Ten Little Spies: Episode 2: True Lies

Episode 2: 

True Lies

~ Chapter Two~

"Hey Alison. They need you down in crypto-analysis."

Bobbie Sullivan walked up to the petite blond and tapped her on the shoulder. She didn't turn around, instead she grabbed his forearm and heaved him over her shoulder. Seconds stretched to hours as he thought he might meet his maker sooner than he realized. His body hit the ground and before he could regain his breath, her hand captured his windpipe in a vice-like grip.

"You're not Alison, are you? Bobbie croaked.

"What was your first clue, hot shot?" Her voice was more high-pitched than sultry, more child-like than adult, but there was no doubt as to whether she could kill him or not. Kaye Corday was not someone people messed with, which is what made her such a good operative.

He massaged his throat as he backed away from the blond wonder. "I think it was the super-human strength."

Kaye didn't seem like she was big enough to bench press more than 60lbs, but she could flatten a 175lb man like he was no heavier than a feather.

"Remind me to never sneak up on you again, and to not get on your bad side."

Bobbie rubbed his throat, sure there was an ugly bruise forming.

"Was that really necessary?" His throat struggled for air making his voice sound raspy.

"In my line of work, if you don't react with intention and force... you die."

"I'll remember that." He introduced himself to Kaye. He was sure he had never met her during a mission before, and he would have remembered since she looked exactly like Alison."You don't happen to know anything about crypto-analysis, do you?"

"Sorry, sport. That is her gig. I'm more of an action kind of gal." It was obvious Kaye had been down in the gym working on her boxing moves. Her hands were still bound with tape.

"I see that." He breathed deeply, finally feeling like the air had returned to his lungs, but his heart beat a rapid-fire rhythm.

"If you do see her, tell her I'm looking for her." He edged around Kaye making sure not to touch her or even accidently brush against her. He didn't want to experience that feeling of helplessness ever again.

Bobbie scurried from the hallway and to his office in Com. When he was alone again, he breathed a sigh of relief. How could he have mistaken Kaye for Alison? They may have looked alike, but as people, they couldn't be more different.

"Alison," he whispered to himself. "Where are you?"

***

"I'll let you get back to your fascinating, yet incredibly shallow existence." Jazz Demarco didn't mind putting off her customers. She knew they would come back for more. Everyone always came back for more. The Wolf's Den was the most popular club in Europe.

While the bartender went on break, Jazz took the opportunity to slide behind the counter and interact one-on-one with the fray of London.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite blind, nowhere man." Jazz smiled at Ethan but her grin was lost on him.

"Jazz. There is no mistaking that throaty purr." Ethan Fairchild said, sliding onto a barstool.

"A curse of genetics," she said with a laugh. What will it be tonight?"

"A beer in the bottle and a side dose of twenty-twenty vision."

She sat a dark ale in front of him. He could hardly hear her set the bottle down. The club was noisy which was per usual during the weekly rush. She leaned in closer to pickup his low baritone a bit better. The blue lights of the club's interior slashed across his face in horizonal stripes making Ethan look more like a Smurf than a spy.

Jazz didn't have much time to look upon Ethan's handsome face before two known Black Council operatives came in through the back door while three entered from the front. She knew Ethan's vision was not a good as it could be, so she dragged him into the back room toward her office.

"What's going on, Jazz?" Ethan asked as he stumbled along.

"You've got to get out of here!" Jazz tried to pull him toward the back room, but he chose that moment to stand his ground. She stepped in front of him and pushed on his chest. "You're nearly blind for God sakes! Now is not the time for this macho crap!"

The danger man still stood his ground awaiting the BC troopers. "Ethan Fairchild does not run away from a stand off." His voice held a hard edge that said he was ready to go down fighting.

"You may not usually run away like a frightened girl, but you do now!" Jazz motioned for her bouncer to head off the three BC operatives angling in from the front while two of her regulars approached the men in back.

"You can't see, so I'll be your eyes." Jazz grabbed his hand and led him to the exit next to her office. They weaved in and out of narrow hallways until her office appeared, brightly lit. Ethan winced at the sudden illumination.

"Jazz, what am I going to do when they eventually come in here? I had more room to fight out in the nightclub. It's not like I can race out the back way and hop into my sporty red convertible." Ethan motioned toward his eyes. "I'm nearly blind!"

"Don't you think I know that, you idiot? I'm not going to hide you in my office. I'm going to get you out of here." Jazz grabbed her purse and Ethan's hand. They had made it to the alley when a lone BC agent stepped into the single pool of light staining the alleyway. A red laser sight painted Ethan's chest.

"It's over." The operative aimed his gun at the two people. The man's unexpected voice halted both of them. Two single shots flew in their direction. It sounded no louder than a puff of air. Jazz and Ethan both crumpled to the ground in front of the stranger.

***

By the time the emergency vehicle had arrived at the apartment building, Jared Quinn had inhaled enough of the noxious gas to render him helpless. The EMTs found him unconscious slumped in the doorway to the bedroom with the phone still in his grasp.

The Legacy cleaners arrived shortly after the ambulance, taking in the scene and extracting any clues about what had transpired inside the bedroom. One item they extracted was the still smoking blue candle.

Hours later, Jared was roused when a man's shouting disturbed his slumber.

"You've got to let me in there," the voice shouted. "I need to see her."

The sound of busy feet scuffled to intercept the man. "I'm sorry Mr. Sullivan. But you can't go in there. Miss Corday's condition is grave. We don't expect her to live."

"No!" he said with a strained voice. "She has to live. You have to save her!"

To Jared the conversation sounded far away, as if at the far end of a hallway, but somehow he knew they were closer than that.

"We're doing everything we can, but we have a similar situation with another operative. It must be pretty hush-hush because even the Director himself was down here an hour ago."

Jared struggled to gain complete consciousness. He needed to know what was going on and where exactly he was. From the smells in the room, he guessed it was some sort of hospital environment. It was then the name Sullivan registered in his head.

"Bobbie," he said with as much effort as he could muster. Something had really knocked him for a loop. "Bobbie Sullivan!"

It took every effort Jared had to focus on the doorway anticipating Bobbie's entrance. The noise level in the corridor quieted when the door to Jared's room opened. The form filling the doorway appeared blurry. Jared blinked to clear his vision.

"What happened," he asked the man, assuming it was Bobbie Sullivan.

"Thank God you're all right." Bobbie Sullivan, Legacy controller and resident genius, pulled up a chair to Jared's bedside and sat down.

"You have to tell me what happened." Jared asked slowly, the words falling from his mouth like molasses. "Is Kaye alive?"

"Kaye? Of course, she's alive. I think she's pretty upset at the moment because the doctor's won't let her in to see her sister, Alison."

Jared released the breath he hadn't realized he had been holding. "Then she's okay? What happened at my apartment didn't cause her to die?"

Bobbie was confused and his face mirrored his emotion. "I think you must have the twins confused. Lord knows even I did that earlier today. But Alison was the twin at your apartment, not Kaye. Kaye is perfectly fine. Alison, however, isn't fairing very well, I'm afraid."

His heart hammered in his throat. "It was Alison and not Kaye?"

"Right," Bobbie said slowly. "Didn't you know that?"

Jared didn't answer, instead he asked a different question. "What happened to her -- to us?"

"We've only had a few hours to research it, but from what we can tell, someone sent you a message via a candle calling card."

"The candle? The candle did this?" Jared's head throbbed.

"Yeah, we're pretty sure. Besides the noxious fumes pouring out of the candle, the jerk who sent it left you a little note."

Jared leaned up but Bobbie pushed him back down onto the bed. "There is nothing either one of us can do for her now, so try to rest, and I'll try not to strangle Nurse Lurch in the hallway out there." Bobbie laughed as he left the room.

"Calling card?" Jared whispered to himself. "I have to get out of here and find out what is going on." He tried to sit up, but his body refused to cooperate. A few moments of exertion drained all his energy. It took only a few minutes for his body to surrender to the exhaustion.

***

"What is she doing here?"

