Costa Crew 3: Make or Break

Chapter 2 - Alex

NOVEMBER 2034

"See you guys tomorrow," Curt Hidgens said as the few remaining staff members grabbed their jackets and headed for the exit. As another figure started walking towards him, he said, "Sorry, that's us closing... oh sorry Alex, didn't realise it was you."

"No worries," Alex replied, grinning. "How was your day?"

Curt couldn't stop himself from smiling. "Alex, I got a call from my sister. She's alive!"

Alex's jaw dropped. "Oh my god!" they exclaimed as they hugged Curt, who normally would be averse to any physical contact but was so elated at this news that he didn't care. "I'll bet you anything she was working for MI5. My best friend's sister is a spy!"

"Yeah, I think if she was working for MI5 it would be more the technical side rather than the spy side," Curt said.

Alex shrugged. "Hey, an MI5 agent's an MI5 agent, no two ways about it. Man, she must have been living the dream."

Curt frowned as he closed up the cash registers and started locking doors. "She hasn't spoken to friends or family for two years."

"Yeah, I guess…" Alex replied. "Still, we're about to head back to my place for an online murder mystery, and honestly it's the highlight of my week. Becky's right in the thick of it, that's the real deal. I reckon we'd be good at that. Not the techy stuff though, undercover."

Curt grabbed his bag and jacket. "I don't know, I'm pretty happy where I am."

Alex snorted. "Yeah, you are. You're not stuck behind a desk five days a week, mindlessly typing until THE END OF DAYS, you're doing what you love. The fact that the best part of my week is when we get together and do detective stuff really makes me consider joining the force."

"Why not?" asked Curt as he led the way out of the museum, locking the door behind them. "If you're not happy in your job, time to get a new one."

Alex nodded. "Yeah, maybe you're right," they replied. "I don't know, I'll think about it. Thanks, Curt."

***

"Congratulations again, Paul," Curt said, looking at the Medal of Valour draped around his neck with admiration.

Paul smiled. "Thanks, Curt. Becky, could I have a quick word? About Drake."

Becky nodded and Curt turned away, catching John Goodman's eye as he did so.

"Mr Hidgens," he said, hurrying over. "Rebecca tells me you have a degree in history and classics."

Curt nodded, unsure of where this was going. "If you're ever looking for new work," Goodman began, "You'd be welcome in MI5. After all, some of our finest undercover agents have their degrees in classics, and of course the Hidgens name is associated with excellent work there. Can I ask that you think it over?"

Curt was about to tell him no, that he wasn't interested, then he stopped himself. "Before I answer," he said hesitantly. "Becky lost contact for two years because of your rules. Are you planning on changing that?"

John nodded. "Absolutely. We could have lost Agent Hidgens because of my rules. I'm reverting back to the old ways, you just can't tell people you work for us."

Curt smiled. "Well in that case," he said. "I'm afraid that's not my cup of tea, but I know who might be interested."

***

OCTOBER 2038

"So Curt got me a job at MI5, and it's been incredible," finished Alex. "This is an injustice against the Hidgens family, and I'd like to do my bit to help fix it. And it seems that the best way I can help is making sure Lisa feels comfortable staying over here to help. So how about this: Lisa gets on a plane back to Australia. Then a helicopter flies me over there and you explain the situation to your fiancée before the helicopter takes you back to England."

Lisa wasn't convinced. "I don't know…" she said hesitantly. "Amelia has eyes everywhere, she might know if I double cross her again."

"Amelia's dead," pointed out Linda. "There's only so much she can plan for."

"Besides, Agent Anderson is more than capable," Goodman added. "They won't let anything happen."

Alex turned to Lisa. "I know you're not doing this for selfish reasons. You're worried about the woman you love, I would probably do the same in your situation. But the Hidgens family have helped both of us a lot, and I'm not talking about our careers. Curt was the first person I told when I came out as non-binary, and you know what he said? You're still Alex. Still the same person I grew up with, played cards with and obsessed over detective shows with. Still my best friend."

Lisa could see a tear form in Alex's eye. "I don't know the full story of what happened with you, and Becky, and Amelia," they continued. "But I know you weren't happy. You lived in Amelia's shadow and couldn't tell her how you really felt. Becky helped you come to terms with that and live your life as Lisa, not a second Amelia. Right now she's probably feeling very alone and very scared. I can protect Maya, but right now Becky needs you more than she does."

They extended their hand. "For Curt and for Becky."

Lisa hesitated, then shook. "Good to meet you, Mx Anderson. I'd better go and pack."

Alex smiled. "See you on the other side."

Once Lisa had left, Linda turned to Charlotte. "Mum...I don't know if we can trust her. I mean...she seems okay, but she just randomly has a knife in her car. What's up with that?"

Charlotte frowned. "I don't know... I'd imagine Amelia put her up to it."

"Anyway, that brings me onto my reason for coming here," Goodman continued. "Lisa Beck's gone A-Wall. She's only communicating by phone and email, and has been since Murphy died. I also know for a fact that she visited Murphy that day."

Everyone looked up at this. Lisa Beck visiting the prison hadn't been on record. Either Goodman was lying, or the visitor's record had been tampered with. And it just so happened that the records in question had been accessed by the same person handling Curt's murder. The same person who was supposed to be protecting Becky when she was kidnapped. And the same person that was supposed to request protective custody for Becky.

DCI Raymond Drake.