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"You know," Albert said, trying to sound casual, but sounding instead like he was delivering a well-rehearsed speech "I read in a book where in the old days--I o search out new territory You know, to find gold or oil or spices Of course these explorers would have to be tough and be able to deal with all kinds of proble "You want to hire me to explore this lake"

"Yes"

Sam looked around at the sand "Well, as you can see, I’ Just waited and watched Sa a fly

"You don’t want the council to know about this Why?"

Albert shrugged "Anything the council hears about, the whole town knows ten seconds later You want panic? Anyway, it’s not about the it Me and you And a couple of other kids to back you up"

"Why not just send Brianna? She’d get there fast"

"I don’t trust her Not for so like this I mean, Sam, we could be in trouble on water really soon Ilater, after that, maybe half a dozen more runs"

Sam fell silent He drew little abstract shapes in the sand, thinking

"I’ll do it," Sa it secret from Edilio"

Albert pressed his lips into a line Like he was thinking But Sam could see Albert had an answer ready "Look, secrets don’t last long in this place For exa story all over town"

Saroaned Had to be Taylor, he reproached hi to tell Astrid? Not that it was really her business They’d never said he couldn’t see anyone else, er, Astrid had told him to do just that Only she hadn’t said "make out" She’d used a phrase he’d been a little shocked to hear couy," Albert said, breaking in on Sahts "But like I said, he’ll tell the rest of them Once the council knows, everyone knows If everyone kno desperate things are, what do you think will happen?"

Sareat The other half will freak"

"And people will end up getting killed," Albert said He cocked his head sideways, trying his best to look like the idea had just occurred to hi butts? Who will end up playing Daddy and then be resented and blaained new skills," Sa harder than anyone else and being a how to manipulate people"