Bobbie Sullivan wasn't exactly sure how Dyan Ransom had located her sister in the secret Legacy infirmary, but he wasn't about to confront her on the issue. She looked as mad as a hatter and twice as mean.

"Where is she?" Dyan spoke with a low, firm tone, as if some sort of evil was bubbling up from inside her soul. "Where in the hell is my sister! If someone doesn't start talking..." She let the threat hang in the air. Everyone, including Nurse Lurch, was pretty sure she could make good on any promise. Bobbie backed away from the scene but Nurse Lurch approached the woman, she obviously didn't have a similar respect for herself and her own preservation as he did.

"I'm sorry, but only authorized personnel on this level. Please leave before I have you forcibly removed." The nurse may have been twenty years older than Dyan, but her age didn't effect her confidence. She had that in spades.

From behind Dyan appeared a well built man wearing a designer suit, silk shirt and shoes that cost more than the nurse's weekly pay. His eyes were stern and it was obvious that he expected the nurse to comply with his wants.

"You must not know who I am --" Adrian Zeller attempted to dip into his usual spiel about how his money could buy anything, even entrance to cordoned off areas, but Nurse Lurch would have none of it. It seemed money wasn't a motivating factor for her.

"I don't care who you are, how much money you have or what fancy duds you wear. Unless you have access to this level by permission of the Director, I suggest you turn around and go back the way you came."

Dyan's eyes blazed liquid fire. "Listen to me, Grandma. I'm not leaving here until I see my sister with my own eyes and make sure she's alive."

"Miss Corday's condition is critical. And as I've told everyone else today, she must not be disturbed." The nurse stood her ground blocking access to both Dyan and Adrian. "Now please leave the premises. I'm sure you don't want me to call in the tactical unit."

The nurse picked up the phone and started to dial, then Dyan turned on her heel and marched in the opposite direction.

"You haven't seen the last of me," she spat, before disappearing behind the security door.

Adrian stopped Dyan in the hallway near a security check point they had managed to by pass earlier. His face was contorted with a controlled rage. His grip bit into her arm.

"Never do that again." His ice blue eyes were cool and deadly. "I don't appreciate being made to look a fool in front of the service sector."

Dyan stood up to his overbearing manner. "Do you think I didn't want to wrap my fingers around that nurse's neck and squeeze? I'm not an idiot. I don't want to be thrown in jail for assault." She began to walk toward the Director's office. "I know a better way."

***

"We've already got Rudy Kent," Jared heard a woman say. He was still feeling a bit groggy, probably due to a sedative given to him by a nurse at the infirmary. He struggled to regain consciousness once again.

"Two more and we'll be set for the time being." The voice was close to him and there was something familiar to its ring and cadence. "I'll get him. You get the girl. Then we're outta here."

There was a man's voice speaking to the woman in low tones. He couldn't see the newcomers. Jared's eyes felt almost glued shut.

"What..." Jared attempted to speak, but his voice wouldn't cooperate either.

"He's awake," the man said. At that moment, someone entered the room and Jared felt a sharp pin prick in his arm.

"That should keep him docile for the time being," the woman said.

"Time for a swift exodus," the man said. By the time both beds were wheeled to the end of the hallway near a bank of elevators, Jared was able to see both kidnappers more closely.

Jared could feel the drug working its magic on his system. Immediately, he felt loopy. But he managed to open his eyes a fraction before the drug took his body completely over. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. His captors were Dare Ransom and Kaye Corday!

Ten Little Spies: Episode 1: A Candle For A Corpse

Episode 1: 

A Candle for a Corpse

~ Prologue ~

The man named Ezekiel sat at his desk humming an off key tune while he created and formed ten single candles. Each was unique and deadly. Each served a different purpose in the higher plan. He made sure to put his stamp on the bottom. He always did that with all the candle creations he sold in his shoppe.

He packaged each of the candles in separate boxes. Ten little candles for ten little spies, little nuisances. All headed up by the biggest nuisance of all, Franklin Fairchild.

Ezekiel couldn't stop, so he made a few more deadly wax creations. His voice sing-songed as dripping wax flowed over capsules containing various types of dangerous apparatuses.

"Ten little spies, think they're doing fine, one gets dead, then there were nine. Nine little spies, all think it's fate, one gets shocked, then there were eight..." Over and over he repeated the odd melody. He never tired of the ditty. He would only find peace once he had his daughter back and Franklin Fairchild and the Legacy paid for their sins.

The devices on the table top before him were crude but effective. Splashes of candle wax dotted the counter top. Carefully, he submerged each electronic capsule into a wax mold. Ten metal molding forms stood like silent sentinels before him . They were innocuous looking things that usually discharged his charming, aromatic scents. But now, they would mold death into their colorful structures.

Once the wax dried he would have ten very efficient killing machines, all fashioned in the form of an innocent looking candle. He had to admit, it was a genius idea. No one would suspect harm would come from such a pleasing gift. Ezekiel took pride in making the candles elaborately designed, which was almost as important to him as the ticking bomb inside each one of them. Each candle unique. Each candle created to kill.

He was certain, one way or another, one-by-one, by their own hand, each of them would die.

~ Chapter One ~

Dyan Ransom answered the phone saying the words she had uttered at least a thousand times. The voice on the other end of the line was Adrian Zeller, international playboy and owner of Zeller's Specialty Shoppe. His voice sounded devoid of all human emotion. During the call, he informed her he had a few items for her to package and deliver for his father.

It was a very rare occurrence for Adrian to call the shoppe himself. He usually left that task to an underling. He never usually felt the need to make any of his wants about the shoppe made known. It was like he was a stranger in his own business. The man was not a shining example of a CEO. He rarely, if at all, took Zeller's Specialty Shoppe into consideration, except maybe at tax time, and maybe not even then.

A wafting scent of White Diamonds surrounded Dyan as she placed the receiver on the cradle. "Who was that, dear?" An elderly woman parted the curtains that hid the back room from the customer's view. Dagmar Krause was dressed in her usual workday smock, looking every inch the German woman she was.

Dagmar and her husband, Topper, were the only reason Zeller's stayed in business at all. It was because of their love of antiques, quirky knack at picking the best flea market finds, and devotion to Adrian's father, that they pulled in any revenue at all.

"It was Mr. Zeller, himself," Dyan quipped, her violet eyes mirrored how tired she was and it was obvious she hadn't enjoyed the conversation with her playboy boss.

"My, such a sassy tone for so late in the day." Dagmar dragged a broom across the spotless floor. "Was he his usual automated self? I swear, sometimes that man is as emotionless as a walking ice box."

"Apparently, he has a bundle of items he wants us to pick up, wrap and deliver. I guess he forgot how to use the American Postal System."

Dagmar snorted. "That man doesn't know how to do anything for himself."

"And the kicker is that he wants me to personally come over and pick up the items right now. I don't think the man even comprehends that we're short-handed and yet still running a business here."

"I imagine not. The day that man thinks about someone other than himself, is the day hell freezes over."

***

"I can't believe you're doing this," Rudy Kent towered over the small blonde woman in the confined elevator. The muzak was eerie, and the lights a sickly amber. "He's going to find out. Then there will be hell to pay."

"He's not going to find out."

Her voice was child-like and soft. He doubted she would ever come into a sultry tone that would drive men wild. She'd have to rely on her perfect body to do that.

"He's not going to find out," she said with a conviction of not getting caught. "Kaye is out of town. We look exactly alike. He'll never be able to tell the difference."

"Alison, this is crazy," Rudy was definitely not in favor of putting something this big over on Jared. One could never tell how he would react.

"I know," she chuckled with glee. "And so much fun! I want him, and I plan to have him. Sister or no sister."

Alison smiled wickedly at Rudy. "This is going to work. Now all you have to do is keep your mouth shut."

Minutes later after they exited the elevator, they found a delivery boy blocking Jared Quinn's doorway. He signed for the package, and welcomed them both inside his newly refurbished apartment. Like all proud condo owners, he gave them the two cent tour and pointed out the places he had worked on himself.

