Zach's Lie

Zach returns to the Nevada Hotel, deciding to speak to Peter in the morning. He lies to Sam about where he was, insisting everything is fine, but Sam knows Zach is in trouble. Sam shares that as a little boy, he loved music and was a good musician. Sam also excelled at languages. Sam attended different schools and became a spy, rising to the rank of colonel in the KGB. Sam married and had a son, but while he was embedded in another country, his son became ill. Sam’s employers did not tell Sam. Sam’s son died, and his wife left him. Sam was furious at the KGB and suspected they would soon eliminate him. Inspired by music from his childhood, Sam decided to share their secrets and defected to the United States, where he has hidden from the KGB for twenty years.

Finally, Zach stops pretending that nothing is wrong. Sam knows about Zach’s situation and Neil’s journals; he saw the men in Zach’s house and says that it is too late to fix things. Sam will reach out to old spy friends to contact Zach’s handlers and alert the U.S. Marshals to intercept Mary and Wanda. Sam will take Zach to the sheep camp for safety. Sam does not carry a gun, relying instead on subterfuge.

Peter, tied up on Aznar’s plane, gives in to Aznar’s deadly threats and tells everything he knows, including where Zach is staying. Catalin, frustrated at being unable to reach Sam by phone, goes to the hotel.

Zach feels guilty for ruining their new lives in Elko. Sam reassures him that it is not his fault: Aznar knew they were in Elko and would have found them eventually. Sam did not mention Neil’s journal to his own handler, assuming that Neil is using it to make a “deal.” Zach angrily asserts that Neil is not making a deal but wants to take down Aznar and assure his family is safe. Sam calms Zach down. If they encounter Aznar, Sam wants Zach to trust him and follow his directions. Zach agrees. At the sheep camp, Zach worries about Mary and Wanda and about leaving Catalin.

Alonzo Aznar captures Catalin when she visits Zach’s room at the hotel, and he takes Benat hostage. Aznar, henchman Paul, and the hostages go to the sheep camp. Aznar sends Benat into the tent with Ander, Sam, and Zach. Aznar claims no one will be hurt if Sam gives up Zach. Sam tells Zach to “remember the number eight” (197). Aznar, wielding a gun, enters the tent. He promises to let Catalin go if he gets the journal. Sam demands he release Catalin first. Aznar reluctantly agrees. Zach gives Aznar the backpack but is surprised when the drug lord pulls out opera magazines, instead of Neil’s journal: Sam made a switch. Aznar moves to shoot Catalin, but Sam says he will never get the journal if he kills anyone. Sam, Zach, Aznar, and Paul return to Elko where Sam has hidden the journal.

Zach thinks Sam is so calm that he must have a plan. Zach also believes Aznar will kill them both after he gets the journal. Sam directs them to Elko Middle School where Neil’s journal is in his workroom under the stage. Sam promises Aznar they “won’t spring any traps” on him, making Zach think Sam is trying to give him a message (202). In the auditorium, Sam’s punching bag sits in the center of the stage. In Sam’s workroom, Zach’s Jack in the Box is on Sam’s recliner in the center of the room: its usual lock was replaced with one of the padlocks from the trapdoors. Sam has set a trap, placing the heavy bag on the trapdoor above the box, creating an “upside-down Jack in the Box” (205). Sam gives the key to Aznar, who opens the box and finds Commander IF. Zach pulls the trapdoor lever, dropping the bag on Aznar and knocking him out. Sam fights and disarms Paul. Zach retrieves Commander IF.

Uncle Don and the marshals arrest Aznar and Paul. They rescue Peter from Aznar’s plane and arrest Berry and Aznar’s pilot. Mary and Wanda are safe. Uncle Don says that Aznar can still get to the family from prison, so Zach will be leaving Elko for a new life immediately. Zach denies knowing anything about Neil’s journal. Zach thanks Sam, who promises to get the journal to Neil and to tell Catalin the truth. Zach worries that Aznar’s organization will come after Sam, but Sam refuses to hide, saying he can take care of himself. He wants to “stay with his flock” (208).

Zach writes a letter to Catlin. He apologizes for not writing sooner, but his handlers would not allow him to write until the family was ready to leave for their new lives, and only under the condition that they read the letter first, considering the trouble his writing caused in Elko. Zach says that his sister is angry at the move and losing the part in the musical, but his mom is handling the situation well. Zach wishes he were in the mountains with Catalin and Benat and wishes he could keep in touch, but this will be his only letter. He also wishes he could send himself in the letter, but instead encloses Commander IF, hoping he will be as good a friend to Catalin as he was to Zach.

Zach is now Mack Greene, a name he chose himself, and Wanda, looking more like the original Joanne, is now Christine. The U.S. Marshals appropriated Aznar’s private jet to use for witness relocation. When Mack and Christine board the plane they find that their mom, who has been testifying for the DEA against Aznar, is already on board. Mrs. Greene is unusually happy as she greets them. The pilot introduces himself over the speaker system and says his co-pilot will introduce himself. A thin, blonde-haired man with “tired blue eyes” enters the cabin (211). He is Robert Greene who is, in fact, Neil. Mack and Christine run to him.