Nadira gave Kate a long hard look. “Mr. Slater has the ship. Mr. Cruse has the coordinates. I have the key. What exactly do you have?”For the first time Kate looked flustered.

I stared at Kate in disbelief. “I know, I know,” she said, walking toward me, hands raised as if to calm a dangerous beast. “She’s not coming,” I said.”She’s coming.””She can’t.””She’s coming.

You’ve no fear of heights,” puffed the girl.”None,” I said.”I’ve heard that about you.

I had no idea there’d be so many Sherpas aboard!” exclaimed Miss Simpkins.”I’m not a Sherpa,” Nadira said. “I’m a gypsy.””Oh, my goodness!” said the chaperone.

This way,” she said, veering toward the roof’s edge. “Can you jump?””Oh, I can jump!””Then jump!

I could not help staring back, for they made quite a contrast: Kate’s pale skin and elegant purple suit, Nadira’s dusky skin and exotic fiery sari.”Do we clash?” Nadira said dryly.”We certainly do,” said Kate....