"Well, you two. Love to stay and catch up, but I have a date." Rudy sent Alison a stern look but she only smiled playfully at him. He was not going to watch her crash and burn. He saluted them both and disappeared around the corner heading for another apartment in the same building.

Jared closed the door trapping the two of them in his apartment alone. "Do I even want to know who the big guy is dating this week?" He placed the package he had forgotten he was holding on the coffee table. "I swear, he has a girl in every port."

"He's playing the field. What man wouldn't?" Alison smiled at him with a twinkle in her eye. She knew exactly where Mr. Kent was going to spend his night tonight. "And I have it on good authority that he's hot for the Hawaiian gal. What's her name?" She struggled to find the name in her memory.

"Nikki Carpenter." Jared knew what it was to fall for a woman like Nikki. The two of them had dated off and on for years, but they never seemed to be able to make it work since Nikki held onto the hope that her partner, Mackenzie Gray, would eventually see her as more than a co-worker.

***

"What are you doing here?" Dyan couldn't believe her luck. What was Dare doing here? Why wasn't he off cavorting with whomever his new conquest of the week was? She didn't need this agony. She only had wanted to wash her face and brush off the dirt from her day before joining Adrian at his mansion to pick up the package he had mentioned.

"Dare, you have to leave me alone. We're separated now." Dyan made her way to the bathroom listening to Dare rant on about the reason for their separation and how he was not in favor of it.

"Not by my choice," Dare Ransom said hostilely. "And I still don't know the reason for the turn around. What happened with us, Di?

"You have to ask? she said with disgust. Dyan turned around to leave, but Dare blocked her exit, slamming a hand against the wall in front of her.

"Not so fast. We're not finished here." His voice was low and lethal. He was tired of trying to figure out why Dyan had filed for divorce.

"Yes," she said, sternly. "Yes, we are finished." She marched out of their home, or what she used to think was their home before he ruined it all with his infidelity, and slammed the door and their past behind her.

***

"Make yourself at home. I'm running a little late, so let me grab a quick shower, then I'll be ready in a flash." Jared disappeared into the already steamy bathroom. She could hear the shower running and giggled to herself. Tonight was going to be the first night of the rest of their lives together. She could see it now. Alison peeked into the bag the delivery boy had dropped off. Inside the cellophane package was a gorgeous and elaborately designed candle. The card attached simply said, "Light me."

"Wow," she commented. "Someone must really like you a lot." Alison noted the familiar EZ on the bottom of the candle. This was an Ezekiel Zeller original. Her sister, Dyan had quite a few similar candles in her own home. She talked to herself as she carried the candle into Jared's bedroom.

"Let's light this and set a romantic mood," she whispered to no one. It was perfect. This was the perfect prop to lure Jared into bed. Nothing could be more perfect.

Alison placed the dark blue marbleized candle on the night stand and lit it. The aroma was amazing. Definitely worth every penny someone had spent on it.

***

"I'm sorry to bring you all the way out here, Ms. Ransom, but it seems my father has already taken to the matter of delivering his gifts." Adrian Zeller motioned toward a high back chair, elaborately carved. Dyan knew it must have cost a fortune. "Please sit."

"I really can't stay long. Mrs. Krause can only handle the shoppe by herself for a limited time."

Adrian nodded. He leaned back, opening his jacked and tugging at his three hundred dollar tie. "I understand, but since you're already here... I thought maybe we could get to know each other better."

Dyan rolled her eyes. She only knew Adrian by reputation, but she was sure his reputation as a notorious ladies man couldn't be far from wrong. She sighed and fidgeted in her chair. What was it about her that attracted men who would could not commit to a monogamous relationship?

"Mr. Zeller, I've worked for you for three years. Why is it you didn't acquaint yourself with me then?"

Adrian smiled, and she could see his mind working on an answer. "I'll be the first to admit how short sighted I've been, but it's taken a lot of my time to prove my father's innocence and get him released from prison."

"Oh." Dyan didn't know what she had been expecting, but it hadn't been that. She never realized that Adrian had personal problems. Who could fathom that a billionaire could be a devoted son to his father, especially such a narcissistic man as Adrian. "I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"Perfectly all right. We've kept the media attention to a minimum. I just wanted to get my father back. It's hard enough knowing I'll never see my little sister again. So, I'm sure you can understand what motivated me to save him."

Dyan didn't ask the obvious question, but Adrian felt compelled to answer it anyway.

"My sister was kidnapped when she was just a child. It was hard on my family, especially my mother. She died a few years after the kidnapping. It was tough on both of us." Adrian repositioned himself in the chair and loosened his tie a bit more. For the first time since she had known him, he looked uncomfortable. "I need my father in my life, Dyan. And I will do anything to keep him safe and out of prison. Anything."

***

Jared Quinn let the hot spray of the shower loosen his shoulders. He'd been looking forward to his date with the beautiful Kaye Corday for weeks. It was something he never thought would happen. Kaye had always been so opposed to agents dating one another. He didn't know what had changed her mind, but he was glad she had reconsidered.

Tonight was going to be a very special night. He had to remember to take it slow. Kaye had been hurt by love before. He didn't want to spook her before they actually had a chance to explore what he knew was pulsing between them.

With only a towel slung over his hips, Jared sauntered into the bedroom. He had his gray slacks and black t-shirt lying on the bed. As the fog around him cleared, he could see Kaye stretched out atop the clothes. Maybe tonight was going to be even better than he imagined.

He sank onto the bed and leaned down putting his lips to Kaye's throat. "I never realized you felt this way about me," he whispered. "I know we've worked together for years, but I've always wanted more. I've always wanted you." He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into him, spooning her back against his front.

It took a few seconds for him to realize Kaye wasn't moving. She looked so alive and vibrant in the soft glow of the candlelight.

"Kaye? Kaye?" Jared shook her. "What's wrong with you?" He shook her again, getting scared now. "Wake up, dammit!"

He put a finger to her slim neck. Her pulse fluttered weakly. "No! No! Not now, dammit!"

Jared reached across the bed to the phone, knocking the candle off the night stand to the floor. It blew out on its way down spiraling wisps of smoke upward. He punched in a series of emergency Legacy numbers into the receiver. "You've got to get here now!" he shouted. "I think Kaye is dying!"

Legacy Plotting Cards

Legacy Plotting Card
For Ethan Fairchild.

I came up with a fun way to help myself plot my book when I get stuck. I call them Legacy Plotting Cards. I made up some sort of oracle cards with possible conflicts, roadblocks and other characters so I could draw out three and see what unique combination they would make. Here is a mocked up card for my main character, Ethan Fairchild.

I know it sounds crazy, but it actually comes up with some good things. I think I'm going to like working with them.

Cloak & Dagger - Episode 8: Twists and Turns

A new episode is added monthly. Look for updates.

Episode 8: Twists and Turns

Kevin Fairchild came alive when he was doing his job. He and Alison Corday entered the flower shoppe nearly at closing time. Alison pretended to peruse the flower section while Kevin located Dena Thorpe.

Ethan watched from outside with Mila at his side as his brother contemplated a way to get the phone number of Boswell from Dena's cell without anyone being the wiser, especially her.

Dena was in her late forties, older than most of Boswell's flings but she looked the type who could keep the old fool in line. Dena was in her office working on paperwork. Kevin motioned to Alison pointing out Dena's position in the flower shoppe. Alison responded with a barely noticeable nod. Kevin stayed in the shadows near the office while Alison worked her magic.

Alison walked toward a young boy who was arranging a display in the front window. He smiled brightly at her and she started to smile back when a strange expression overcame her face. The boy picked up on her expression and walked hesitantly over to her.

"Lady? Are you alright?"

Alison weaved in the isle and collapsed atop the boy throwing them both into a display case causing a loud crash of breaking glass and falling items. The commotion drew Dena from her office and up to the front of the store.

Kevin spied Dena's cell on her desk. Right out in plain view. He snatched it up and searched for Boswell's number in her directory's contact list. He found it quickly and sent a coded message to Boswell. 

