Page 85 of Jonesing for a Spy

Our agent? It was an operative who almost killed Strider? What the hell is going on?

“Your agent damn near killed him. What the hell kind of op were you running?” Shit. Fuck. That went too far.

“Are you questioning me, Jones?”

“If there’s an op on U.S. soil, and an agent in a non-life-threatening situation violently strangles a target without cause, in front of witnesses, then I’m sure as hell questioning what’s going on.”

“The Smith family is much like the Joneses if you must know. Long history of undercover service, Secret Service members, highly positioned, highly compromise-able public figures. Sal lost his cool. Not that it’s any of your business, but he’s been under for months and discovered his wife filed for divorce last week. He has two young daughters. He’s doing the job, being everything we ask him to be, and his life is falling apart. Just as we’re close to discovering the truth inside Anderson’s organization, he got canned. He lost it. Not justifying it, but this case could make or break a career, and he lost access at the tail end after his wife just bailed. He failed to keep his cool, but he never blew his cover.”

Am I supposed to celebrate that some man named Sal didn’t blow his cover and got away with what amounts to attempted murder? “What about the charges against him?” I’m so pissed that my voice barely scrapes above a whisper.

“There are no charges. We made them go away.”

So the man I’m committed to has no recourse and the government has no remorse? Got it.

“I’m not okay with that. I’ve seen the bruises. Smith should stand for the charges, regardless of his personal situation.”

“And if the same had happened to you in Taiwan?”

“I didn’t lose my cool and almost kill someone, so there’s no comparison.”

“You’re not thinking clearly, Jones. You’re in way too deep on this. Personally, I don’t want to consider you could be compromised, but professionally, you’re way too close. You’re on administrative leave until further notice. And if, for one second, I think Anderson’s been tipped off to our investigation, I’ll haul you in for questioning or treason or whatever charges I can get to stick.”

He disconnects, and I’m left speechless. What the hell just happened?

My phone ringing over Bluetooth scares the shit out of me. I force a smile and answer.

“Hey, honey. Did you have a safe touchdown?”

My apartment is too quiet. My laptop won’t accept my credentials. My solitary life has never been a problem. Somehow, my day has gone from rough to downright oppressive.

I don’t want to go to my Dad. Jamie’s also out. Mom is… Fuck. She’s the best choice because there’s no other choice. If one thing irks me, it’s not having a choice, and that scenario is staring me in the face.

You busy?

Mom

Running errands and bored. Want to come along?

No. Not really.

Sure. Want to come get me or want me to meet you?

Let me drop off the groceries and I’ll be there. Twenty work?

I stare at the clock, but there’s no reason to. It’s not like I have somewhere to be.

No problem.

Once I’ve filled a bottle of water and made sure I have my sunglasses and phone, I stare out the window toward the house the renters just vacated and verify the cleaning crew has arrived. I wait for Mom and dread that she’ll pull up in her flashy roadster. She doesn’t. She’s in her SUV. It’s a luxury one, in fitting with her over-the-top personality, and trimmed in the softest caramel leather. The long sunroof is open over the first and second rows and some early 90’s music is blaring as she flies into the driveway.

So it’s going to be that kind of day.

36

accidentally activated

Mirren