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ThecompanyCarlworks for creates what is essentially a virus, but is used for medical research and disease eradication that, in the right hands, will be life-changing for many people.Inthe wrong hands, it could be altered to become a deadly biological weapon.Myagency got a tip that someone atCarl’scompany is looking to sell the research and the information on how to weaponize it to the highest bidder.

Sowe did surveillance and discovered which employees might have access to the information we needed and came up withCarl.Underneaththe nerves,Carlis a good guy.Itwasn’t hard to turn him.

Carlnods. “I’msure.”Thenhe glances around again like he’s worried he’s talking loudly enough for someone to hear.He’snot, though— he’s barely talking loudly enough for me to hear, and only becauseIcan lip read.

Besides, the elderly couple behind me is currently getting very concerned that investigators didn’t find a key piece of evidence that they’re sure is important, and they’re wondering if maybe they should call “the authorities.”Thediscussion with the couple behindCarlis now focusing on video games, which is making their hand movements rather animated, and the guy diagonal from me on a first date is telling a story about how he simultaneously saved a life, stopped a drug deal, and returned a kid’s stuffed penguin to him.

Iam trained to listen to multiple conversations at once, and none of the surrounding tables are even attempting to make it a challenge for me by speaking in hushed tones.Carlreally has nothing at all to worry about.Heeither senses it or sees the lack of worry on my face because he continues.

“Theperson they’re passing it off to is a woman in her mid-twenties, about five foot seven, wearing a ‘sundress’— whatever that means— and carrying a dark pink purse.”

“Didthey mention hair color?”

“Oh.Brunette.Iknew my nerves were going to make me forget a detail.”

Speakingof brunettes,I’mhaving a hard time not letting more of my attention go to the woman on the first date at the table diagonally from me.Especiallybecause her date just said, “Canyou keep a secret?” and the woman responded with “Occasionally,” which made me internally chuckle a bit.Maybebecause the response is unusual.Mostpeople respond with something along the lines of “Ofcourse,” even when they have no intention of keeping the secret.

Iperk up even more when the date’s next words are, “Ialso do some spy work for theCIA.”

Thedate who can’t stop talking about himself is aCIAasset?Myagency often does joint projects or missions with theCIA.Iknow pretty well how things work there, and my gut tells me he’s not an asset.Whatkind of asset shares that kind of info on a first date, especially right after the date said she might not keep the secret?Theasset across from me isn’t even telling his wife and they’ve been married for twenty-five years today.I’mso curious to know how the woman is reacting to that bit of news.

ButI’ma professional, and my eyes don’t leaveCarl’s. “Whereare they meeting?”

“Anoutdoor pedestrian mall just outside ofBaltimore, offI-70.”

“Iknow the place.”It’seven closer to the agency than this restaurant is.

“It’llhappen somewhere in the courtyard area.Itsounds like near some outdoor tables by a café.Theguy is supposed to just drop it in her purse as he walks by, not stop and talk to her or anything.”

Inod. “Abrush pass.”

Awaiter is heading our way, eyes on us, so we both stop talking.Andnow the guy on the first date is saying that theCIAgave him a badge, andI’mtrying not to roll my eyes at how hard he is trying to impress.Whenhe mentions it being so shiny and gold,Ilegitimately worry a laugh might escape me on accident.Maybehe’s confusing theCIAwith theFBI?

Evenmore curiosity about how the woman is reacting gets me to look in her direction.AllIcan see of the guy is the back of his head, butIcan see the woman’s face, and she is clearly not buying his story.Sheresponds with, “Idon’t think they give badges to assets.”

Theyreally don’t.Theyrarely even take assets insideCIAheadquarters.It’shard to make adversaries believe you aren’t working with theCIAif they spot you walking right into the building.

“Yeah,” her date says, “you probably got that from watchingTVshows.Theynever get things atLangleyright.Theygive badges to high-value assets.”

Whenthe waiter reaches our table, he looks at me and asks, “MayItake your order, sir?”

Ishake my head. “No.I’mjust an old friend who came over to say hello.”

Thenthe waiter turns toCarland asks about his wife which is taking valuable time, andIneed to vacateCarl’swife’s seat soon.Yeta small part of me is grateful for the waiter’s distraction because it lets me focus on the train wreck of a first date going on at the next table.

“Stickwith me,Mackenzie,” the date says, “and you’ll get the inside scoop on a lot of exciting and dangerous missions.I’mbetting you don’t have enough excitement in your life.Peoplerarely do.”

Sothe woman’s name isMackenzie.

“Idon’t know about that,”Mackenziesaid. “Justyesterday,Ihad a patient who learned how to twist open a bottle ofDr.Pepperafter having carpal tunnel surgery.Thatwas pretty exciting.”

It’sthe first timeI’veheard the woman get a chance to say anything about her life.Thenshe changes the subject. “Theroasted chicken breast with mushrooms andParmesanrisotto looks so good.Whatare you getting?”

Herdate closes his menu and says, “Youknow how sometimes you go to a restaurant you love and decide to try something new and it just turns out disappointing?I’vebeen here many times before.Iknow what’s good.Letme order for you— then you won’t have to worry about getting something disappointing.”

“That’sokay,”Mackenziesays. “Ilike living on the wild side.”

Ismile.Ilike her.