I'm not Rick Riordan or any of the other epic writers of the 39 Clues series. I do not own the 39 Clues.
Mrs. Hardy was giving a trig class to the juniors one Wednesday morning in early February. None of the kids were really listening.
Seventeen-year-old Amy Cahill sat in the back of the class, her math book propped up in front of her and a biography of Winston Churchill in her lap.
When the final bell rang, she gathered her books and walked out the door—right into Stephanie Turner and her posse.
"Hey, nerd," Stephanie said, bumping into Amy and sending her books flying. "How are you doing?"
Amy picked up her books and stood up. "Excuse me," she said coolly to Stephanie.
Stephanie stepped aside with exaggerated politeness, and then stuck out her foot to trip Amy as she walked by.
Three years ago, Amy would've tripped over that foot. Now, she simply stepped over it and walked down the hall.
Amy Cahill had always had trouble with bullies—it just took one thing to change how she dealt with them.
It was all because of the clue hunt.
Amy ran down the front steps of the high school and raced across the soccer field to the middle school. She reached the front steps of the middle school just as the final bell rang. Kids streamed out of the front doors, and the clatter of a skateboard told Amy that her brother was out.
Fourteen-year-old Dan rode his skateboard down the ramps on the side of the steps, and kick flipped at the bottom. "Hey," he said to Amy. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Amy said, walking with him down the street towards their apartment. "Just Stephanie Turner."
"Again?" Dan hopped onto his skateboard and slowly cruised next to her. "Why didn't you use those wushu moves I showed you?" he demanded.
Amy shook her head. "I don't think kung-fu will work on Stephanie Turner," she said.
"Sure it will!" Dan said as they turned onto their street. "All you have to do it make a few kicks and the creampuff will run away screaming!"
Amy laughed as she fished her key out of her purse. "That's very Madrigal of you, Dan," she said as they reached the door to their apartment house. "I thought we were supposed to be discouraging violence?" She put the key in the lock and they walked in.
"But in this case, the violent approach is the only way to go!" Dan argued, picking up his skateboard as they climbed the stairs.
Amy just shook her head at him as they entered their apartment. Something smelled really good. "Nellie?" Amy called.
"Hey, kiddos!" Nellie called from the kitchen. She walked in, wiping her hands on a dishtowel. "My class was canceled, so I came home and did some cooking." She headed back to the kitchen. "Oh, there's a letter for you two on the table in the den," she called over her shoulder.
Amy and Dan raced into the den. Dan grabbed the letter first, but Amy snatched it out of his hand and ripped it open. "Who's it from?" Dan asked, grabbing the envelope. He read the return address. "It's from Mr. McIntyre!" he exclaimed, and Amy read the letter out loud:
Dear Amy and Dan,
I am sorry I haven't contacted you for a while, but I felt it was best for you to rest and have normal lives for a short while before continuing work for the Cahills.
"He calls three years a short while?" Dan asked. Amy shushed him and continued:
It is time, now, to restart your work for the Madrigals and the rest of the family. As I told you three years ago after you exited the gauntlet, there is a completely different family set on taking over the world. The Cahills are the only family that can stop them. It is up to you two, and the others, to begin what may become a battle between the two families.
I will contact you again shortly. Meanwhile, your associates will be arriving in Boston, February 12th.
"Associates? What?" Dan asked. Amy shrugged. "I don't know," she said, "but tomorrow's the 12th." She finished the letter:
I look forward to seeing you two soon.
Sincerely,
William McIntyre
Amy and Dan looked at each other. "What the...?" Dan started.
Amy shrugged. "I don't know," she said. "But...I guess we're going to find out soon."