Today was only the second day of a much needed vacation and making the decision to go to the gym had come in a weak moment. Now, as she neared the end of her workout, the muscles in her legs were weak and burning. She gritted her teeth and bared down on the pedals, giving up her last bit of energy. Just as the digital readout clicked over to read twenty miles, she began to ease off, letting her muscles adjust to stopping. Finally, as she let her feet slip out of the pedals, she slumped over the handlebars with sweat pouring down her neck and between her breasts, her heart thundering in her ears.
As she sat, her cell phone began to ring. Wearily, she slid off the bicycle seat and walked toward the bench where shed left a fresh towel and her phone, wondering as she did, who could have possibly known she was here. As she picked it up to answer, she remembered shed left Call Forwarding on her phone.
Hello?
Alicia, we havent heard from you in a while.
The cool, almost impersonal tone in her mothers voice had long since ceased to hurt her. She draped the fresh towel around her neck and began mopping perspiration as she dropped onto the bench.
Ive beengone, Ally said, hesitating on the last word. There was never any option about discussing the cases she worked on with anyone, parent or no. In fact, discussion about SPEAR was nonexistent, because to the general public, SPEAR did not even exist.
We assumed as much. Then, as if it was no big deal, Mavis Corbin added, Next week is your birthday, but your father and I are going to be out of the country. So, Happy Birthday, Alicia and many more.
Ally ignored a quick surge of disappointment. It wasnt the first time this had happened. It wouldnt be the last.
Thank you, Mother, Ally said. Where are you going this time?
Egypt. A whole new burial ground has been discovered. Your father is so excited. This is very important to us, you know.
Ally grinned bitterly. She knew all too well what was important to her parents and she was low on the list. Yes, Mother, I know. Have a good trip and thanks for calling.
Youre welcome, dear. Take care.
Before Ally could respond, the line went dead. She hung up the receiver and headed for the showers. She had a sudden urge for a milkshake and a chocolate doughnut. Instead, a half hour later she was standing in line, waiting for her order of black coffee and a plain bagel to be filled.
Four-fifty, the clerk said, handing her a white sack with the top neatly folded and a steaming cup of coffee.
She paid, stuffed her change in the pocket of her sweatpants and headed for the door. It wasnt until she was unlocking her car and the sack bumped against the door that she realized there was something more than a bagel inside. The hair crawled on the back of her neck as she slid behind the steering wheel and locked herself in. Then she set her coffee cup in the holder on the dash and opened the sack.
The small black cassette in the bottom of the sack could only mean one thing.
Well, hell, Ally muttered, as she slid the cassette into the stereo on the dash. Jonahs deep, gravelly voice was familiar, as was the unusual way in which shed been contacted. It was typical of the anonymity of SPEAR. Ordinarily she would have been excited about a new assignment, but she hadnt even been home long enough to do laundry
or have an all-night session watching her favorite movies.
She started the car, listening to the tape as she drove toward home, every now and then allowing herself a frown as she pinched off bites of the bagel and poked them into her mouth.
As far as assignments went it was unusual, although she couldnt find fault with the location. Shed heard of the spa on Condor Mountain and had no problem at all taking advantage of some free R and R. And Easton Kirby, who was now the manager of the place, was a legend within the agency. Her curiosity piqued as Jonahs spare remarks began to sink in. If she understood him correctly, and she was certain she did because Jonah was not a man to leave anything to the imagination, Jonah needed Easton Kirby on active duty and Kirby had refused. The tape ended with a final order.
Ally was to change his mindin any way that she could.
She ejected the tape and tossed it back into the sack, well aware that within thirty seconds of it having been played, it would go blank, leaving no trace of ever having been recorded upon. She pulled into the driveway of her house and punched the garage door opener. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes snapping angrily as she waited for the garage door to go up.
Change his mind? she muttered, her voice dripping with sarcasm. And how am I supposed to do thatdrive him mad with my womanly wiles?
Seconds later she pulled into the garage, lowered the door and then got out, but only after the door was completely shut. Her house key was in her hand as she swept the garage with a casual gaze before making a move toward the door. Once inside, she dumped her sweaty gym clothes on the washer and the bagel sack in the trash, then downed the last of her coffee before adding the empty cup to the lot.