Kevin finished his business and placed the phone back into the same position where Dena had left it. People were very savvy these days about noticing when something had been moved. He didn't want even that thought to come into her mind.

As he approached the front of the store, he spied Dena, the boy and Alison. Alison was disheveled with little cuts on her forearms.

"I don't know what happened, " the boy explained. "She just collapsed."

"Are you all right miss?" Dena helped Alison from the floor.

"Yes, I apologize. I get these spells..."

Kevin rushed to Alison's side from across the flower shoppe. "Oh, honey, another one? I can't thank you enough," he said to Dena. "I can't take you anywhere, can I, honey?

"I know. We'll have to pay for this. I'm so sorry." Alison fished in her purse and pulled out some cash.

"No, no. These things happen," Dena said waving off the offer of cash.

Alison and Kevin were in the store less than ten minutes. Mission complete. Now they just had to hope that Boswell received the message and would act quickly.

^^^

The access tunnels beneath the train tracks were long and winding, exactly the reason the Legacy had decided to put their offices here. The app on his Legacy issued phone acted as a filter. The direct route to the auxiliary entrance was literally painted on the walls in a chemical only the app could uncover. Boswell would have put up a sign of his own in a similar way. He was a sneaky bugger.

All three of them used their Legacy phones to scan the walls of the tunnel. They easily found the Legacy markers. Boswell's was a bit more tricky to uncover.

"I think I have something," Alison yelled. Her phone had uncovered an illuminated Chapman's Designs logo with a smart code burried in the center of the ivy covered C.

Kevin used his phone to snap a photo of the image. The smart code took him to a yourvideo.com video. It was a video of Boswell Chapman holding a white sign and singing his off-key rendition of "O Holy Night." Halfway through the video he turned over the sign showing an icon. It was one of the five Legacy icons they used in the tunnel.

When Boswell finished, he turned the sign over again. This time it said: This video will self destruct in five seconds.

By the time the three finished reading the plaque the video began twitching and when the page refreshed, it had taken them to the homepage of YourVideo.com.

"Neat trick," Ethan said. "He must be watching old re-runs of Mission Impossible."

Now that they had the correct icon to follow, Kevin retrieved Mila who had been waiting at the beginning of the tunnel.

"Did you figure out which way to go?" she asked.

"Yeah. We eventually go there. We had to take a left turn at Albuquerque," Kevin said. "Sorry, but I'm going to have to blindfold you."

Mila laughed. "You're breaking into a secret spy agency and yet you're still concerned about its security?"

"Call me sentimental. It's a code I live by." Kevin fashioned the handkerchief around her eyes, grabbed her hand and led her through the tunnel.

They hoped when they reached the entrance that only Boswell was there to greet them.

Episode 7: Desperately Seeking Michela

London was filled with tea rooms, coffee shops and smoothie stands but the London Tea Room was an institution.  Dried leaves of all sorts lined the shelves in decorative glass containers. There was an old -world feeling to the space. Dark wood and aromatic air greeted customers as they entered the shoppe.

The Tea Room conjured warm memories of Mila's childhood with a special blend of peppermint, vanilla and caramel apple. She'd never had all these scents in one place since she was back home in the Forsythe mansion in America. It was strange to think of that place as home but with both of her parents in the service industry, they'd never had the luxury of a real, white picket fenced house.

Now with this latest development, Mila Ferguson was torn. All her life she thought she knew who she was. Now it could all be a bunch of lies. Her father; Mila had to force herself to think of him by his name, Fergus, Chandelor had paid them to watch over her.

Her entire life was one big lie.

Mila tried to block out all the hurt by putting her focus on something else. Something that would keep her from replaying that horrible moment over and over.

The three at the next table were easy to focus on. The blonde lady was quite beautiful even though she was dressed in dark jeans and a ragged hoodie. The two men had their own sort of good looks. Neither was Hollywood handsome but she doubted either had trouble finding dates. The three of them were the perfect distraction from her horrible day.

Mila couldn't hear everything they were saying, but once they mentioned Michela's name, she knew she had to find out more about these people. Plus, Michela could help her get back to America.

Mila wished she could forget what she had heard outside Chandelor Knight's office. That one conversation had changed her life forever. If her parent's weren't her parents who was she really?

She inched closer to the table where the three had been talking about Michela.

"I need to see Michela for myself," Ethan said.

"Well, I guess it's a good thing you are good at breaking and entering then," Alison said with a smile.

The three of them left the tea shoppe together and Mila pulled out her suitcase and wheeled it behind her. She exited the shoppe right after the three agents. But she wasn't the only one watching. Someone else in the shoppe also had their eyes on her.

Kevin stayed back as Mila walked past him through the entry way. He followed her closely until she was a block away from the tea room. Then he kicked the suitcase out of her hand, grabbed her shoulder and put her into a head lock. 

Mila  barely had time to react. She was significantly smaller than he. "You're crushing me."

"Why are you watching us?" Kevin growled in her ear.

Mila's heart pounded. She swooned and felt as if she might pass out.

"Kevin. Stop! You're scaring her." Alison Corday pulled Kevin away from Mila. "Don't mind him. He's not wired for subtle."

"She was eavesdropping on us! Any normal person would be dead by now. You're lucky I have great restraint."

Mila yanked her arm from Kevin's grasp and kneaded the muscle in her shoulder. "I'm sorry, but you mentioned Michela's name and I couldn't help myself."

"You know, Michela?" Ethan asked.

"My mother is the Forsythe's housekeeper."

"Sophia?" Ethan's voice was tinted with surprise. "That means your father is Fergus."

"Yes," she said choking back emotion. "I came to visit him in London, but I can't stay at the mansion anymore. Something's happened and I don't feel comfortable there any more. I was hoping Michela might have a place for me to stay."

"And that's it?" Alison said incredulously. "You just need a little help?" She sounded skeptical. Alison wasn't quick to trust ever since her sister, Dyan betrayed them all.

"What else would I want?" Mila's innocent eyes took in the experienced spies and she didn't even know what deadly eyes she was gazing into.

Ethan put an arm around Mila's shoulder. She was quivering, the fear in her body was amped up.

"Come with us. We'll take you to Michela," Ethan said.

"Do you think this is a good idea?" Alison asked, pulling Ethan to the side. "Michela isn't exactly in her right mind."

"Maybe seeing some familiar faces will trigger something," Ethan said, then whispered in a lower tone. "Check out Mila on the DL. I want to make sure she's kosher before we put her and Michela together."

"This could set Michela back completely. She already thinks she's living in the past. She talked to me for twenty minutes yesterday about some boyfriend she had in high school that even I didn't remember," Alison said.

"Michela was a romantic target in high school. Her family was rich and many people in school weren't."

"You didn't go to school with Michela. I would have remembered you," Alison said.

"I was a friend of Michael Donovan. I met her when she was dating him."

"So, you've always been a jet-setting playboy? Alison muttered. "I should have figured."

Ethan's childhood was anything but jet-setting. He'd grown up in an orphanage that was run by Franklin's oldest sibling, Sister Mary Rosa and her superior Father Macaire Ambrose. The orphanage wasn't the worst place in the world, but Mary Rosa did everything in her power to make sure they were all well cared for.

He hated reflecting on his past. It reminded him of everything he'd lost. Mary Rosa and Macaire were like parents to him, but he hadn't seen them in many years. Being a spy put everyone he loved in danger. It was easier and safer to stay away. It kept the target of his enemies off their backs.

Ethan pulled out his PDA and texted a secure message to Boswell. He was the head of the armory and inventor of many of their cool spy gadgets. The sixty-plus man dressed like a cross between a Hell's Angel and a hippie. He was sure Boswell would be on board to help the four of them slip back into headquarters.

As he texted his S.O.S., the message bounced back with an error.

"Damn!"

"What's wrong?" Kevin asked from the front seat of the taxi the four had commandeered once they were certain Mila wasn't a security threat.

"Liz has disabled secure Legacy communications.  She's become more of a thorn in our side than I suspected."

