Spy School Goes to Trial

Chapter 8 - Breakout

Safe House
Top Secret Location, Virginia
May 29
2100 hours

Catherine, Erica, and Trixie took one room while Mike and I took the other. Alexander took the couch, even though his legs would extend well beyond the arm of it, but there was really no other choice. At the same time, he claimed he would keep watch all night to make sure we were safe.

I was certain this was a lie. For one, in the past, Alexander always reverted to lying when he was not sure what to say. And, those lies were usually to make it appear he was a better spy than he really was. He was actually very successful at lying, using his charm to persuade powerful people and take credit for the work of others. That was until he was finally exposed for the fraud, and poor spy, he was. Since then, he had tried to be as honest as possible, especially to Catherine and Erica. However, sometimes he fell into his old habits, and I suspected he was doing this now to impress Trixie, who only just found out Alexander was a secret agent. Even if he was truthful about staying up and keeping watch, I doubted he would be able to stop anyone from breaking in and attacking us. I was more certain that Catherine or Erica would keep watch for us.

I rubbed my eyes, wiping away the tiredness. It had been a draining afternoon, and that was after being shot at. Still, I doubted I would fall asleep. My mind was reeling from the news, and despite Catherine's command, I felt it would still be best to stay away from my friends, even if it meant I had to sneak out.

Mike hugged Trixie before they went into their separate rooms. I looked towards Erica, thinking we might hug also, but she turned away from me and entered her bedroom without saying a word. Her standoffish behavior left me wondering if she regretted the kiss she gave me in front of her family. I hoped she didn't, but this was just another thing for my mind to dwell on.

I followed Mike into our temporary bedroom. It was much nicer than I had expected given the living space. It was sparsely decorated, not meant for anyone to live there for the long term. There was a queen size bed in the middle of the room covered with a duvet and extra blanket, and no other pieces of furniture. A single coat hanger dangled in a closet that was missing a door, but we didn't have any spare clothing anyway. At least there was a private bathroom attached to the room

"I know you're worried Ben, but no one will let anything happen to you," Mike said as soon as the door to the room was closed

I wasn't sure what he was basing this on. While I had learned a lot at spy school over the past two years, and over nine missions, having several enemy agents simultaneously come after me with the sole aim of killing me seemed like a perfectly reasonable thing to be worried about. Plus, I think he was missing the point. I wasn't worried about me; I didn't want anything to happen to him.

He pressed his point, "It will all work out, you'll see. Catherine and Erica will protect you, while you solve this and thwart the bad guys. That's what you do."

"Mike, I don't think you get it. There is nothing to solve this time. There is no scheme. I'm the scheme. The evil plan isn't holding the world ransom or blowing up a mine in Colorado, it's to kill me....And, more importantly, anyone that gets in the way. The only way to thwart this plan is if I die!"

I said this last part louder than I intended, but Mike did not seem phased.

"Well, maybe you can get Murray to call it off. He always seemed to think you were friends in a weird sort of way."

It was a nice thought, "I don't think he sees it that way anymore. He hates me. He made that pretty clear on our last mission, especially after I lied about Zoe liking him. Not to mention he's still in prison."

"If he's in prison, then that's one less person you have to worry about," Mike said, trying to lift my spirits. "It will all work out, you'll see." Then he hopped up onto the bed, and crushed one of the pillows underneath his head. "Plus, this isn't too bad. I mean the apartment is kind of gross, but it's better than diving into a dumpster or swimming in sewage. Not to mention we get to spend more time with Trixie." Then added as an afterthought, "And Erica."