Angels, Pop Stars, and...More Spies? Oh My!

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Rebecca Hiton? Where does that...

"Holy shit! You're telling me that Joshua's mother is the head of the ACE?"

Archer nodded. I dropped his wrist, shaking my head. Joshua's mother. A spy. Like me. 

"No. No, it can't be. Joshua's mother was..."

"She faked her own death. She had put in a request for an unclaimed body at the morgue with similar features to herself two days before she turned up 'dead' in Nevada. I saw the records of the transaction."

I shook my head, as if it could block Archer's words from entering my head. Rebecca Hilton is still alive. This is going to break Joshua's heart. Finding out his mother isn't actually dead and that she's a spy...how's he going to handle that? When we met, President McGallen explained to Joshua what I was and how important it was to keep my secret (which he's done an amazing job at doing). His mother however...

"Oh My God, Joshua's not going to take this well." I muttered under my breath.

"What?" Archer asked.

I turned to face him again. He was watching me with an intent expression. I shook my head.

"Nothing. Is that all the information you have for me?"

He nodded. I nodded, turning to walk away when he grabbed my arm.

"Ember," he said, turning me to face him, "I want in."

I furrowed my eyebrows.

"On what, Archer?" I asked.

He looked down at his feet, releasing my arm. I remained where I was, hands on my hips.  

"I want to work for the CIA."

I froze. He wants to do what? So it wasn't just information about the ACE that he wanted to tell me. I mean, he could probably get in but if they were to ever find out he was working for the ACE, they most likely wouldn't accept his application. It's a long shot for him. Plus, who's to say he won't go all double-agent and feed our info to the ACE? 

"You want to work there as a agent like me?"

He shook his head vehemently. I relaxed a bit. Okay, maybe he won't turn into a double-agent. 

"No. I'm done with field work. I'm sick of all the lies and deception and chasing tails around. I want to work there as a normal employee. I've been doing some research. I want to work for the Directorate of Science and Technology."

I stared at him. He stared back at me, unblinkingly. He really does want to work for the agency, doesn't he? I suppose...

"All right, Archer, I'm prepared to offer you a deal. If you can give me info about what the ACE is and anything strange Rebecca may be doing, I'll see what I can do on getting you into Science and Technology. I'm not going to guarantee anything, but I can try."

He nodded. The next thing he did surprised me. He walked over to me and wrapped his arms around me in a tight hug. At first, I tensed. Then I relaxed and hugged him back. He pulled away shortly after. I've never been much of a hugger anyway. 

"Thank you, Ember. Thank you so-"

"Don't thank me yet. Thank me when you're a part of the agency." 

With that, I flashed him a smile and walked back to the McGallen's house. Even with my back turned to him, I knew he was watching me. I kept smiling until I reached the sliding glass back door. I have to call Garret and tell him what I found out. This is huge! I have an asset within the ACE. Good spy work, if I do say so myself. I opened the sliding door and stepped into the air conditioned, lemon and lilac scented mansion.