"Does anyone have Boswell's cell number?" Ethan asked. None of them had communicated  beyond the secure Legacy network. Now, since that was compromised, they needed to find a new way to get in contact with their friends inside HQ.

Alison did have an idea. Boswell was known as a sort of ladies man, if you could believe his constant stories about the topic.

"I think his latest gal pal is Dena Thorpe. That woman that owns the flower shop not far from Westminster."

"Maybe we can swipe her cell and send Boswell a quick message," Kevin suggested. "Anyone for a quick op?"

Ethan knew he could probably do this swiftly on his own. His nanites could wirelessly connect with any electronic device. They could walk into the flower shop and he'd be close enough to make a connection with her cell. But Kevin was chomping at the bit to dust off and stretch his spy skills.

Ethan couldn't deny him his fun.

Cloak & Dagger - Episode 6

Episode 6: Tea Time Tactics

ForeCross Publishing - London

"What seems to be the problem?" Ethan asked as he entered the office of Quentin Forsythe. His brother, Kevin, was already there standing by the large window staring out at the London skyline. "It's not very often you call for a pow wow."

"I've been concerned about Michela for awhile. Her behavior had been erratic. That's why I've been having people watching her," Quentin said.

"Getting your toes wet in the spy game, Quentin?" Kevin asked.

"Out of necessity, I'm afraid," he answered. "But I did discover something. The Legacy knew something like this might happen."

"Something like what?" Ethan crossed his arms over his chest. He was afraid he already knew what Quentin was referring to.

"One of my sources relayed information to me. Michela has had some sort of mental break. They think it's due to some experiment they did on her years ago. Something called Nightingale."

Ethan sighed. "Do you think it's from one of my father's experiments?"

"Dad would never do that to Michela," Kevin said. "She was like his own daughter."

"Dad experimented on Ian when he was sick. I wouldnt put it past him to do something to Michela."

"I've arranged for you to meet with my contact inside the Legacy. Maybe she can shed light on why this happened to Michela." Quentin handed Ethan a business card for a tea room on the other side of London. "Have an afternoon tea and buscuit on me."

Ethan caught his drift. Speaking about Legacy matters even in his office was dangerous.

"Thanks," Kevin said, swiping the card out of Ethan's hand. "We'll take you up on that. I am feeling a bit parched."

___

Alison Corday observed Ethan and Kevin leaving ForeCross. Bette Marstan was also waiting in the shadows. She observed Bette for some time while the Fairchild brothers met with Quentin. She was making a newbie mistake. You didn't tail a person that closely.

At the next block Ethan hailed a cab. Bette tried to approach them but Alison ran into her knocking them both to the ground. Bette was new to the Legacy so she wasn't yet familiar with everyone who worked there. Alison opened a secret compartment in side her ring an pricked Bette in the forearm. The substance on the pin took effect in seconds. The ring was pretty old school, but these days sometimes low tech was the best way to go.

Bette slumped against Alison. She smiled at people passing her on the sidewalk.  "She's fine," she told them. "Just a little too much wine with lunch."

The people stared at them oddly but kept walking. Most people didn't want to get involved in the lives of strangers.

Alison hailed a cab and shoved Bette inside. She gave the cabbie directions to Bette's flat. When she woke up, she wouldn't remember anything about the last forty-eight hours.

___

The London Tea Room was a quaint shoppe hidden among a row of brownstones. Mile Ferguson shoved her suitcase under the table with one foot while wiping her tears. The Tea Room was so bustling no one noticed a sad young girl sitting in the corner. The waitress sat a cup of steaming tea in front of her. She thanked the woman and began sipping at the beverage. She watched the crowd and wondered if she had enough money to return to America. She knew too few people in England and wouldn't dare ask anyone from the Ambrose estate to assist her. She hadn't exactly left there on good terms.

___

Ethan and Kevin Fairchild entered the tea shoppe a few minutes before four. Mila didn't recognize them, but she could hardly keep her eyes from the two rugged men who claimed a booth two tables away from her.

They waved Alison Corday over to them and she quickly joined them.

"What's all the cloak and dagger for? You couldn't have discussed this back at HQ?" Kevin asked.

"We know there's something on the inside. A person? A faction? We don't know. But they're getting to our agents. Phelps and Charlie Christie showed up DOA last week at a London hospital. We have to be very careful who we trust. Someone's coming after us individually."

"Phelps and Christie? They're legends," Ethan said. "If they can get those two, they can get to anyone."

"That's why we're meeting here. You're more vulnerable than any of us. Those nanites may give you cool powers, but they also can drain you to the point of death if we're not careful."

"Plus, he's been hacked once," Kevin said.

"That's not good," Alison said. Those are the types of vulnerabilities they're attacking. Michela thinks she's seventeen because of a screwy flaw in the Nightingale programming."

"We'll need to get back inside Legacy Headquarters and check this out," Ethan said.

"It won't be easy. Chandelor Knight has appointed Liz Hunter as the person in charge. She's even above Fouts. She's put HQ on lockdown."

"Isn't she the kid that Moses extracted from Echelon not long ago? I thought she was sent to deprogramming," Kevin said.

"Yeah, Bellingham Psychiatric Hospital. The Legacy runs it on the DL. That's where we also sent her partner, Marcus," Alison said. "Word is she wants him back in a bad way."

Working on a possible book cover...

I've been playing around with a possible book cover. What do you think?

Cloak & Dagger - Episode 5

Episode 5: Land of the Knight

The land around the Knight estate was well-guarded and monitored around the clock. Daniel Fouts and Faith Fairchild kept their distance from the mansion. Liz probably had full run of the house by now.''

"She's a devious little sucker," Faith said. "When I first met her I thought she was my friend but she was just using me.  She is completely loyal to this Echelon corporation. It's freaky."

"Maybe she's just programmed that way," Daniel suggested. "Echelon does have the ADP. Maybe they're using it on Liz too."

"So, underneath she could be Sally Straigh-Laced from Surry? And not this cold- blooded, manipulative killer?"

"I wouldn't put anything past them," Daniel said.

Faith began to wonder if such a technology could be used against her brother, Ethan. Ethan's twin, Ian had been on the missing list forever. The sudden reappearance of Ian had Faith worried, especially with all this Chandelor Knight nonsense.

"Remember how you said Ian thought he was Ethan?" Faith asked. "Did you actually physically see Ian or did someone send you intel about it?"

"We have it from a reliable source. Daniel started to speak but Faith interrupted him.

"Maybe this reliable source is working for Echelon too. Maybe this Ian is just some flunky with Ian's personality downloaded into his brain. Maybe Ethan's walking straight into a trap."

Faith had grown up in the spy game and coming up with elaborate plots was child's play to her. If half of what she theorized was possible, someone probably had Ian captive and were going after Ethan next.

"Do you think they're going after my family?" Faith asked.

"I think they're going after the Legacy and anyone who had any tie to that Bulgarian mission ten years ago. That's when we discovered the nanites. Maybe they're trying to advance the ADP even more."

The more speculating they did, the more awful the scenario became Faith didn't like where any of this was heading.

The image of Liz Hunter passed the window where the blueprints indicated lay Chandelor's study. The Library window next to it was dark.

"She's making herself right at home, Daniel said, spying her through field binoculars.

"What's the plan?" Faith asked. "Confront Liz or talk Chandelor?"

"Chandelor first. I want to see where his head is."

"I think I can help you with that," said a voice from behind. Fouts and Faith turned around and found Fergus standing behind them.

The duo was momentarily startled but quickly learned that this could be an opportunity.

"Great," said Daniel. "I wasn't looking forward to brushing up on my breaking and entering skills."

"The thing about working a job for seventeen years... the staff is still loyal to me. I consider them my extended family. Plus, my daughter is in there and I have to get her out. She's in more danger than she realizes," Fergus said.

"Lead the way." Daniel and Faith followed Fergus. His white hair seemed to shine like a beacon in the dark. They weaved through the trees to an odd structure jutting out of the ground south of the estate.

