“Justkidding!”Charliesays. “Iactually think she really likes you.”
“Youdo?”I’membarrassed at how the words come out because they sound so full of hope.AndI’mback to being in middle school and asking my friend, who is friends with a girlIlike if he thinks that girl likes me.Istop scratchingRoxy’sshort fur and stand up, looking in the direction ofMackenzie’sstreet.
Thisis a covert mission.Ineed my head in the game.
Variousmissions have taken me all over the country and all over the world.It’sstrange to be on a mission in the townIgrew up in.Thetown where my mom, my sister, and one of my brothers still live.Onthe streetsIwalked many times as a kid.Infact,Ithink a kid in my fifth-grade class,Robert, lived just down this street.
“Abrahamis here, too,”Charliesays through my earpiece. “Hesays, ‘Goodluck, have fun, and don’t die.’”
Ofcourse, he does.
“Healso says that if the romance thing doesn’t work out, he can make you a great disguise so you can try again as a different person.”
“TellhimIsaid thanks for knowing how to boost a guy’s confidence.”
“Mackenzie’sdoor just opened,”Charliesays.
Mackenzie’ssister,Maggie, is too perceptive and called the police yesterday to report theFBIagent stationed to watch their home as a stalker.Sohaving an agent close by— at least during waking hours— is no longer an option.Soa tech team went in during the night to install cameras aimed atMackenzie’shouse and down both directions of her street.It’sactually pretty handy forCharlieto be able to watch those instead of having to coordinate with theFBIagent.
Istart to stretch my leg muscles, likeI’mabout to go for a run.Idon’t actually start walking, though, untilCharliesays in my ear, “Okay, she’s nearing your street.”
“It’sgo time,”Isay toRoxy, and she seems to know exactly whatImean.Westart walking down the street to whereMackenzieis about to turn from her street onto ours, andRoxyis walking like she’s in a dog show, showing off her beautiful self and her stately stroll.
Ipull out my phone and keep my eyes looking down at it whenCharlietells me thatMackenzieis almost at the corner.It’sbest for believability ifMackenzienotices me first.
“Jace?”
Ilook up whenIhear my name said in a disbelieving tone.
“Mackenzie!”Ilook around, like seeing her in these surroundings is so surprising. “Whatare you doing here?”
Shemotions in the direction she just came from. “Ilive just down that street.Whatare you doing here?”
“Seriously?Thatclose?”Igesture at the street leading toCharlie’sapartment. “Mysister lives just around the corner.Sheis working late, so she asked me to take the dog she’s sitting on a walk for her.”Giannalives inCloakwood, soIcouldn’t exactly sayIpickedRoxyup from her home.Butit’s true thatCharlie’sapartment really is that close toMackenzie’s.
Becomingan intelligence agency field operative should come with an honorary acting degree because our lives often depend on our ability to do just that.
Mackenziecrouches down in front of the dog and starts scratching at the sides of her neck, just likeIwas a moment ago. “Well, aren’t you the most beautiful thing?”Sheglances up at me. “What’sits name?”
“Roxy.”
“Youare such a good girl,Roxy.”
Thegreyhound knows she’s getting praise and it makes her pull out her best “Dogshow” poses even more.Thisdog lives on praise.
“Doyou walk her often?”
Inod. “Oncea week or so.”That’sa lie.Sortof.Iplay with her at least once a week orItake her to the hills nearby to run on some trails.Irarely walk her in town.
Mackenziestands up. “Ican’t believe we’ve never run into each other before!”Asif she can’t keep from petting the dog, she reaches a hand out to pet the top ofRoxy’shead. “Wouldyou two like to join me?”
Ilook down. “Whatdo you say,Roxy?”
Asif she’s one hundred percent dedicated to this mission going well,Roxygives a happy yip.
Ichuckle. “Ithink that’s a yes from both of us.”
Ido remember that this is a mission, soIam excellent at keeping an eye out for anyone who might be following us.Isee no one suspicious, though, soIhonestly think that the buyer never figured out whoMackenzieis.Orif they did tap into the grainyCCTVfeeds at the outdoor mall, they also sawLedgersteal her purse and assume that he’s the one with the key.
