Under Age and Undercover: A Hannah Clark Novel (under edit)

9. Double Agent (edited)

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I had been avoiding that particular phone call knowing that Landon was both deeply involved in the mission and a good friend of mine. But calling her was necessary, and I was nothing if not thorough. I couldn’t have avoided the confrontation without cutting corners; that’s why I called Landon myself. After ringing twice the receiver picked up, but instead of hearing a woman’s voice the president himself answered the phone. He obviously had no idea who was on the other end of the line and I was shocked into silence by the distinct sound of his voice.

“What?” Shane whispered, noticing my blank expression. Not wanting him to recognize that I was the one on the other end of the line, I made a split-second decision to start talking in an

Australian accent- my most practiced and most difficult accent to discern my identity from. “Hello, this is Isabella Martin from FSS security. Could you please connect me to Ms. Landon King?” Both Shane and Monique looked extremely confused. I motioned for them to come over and quickly put the conversation on speaker. My FSS-issued mobile device allowed us to hear everything going on in the background on the other line.

“Landon, did you expect a call from security?” The president asked as he covered the mouth of

the phone. There was a pregnant pause with no response. “Landon?”

“No, I didn’t schedule anything.” She said slowly. “But it could be a breach. Give me the phone.” She ordered. There was a bit of a commotion before he picked up the phone once again.

“Miss Martin?” He asked.

“Yes?” I respond, “Is there something wrong with Ms. King? It’s really rather imperative that I speak with her.”

“One moment please, I will get Ms. King.” He replied cooly. Seconds later, Landon took the phone.

“Hello?” She said inquisitively.

Recognition dawned on Shane’s face at the sound of Landon’s voice, but Monique looked even more confused than before.

“Yes. Miss King?” I say.

“This is she.” Landon replied briskly.

“I am Isabella Martin, calling about a security breach at the Los Angeles FSS location, section 145 code 7. Do you happen to know who reported the breach?”

Her reaction was instantaneous and I had to hold back a smile at how predictable she could be.  If we weren’t in such a dire situation this whole conversation would be absolutely hilarious. “What? No! I was never notified of a breach! You said LA?” Convincing Landon I was someone else was just too easy!

“That’s correct miss.” I replied as seriously as I could. “It was reported not ten minutes ago,” I was finding it increasingly difficult to stay in character.  There was a lull in the conversation before Landon announced  “I can be there in fifteen minutes. I’m coming from San Diego.” Jack Pot. I nearly jumped with glee at our luck.  She gave up her location so easily!

““Of course, Ms. King.” I responded in a professional, detached voice. “Please let us know if you find anything else.” I don’t let my charade drop until the phone is hung up.

Smiling, I remark that “It sounds to me like Landon has more to hide than she let on.” Shane smirked in agreement while Monique let out an exasperated sigh. Always so dramatic.

“Will you please explain to me what’s going on?” she demanded. In as short of time as possible I explained the situation with Landon working, how she’s involved in the mission, and how the president answering the phone tells us he is also aware of and involved in Operation Sacrifice or having an affair with Landon.  The former being more likely.  If he is involved, the information we received would support that he is the head of the operation, meaning that our nation’s PRESIDENT is a double agent working for some other country’s foreign affairs. However if that were the case I would find it very hard to believe he was fully aware of what the operation entailed. Thus we concluded that Landon was more involved than any of us had originally believed and she most likely had a deadly ulterior motive. What was left of our pre-operation prep was to find the cold hard facts to support our suspicions and turn both Landon and the President in to the FSS for them to deal with.  There were still too many questions unanswered to do that without putting our jobs in jeopardy though.  If it turns out the president really is a double agent, who is he working for? Is Landon working for the same people? Why?

“Whoa.” Monique said after I had finished my long-winded explanation of our very complicated situation. I smirked halfheartedly, very aware of how overwhelming all of that information is.

“Is that all you have to say?” I ask. “After everything I just explained to you?”

Monique responded haughtily “Yes, that’s all I have to say. Whoa. Now I think the next best step in our mission prep would be to start planning our next move, yes?”

 We worked for another hour or two mulling over the facts and details we could uncover and sketching out various game plans until Monique passed out on the couch. It wasn’t until I heard her snoring that I realized it was 3 a.m. and we were due to be ready for our conference with the senators by 8 a.m. “Mon, get to bed.” I ordered my sleeping friend as I closed my laptop. “ I’m going to sleep Shane. It’s already 3.” Monique mumbled something incoherent, rolled off the couch and stumbled groggily into her room. Laughing, I followed Monique down the hall into my own room.

“I’ll get to sleep in a moment.” Shane called after me. “I just have to turn everything off.” “’Night,” I say quietly, lying on the bed until I finally fall asleep.