"What is this?" Faith asked. The structure was three times as big as a red London telephone booth but made completely of rock.

"It's one of the emergency exits Mr. Knight had built into the mansion. Rarely used. I doubt Ms. Hunter has discovered it yet. The mansion is quite large."

"One thing to our advantage," Fouts said.

Once inside the room opened up even more. The walls were all rock but the wall into the estate was pure steel. Fergus extracted a key from a large key ring in his pocket.

"Those Chandelor's too?" Fouts asked.

"He didn't ask for them back and I didn't have time to return them once I was ushered from the estate." Fergus hinted a smile at his lips. He didn't seem the type to defy order very often but they didn't have a book where this was  a normal occurrence.

"The system takes a key and a code," Fergus explained. "They shouldn't have changed the code yet."

He typed the digits into the keypad and received a glaring red light for his trouble.

"I wouldn't take that bet if  were you." She pushed both men out of the way and approached the keypad. "Stand aside. Let a woman work her magic."

"What are you doing?" Fouts asked.

"Being awesome, so now hush. Awesomeness requires silence. She dislodged the face plate and began picking through wires. Red, green and blue wires were haphazardly attached in certain places inside the box. Faith rerouted three of the ends to different connections. "Wah-la. Magic."

Fergus turned his key again and the light turned green.

"Thats what's I'm talking about." Faith squealed and gave herself a fist pump for good measure. "Autographs will be available after the show," she said as the three of them entered the mansion at its lowest level.

"What do they keep down here? Bodies?" Faith walked into a large room made of concrete with a big winding staircase that led upward. Everything was a dull gray color, the walls, the floor, probably even the ceiling, if she could see it. It was a decorator's nightmare. She wiped dust off the handrail.

"I guess the cleaning lady doesn't get down here much, huh?" Faith crinkled her nose in mock disgust. Her sarcasm became more prevalent the closer to danger they became. Daniel hadn't seen her so animated since he pulled her out of Paris two years ago.

"No. No one  is allowed in these security areas," Fergus said. "Mr. Knight kept the escape routes bare bones. No need t spend money on flooring and wallpaper  no one would ever see. One of the exits leads from his study to the basement. The other leads to the library."

"Let's hope our adventure ends at the Library."

Web Page For The Legacy

Here is the web page for The Legacy. Check out the "missions" link to read all the episodes.

http://webspace.webring.com/people/sl/legacy_adventure/

Cloak & Dagger - Episode 4

Episode 4: Nightingale Effect

Fouts' Apartment

Daniel Fouts tried to leave the problems of the world and the Legacy at the office, but sometimes it just wasn't possible. He threw his keys on the counter and dropped his briefcase under the roll-top desk in the corner of the room.

Everything in this space was decorated for a male. There were no visible signs that made it seem a female lived here or was even on the premises. But he had sensed Faith Fairchild the moment he entered his apartment. That hint of citrus perfume she always wore infused the air with happiness. It was an emotion that didn't cloud the atmosphere of his home very often.

A gleeful scream of victory came from his study. As he slowly approached the room, he fully expected what he saw. She was playing a boxing game on the Wii wearing the running outfit and iPod she came in. The headphone cords swung wildly around her head.

"Take that sucker!" she squealed as she punched her electronic opponent.

Daniel scowled. She was killing his high score. Playing video games was his was of blowing off steam after a hard day directing the spies of the world. Faith had only recently discovered video games.  Getting her away from the console was about as easy as taking candy from  two year old.

He relaxed in the recliner waiting for her to finish. He was nearly asleep when her shouts woke him. "See if you can beat that, Fouts!"

Daniel smiled. She was his exact opposite. Full of emotion and easily connected to the world, to a joy he just couldn't access in his own life. He shook his head. That wasn't the way he wanted to forget his day.

"Come here." Daniel gathered her into his arms. He held onto her like she was the last breath of fresh air on the earth.

"Easy," she said with a smile. "Don't use me up all in one sitting."

She stared into his eyes. "Are you okay? More Legacy weirdness? You can tell me. It's okay. I've been pre-approved for this sort of thing."

Faith was right. She more than he knew what this business was all about. Both her brothers were elite spies inside the Legacy ranks and her father used to be the Director.

"We think Echelon is getting to our agents. Michela's Nightingale programming is resurfacing in strange ways. Today she woke up and thought she was seventeen. The effect still hasn't worn off."

"Does she look seventeen?" Faith asked with a smile, clearly not expecting the answer to be yes. "Because that would be a cool side effect."

"No, she looks the same as she always has. But all of her Legacy training is lost. This is completely in her head."

"Bummer. Think of all the re-training she'll have to go through."

"There will be no re-training until we find out exactly why this happened," Fouts said. "Echelon could be a bigger threat than we realized."

"Bigger than Julian Black?" Faith commented as a funny, but Daniel wasn't smiling.

"We believe the Black Council and Echelon has been working together. The Black Council had its PARIS artificial intelligence virus. And this is light years beyond that."

Suddenly, Daniel's phone buzzed. It wasn't unusual for him to get calls in the evenings. Espionage didn't sleep.

He glanced down at the caller. The words on his mini screen said 'High Council'."

"I have to take this."

Faith was used to such distractions. She moved to the door and paused on the threshold. "I'll go for some take out. Take your time."

She kissed him on the lips and closed the door.

The High Council's message was brief. What it said had him both concerned and baffled. Their recent asset acquisition from the Echelon Facility, Liz Hunter had just been promoted.

She was now his superior!

___

Next day, Fouts' Office.

"They're doing what?" Faith was baffled by the High Council's new decision. Even Daniel was a bit taken a back, and he was a man without expression. Every look he gave his staff was stern and serious. But underneath it all, she knew he was a pussy cat.

"They've made Liz in charge of our division," Fouts said, his jaw clinching in repressed anger.

"I thought you were in charge," she asked staring out his office window at the skyline.

"Liz has convinced Chandelor Knight that she has certain qualification. I'm not sure how she did it. Chandelor should be used to people trying to play him."

"Maybe he has the holiday spirit and is feeling especially charitable," Faith suggested.

A knock came at the door, but the person didn't wait to enter. The man was dressed in a very fashionable outfit with spit-shined shoes.

"May I help you?" Daniel asked. He didn't want to fathom how a walk-in got in through all their security at the front door.

The man looked lost. His white hair was short and expertly styled. His face was quite a contrast to his clothing. His face was pale and gaunt. He was definitely in the early stages of shock.

"I'm here for my severance check. Is this the right place? My name is Charles Ferguson. Fergus to most. And I am... well, I mean... I was... the long-time butler to Mr. Chandelor Knight."

"You're Mila's father, right?" Faith asked.

"Yes, I am."

"If I'm not being too forward," Faith enquired. "What exactly happened?"

"A woman came into the mansion three days ago and now suddenly I've lost the job I've had for seventeen years. I don't know how she got to him so quickly."

"Maybe she had help in that department," Daniel suggested.

"What do you mean?" Faith asked.

"Echelon. We know they've got the technology to download a personality into someone else's brain. They call it an ADP, Advanced Digital Personality. And getting to someone like Chanedlor wouldn't be easy."

"How did Liz get access to him?" Faith asked. "Chandelor doesn't trust a lot of people."

"That's something we're going to have to find out."

"Does this mean I may get my job back?" Fergus said with a hopeful lilt to his voice.

"I'll do everything in my power to get Chanedlor back into his right mind."

"Thank you, sir." The butler bowed and exited, closing the door.

"What if we can't get Chandelor back to his stuffy old self?" Faith asked.

Daniel grabbed his coat. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

Shattered-The Trust: Episode 6

Shattered-The Trust

Episode 6: Breakout

- Hank petitions the director of Alpha Site to assist in the retrieval of Jenna West.

- Jenna and Phoenix make a break for it as the Echelon zombie killers come after them.

Check out the next episode of Shattered-The Trust over at my Shattered-The Trust blog...
http://shatteredseries.blogspot.com/2011/12/shattered-trust-episode-6.html

Cloak & Dagger - Episode 3

Episode 3: Strange Case of Amnesia

"What's happening to her?" Daniel Fouts had been called to the infirmary not long after Michela was brought in.

"I haven't seen anything like it. She's having a strange case of amnesia. The last thing she remembers is in 1987." Lee Myers, the medical professional who headed the infirmary tapped a pen against his mouth. "It could be a new virus one of our enemies are working on," he surmised.

"Or the Nightingale program has finally taken its toll on her brain." Fouts muttered.

Lee glanced at Daniel in surprise. "Isn't that program a little before your time?"

"I was fully debriefed about everything the Foundation found... troubling. This was Chandelor's fear. One of Franklin's experiments going sideways."

Lee patted Fouts' shoulder. "I wouldn't jump off the deep end just yet. Sometimes these things have a way of working themselves out."

"I hope you're right, Dr. Myers."

___

Michela Forsythe thought she was having a dream. Maybe this whole spy agency deal was just a figment of her imagination. Things like this couldn't possibly be real They were only things people wrote about in books.

The doctors had come around taking blood and mentoring her heart rate. She really doubted they'd find anything enlightening in those readings. She was beginning to wonder if this was some kind of freakish time travel accident like "Back to the Future." Maybe she was in the future for a reason.

She sat up and felt her hair. It was probably a rat's nest. Maybe one of the nurses would have a brush. She made her way to the mirror to make out the damage. The second she glanced at the reflective surface she screamed.

"Holy Freaky Friday! That is not me!" She shouted stumbling away from the mirror and then began pounding on the metal door. "Nurse! Nurse!"

Dr. Myers and Fouts appeared at the doorway in seconds. They'd been watching her from the two way mirror in the next room.

"What is wrong with me?" she screamed at them. "Have you seen my face? I'm old! Yesterday, I looked like myself and today I don't! What have you done to me?"

Michela tried to elbow her way out of the room, but with Myers and Fouts securely clamped on each arm, she knew she wasn't  going anywhere.

"Calm down, Miss Forsythe. We'll figure this thing out." Lee Myers tried to soothe her but his voice wasn't doing the trick. Fouts motioned to a nurse to apply sedative.

"Figure it out? Figure it out? How old am I now? This isn't something you can fix!" She pulled at he skin which wasn't as peaches and cream as it once was.

"You turned forty-two on your last birthday." Fouts said in a stiff monotone.

"Forty-two? My God, I'm ancient!"

Fouts grimaced at her declaration. As the sedative began to take effect, Michela curled up on the bed and began to weep.

"I guess we can rule out the theory that she's faking it," Lee said.

Fouts showed no emotion. "I want a brain scan done immediately. There has to be some medical reason this."

The medical staff didn't question his order. They wheeled her bed out of the door leaving Fouts alone in the room. He pulled out his encrypted cell and called a familiar number.

"I didn't get the intel, but I'll let you know when I do." Fouts didn't say goodbye. He snapped the cell closed and shoved it into his jacket pocket.

____

In a hidden mine under a mountain, masked agents guarded two men housed in separate cells. One man, the older of the two, had been there for many years. He was gaunt and sickly. Much too skinny for his height. He had lost count of his days and nights in captivity, but he knew it was a long time.

The younger man in the other cell was healthier and full of motivation. The idea of staying her for any amount of time was out of the question for him. It was something he couldn't fathom, something he wouldn't accept.

The older man's name was Franklin Fairchild and he had no idea the atrocities that had been committed in his name. He didn't know the Black Council had created a necklace device that could change any man to look like him. He didn't know about the experiments in the Legacy on its agents. He didn't know what had happened to his family since he fell off the grid. But it was the memory of his children that got him through each day.

Now focusing on the younger man in the other cell, the man he couldn't see was keeping his mind off how miserable he felt. Having the young man to focus on was now the only thing keeping him alive.

___

Mila Ferguson thought visiting her father in England would be fun and exciting. She'd never been to the home of her father's employer before. The house was an estate in the country, much bigger than she ever imagined. She had marveled at how lovely the mansion where her father worked truly was. The entire trip had been very exciting until she took a wrong turn on the stairwell and ended up outside of Chandelor Knight's office.

"She's more beautiful than your photos," Chandelor steepled his fingers in thought.  "She has Julian's eyes."

"That hasn't been determined yet, sir," Fergus said. "We'll know much more after the blood tests."

"I know this has to be hard for you. You see her as your daughter, but I thank you for keeping her safe all these years. You were well compensated. She was even living under Quentin's roof and he never once suspected she could be his granddaughter."

Mila was horrified by what she'd overheard. Was it possible she really was someone else's daughter? She ran into her room, gathered her things and fled from the estate.

Cloak & Dagger - Episode 2

Episode 2: The Unknown

London, 2011

"Technically, she didn't blow him up," Director Daniel Fouts explained to Ethan Fairchild. "A detonator malfunctioned causing the death of Cal Yates."

"I set the charge," Bette Marstan said. "His death was my responsibility."

Ethan didn't respond like he wanted. He still needed time to assess his new recruit before passing judgement.

"Disrespecting your superior officer, even in death, just isn't done, Agent Marstan," Fouts said.

Bette nodded. "Duly noted, director."

Fouts motioned toward his office. The three entered and as they were seated the fiberglass walls morphed from see-through to opaque. This part of their conversation was confidential.

"Ethan, I know you were surprised by my knowledge of the search for your brother but your new assignment has everything to do with your past."

Ethan didn't like the idea of others getting involved in his recent obsession. Even his sister, Faith, knew nothing about his search for Ian. She and Ian had never been close. Even though Ian was Ethan's twin.

"We've been aware of your brother's location ever since Bulgaria. We thought the problem eventually would work itself out, but unfortunately it didn't."

"Problem?" Ethan asked. "What exactly is the problem?"

Daniel wasn't comfortable revealing this truth even though the decision concerning Ian weren't his.

"Ian believes he's you."

___

Gateway City, 1987

Michela Forsythe was in a rush, per usual. Her boyfriend, Cade, the newly crowned King jock of Gateway High was waiting in the car. She gave her mother a wave and blew her a kiss.

"Please try to be on time tonight," Mrs. Forsythe asked her daughter who was already out the door. She sighed and turned back to her Eggs Benedict. "That girl is going to be the death of me."

Michela and Cade walked onto campus as seniors at the top echelon of the social scene. Cade migrated toward the footballers and she found her best friend, Bliss, slamming poor, dorky Alison Corday into a locker and pouring soda on her head. Not exactly one of Bliss' better moments but the all consuming power of being a senior from the popular crowd was going straight to her head.

Michela's theory was that everyone was allowed at least one pre-season foible. Bliss was just getting it out of her system early.

"You're going to hell. You know that, right?" Michela said trying to keep the smile off her lips.

Bliss pulled out a string of her mother's pearls and began rubbing the beads dramatically as if they were a rosary and the key to her salvation.

"I'll say ten hail Mary's and then all will be good. I have Father Benedict in my back pocket. He can put in a good word for me upstairs."

"So, that's how it's done?" Michela snickered. "I knew I'd been doing something wrong."

Michela couldn't say she had it bad. In fact, her life was pretty awesome. Could she help it that she wanted everyone to know it?

Michela's father owned one of the biggest publishing companies in the world. And all the money he raked in being a workaholic was very attractive to all her friends. Sometimes she wondered if what money didn't stick to me might be transfered to them.

She knew being popular wouldn't get her anything in the outside world. Her older sister, Diana, spoke the theory like a mantra. Once out of high school, she'd lost nearly everyone of her best friends to other people who had things her friends wanted that Diana couldn't give them.

In the end, Michela took advantage of the perks of her father's job. She had the best of everything she wanted. Super-sized birthday parties and clothes from designers who had collections that weren't even out yet. Everything under the sun was available to  her... except more time.

That evening she stood outside the school all alone waiting for someone to pick her up. She assumed it would be Pierre, her father's driver, but he'd been detained with some corporate bigwig.

She dialed her father's phone for the third time but it kept going to voicemail. She guessed this was what it felt like to be truly forgotten. She experienced a good five minutes of feeling sorry for herself. It was cruel but she needed it. These were the things that could truly keep her grounded in the future.

Fifteen minutes later, her sister came tooling down the avenue in her new Buick. As she watched Diana's car round the corner, it took her sister too long to react as a dog ran into her path. Diana immediately lost control of the vehicle. She swerved back into her lane but the damage was done. The vehicle was coming straight at Michela faster than the speed limit in that area condoned. The terror in her sister's eyes was the last thing Michela saw before everything went black.

___

London 2011

The streets of London were still bustling when Ethan exited headquarters two hours later. He hadn't heard much of the debriefing after Fouts dropped the bomb about his brother. The notion completely boggled his mind.

Ethan clearly remembered the Bulgarian mission. At least, he thought he did. There were technologies out there that could easily do what Fouts explained. It made him wonder momentarily exactly who was the impostor. Maybe Ian's memories of Bulgaria had been implanted to cover up a conspiracy. Anything was possible when it came to dealing with his father's experiments. If he wanted to know what really happened back then, he had to go to the source.

___

Bette Marstan wasn't a newcomer to the world of espionage. Fouts wanted her to stick to Ethan like glue, and that's what she intended to do. The only problem being that he was very good at ditching a tail. Which is why she found herself outside the London branch of ForeCross Publishing wondering where he could have run off to.

The Legacy wasn't  good at sharing the details of an agent's life, but Bette had run across a photo of Ethan with a  brunette woman she didn't recognize and a man frowning in the background. She fingered it as she searched the scene for Ethan. The other man in the photo resembled a picture she'd once seen of Ethan's brother, Kevin. There was plenty of bad blood between the brothers. So, she was more than surprised when she spotted Kevin Fairchild entering ForeCross. The coincidence was too strange. It gave Bette the perfect motive to follow Kevin inside.

___

Undisclosed Location 2011

Michela found herself lying on the street. The gritty surface covered her hands and cheek. She must have passed out. And Michela wondered how much this fender bender was going to cost her daddy. All she could think was that she was glad she wasn't the one driving. Diana would have to take the blame for this accident.

She opened her eyes and scrambled to her feet but what she saw wasn't the parking lot at school. It was a dark alley way too close to a pier that reeked of fish guts and motor oil

"Michela? What are you doing?" The voice seemed to come from nowhere. She wheeled around looking for the source.

"Who's there?" she whispered. She looked around seeing no one in the darkness. "I think I'm losing my mind. All she could wonder was how had she gotten here and where exactly was here? It definitely wasn't the high school parking lot.

"Lose your mind later," said the voice again. "You have a mission to complete."

"Mission? If this is God, you're barking up the wrong cheerleader. The only mission I have is to go home and practice my routine until all eyes are on me."

It was in this moment she finally realized something was in her ear, some sort of device like a hearing aid. She studied it momentarily.

"Your technology is cool and all but ... can I get a ride home? Mom and Dad are going to be miffed if I'm late again."

Another voice came over the ear piece. This one was distinctly feminine and perfectly familiar. Alison Corday.

"Michela? What are you talking about? Your mother's been dead for years. Have you been compromised? Is this channel being monitored?"

Michela stilled. "Dead? I just talked to her this morning."

"You couldn't have. You've been on this mission for the last forty-eight hours." Alison's voice was speaking in riddles and nothing she was saying was making sense.

Michela shook her head. "No, no. That's not right. I've just started my senior year. I've never been on any sort of  mission. Alison? You believe me, right? You saw me this morning."

"We've got to get her out of there." Alison was speaking to someone else. Someone Michela couldn't hear. "She's been affected mentally. We knew this could be a problem."

The sound of a car engine roared to life near Michela's position. She flinched and her heart raced. The more she focused on her surroundings and the dark shadows, the more fearful she became.

Footsteps sounded like gunshots as they drew closer. "Someone's coming," she whispered. "Alison, you have to help me!"

"Some things never change," Alison muttered. "We're sending in an extraction team. Stay put."

The only problem was that Michela didn't stay put. She ran off toward the dock and the ear piece she'd been studying was now lying on the ground.

Cloak & Dagger - Episode 1

 
Cloak & Dagger

He should have known better. Getting involved with another Kassoff would only lead him down the road of misery. But in his life, misery had been a strangely faithful friend.

Ethan jogged through the tunnels near Westminster Abbey not seeing the popular tourist attraction the media had recently claimed was leaning. His eyes followed the dark waters of the Thames as his feet pounded the pavement.

He had returned from a mission more confused than he'd been before. All the leads he'd uncovered on the disappearance of his brother, Ian, took him down deserted roads that led to nowhere. Each scrap of hope had become yet another piece of disappointment.

He'd run into Athena Kassoff on his last journey and that chance meeting had been messing with his head.

"You think you're the responsible one?" she taunted. "You left me behind to bear the consequences of both our actions."

He'd attributed her words to consuming too much ale. She was spouting other threats but that one had stuck with him as he traveled back to London to rejoin his team.

The holiday had not been as relaxing or productive as he would have liked. And the memories nipping at his heels had faded with time.

His flat was a cookie-cutter brownstone that resembled every other on the block. Nothing stood out. Nothing distinctive. Being a ghost was something he did well in all aspects of life.

His breaths came in an even rhythm. He was an athletic man who kept himself in good physical condition. He didn't have movie star good looks like his older brother, Carter, but his chiseled jaw and rough appearance had its admirers.

Ethan ran down a familiar tunnel nodding at check points, men dressed as bums wearing wireless microphones. The last bum directed him to the entrance of the day with a simple playing card lying on the ground.

Ace of spades. So, it was the front door today. But the front door of the headquarters of The Legacy wasn't exactly a normal store front. It had a door, yes. A door to an empty room filled with pipes and hanging wires. He clamped two specific wires together, spun a handle counter clockwise two times and engaged the handle on the power box after flipping two breakers to the off position.

A door opened next to the power box and he stepped into the darkness. It was a small elevator leading him down into the bowels of the earth.

He emerged into what looked like a normal office. A receptionist sat behind a tall desk. She grimaced at his sweaty appearance.

"You look ghastly," Becca Ramsey told him. She was in her mid-fifties with hair the color of artificial chestnuts. "The director is expecting you in ten. You might want to change before then. A shower, perhaps?"

"Yes, mum. Always so concerned about me."

"Someone must. It's not like you'd do it on your own prompting." She returned to her computer monitor.

Ethan breezed past her and into the locker room. It wasn't one of those offices where you were familiar with everyone. Besides Becca and the director, he didn't have contact with anyone else on site at headquarters.

The analysts were too focused on their current assignments to worry about a strange man entering the locker room. But unusually, one analyst did observe him with a watchful eye as he wandered around the office. Her screen was dark, as if she was only occupying a cubicle and not actually using it.

She moved the typing glasses farther down her nose and followed Ethan with her eyes as he entered the director's office. Daniel Fouts was a dark-haired, hard-eyed man who rarely showed any emotion. He accepted Ethan into the fiberglass-walled office and gestured to a chair.

"Thank you for meeting with me. I know it's unorthodox to come all the way into Headquarters especially when you're spending every off minute searching for your brother."

Ethan's eyes narrowed. No one was supposed to know he was looking into his brother's disappearance. Especially no one in the upper echelon of management.

"I assume there is a reason you wanted to see me?" His voice was gruff. Any happy-go-lucky manner he had in his demeanor previous to now was completely extinguished.

"I'm adding someone to your team." Fouts motioned to the woman standing near the doorway. She was a beautiful blonde that looked like she'd been pulled straight from a Betty Crocker manual. "Bette Marstan, this is Ethan Fairchild. Your new team commander."

"What happened to her last team commander?" Ethan asked curiously.

Bette smiled impishly. "I blew him up."

By Any Other Name

Check out my web serial, By Any Other Name over at its own blog...
baon-series.blogspot.com