Run Away (An Academy Ghost Bird Fan-Fiction)

Epilogue

Two Months Later

Sang

     I push in the earpiece and adjust my hair to cover it from sight. I spot my target walking into the coffee shop and wait until after I count to sixty before following him inside. My charcoal grey pencil skirt, black silk blouse and conservative black heels allow me to blend in perfectly with the late afternoon business crowd, remaining invisible.
     I wait in line to order with two people between myself and the target. I look toward the menu, schooling my face to remain disinterested in those around me. Reaching the counter I order a small mocha frappuccino and a slice of coffee cake, paying with cash pulled from my small clutch purse. I pick a seat at a small table with my back to the wall. I pull out a folded newspaper from under my arm and hold it in front of me slightly, pretending to play the word puzzle.
     "Miss Sorenson," I hear the familiar voice speak in my ear, "I believe you'll find that the answer to seven-across is actually ANEMONE." I smirk, finding a blank line with the correct number of letters, I pencil in another word.
     "Miss Sorenson, it's not proper for a young lady to sass their superiors." He scolds, "and you may want to note that BOSSY PANTS is two words, not one." I supress my giggle and straighten my features. I write APOLOGY on the next line.
     "Accepted." He says, "Now if you could please tilt your head up and to the right slightly, our guest has just joined Superintendent Crowley."
     I readjust my body and tilt my head so the small camera lens in my black framed costume glasses will get a clear shot. Bringing the newspaper up slightly so my head angle looks more natural.
     "Good afternoon, Mr. Crowley." The new man says and pulls out the chair, joining Superintendent Crowley.

     I'm here to get visual evidence of the third man involved in the Ashley Waters embezzlement case. The guys have been working hard on this case for months. This may be a big break in their investigation. They will research who he is, I just need to get a clear shot of his face.
     In the two months since the Academy rescued me from my parent's house, I discovered that  years ago my father had an affair with a sixteen year old girl that resulted in her getting pregnant with me. She died in child birth and my father took me home to his wife and daughter, claiming I was his niece. He's kept me hidden ever since, using an altered copy of my half-sister Marie's birth certificate and a fake social security card to register me for school. My step-mother apparently discovered the truth a few years ago, which now explains her hatred toward me.
     My step-mother was taken to the Academy Hospital downtown where she is still being treated for cancer and she's undergoing psychoanalysis. I'd known she was sick for years, just not knowing what was wrong. She's verbally abusive toward the medical staff and throws things often. 
     My father left. He moved in with a new woman and her two children about an hour away. He still pays for the house and utilities, but Marie is alone in the house and visits my step-mother often. The boys see her at school and are keeping an eye on her for me. She's still my sister after all.

     I began with the Academy right away. Mr. Blackbourne and Dr. Green became my handlers and are both in charge of my Academy education and training. I moved in with Mr. Blackbourne but spend a lot of time at the other boys' houses too. They say its unusual to have a bird on an all dog team but I told the Academy I wanted to stick with my boys. They've become my new family and now I get all the things I never realized I was missing the first time around. 
     I my be a ghost, but I'm no longer completely invisible.

     The men continue to talk to one other. I make sure to fidget and play my puzzle, shifting once and a while, sipping my drink and nibbling my cake. The two men finish talking and Mr. Crowley's guest leaves, heading down the street. I see Mr. Crowley crumple up a napkin with some numbers written on it and stand, leaving the cafe and turning the opposite direction of our mystery man, back in the direction of his office. I count to 120, stand and head for the door. When passing his table I casually drop my hand and scoop up the napkin in my palm.
     I leave the cafe and casually walk two blocks down the street and climb into the waiting dark grey BMW.
     "Well done, Miss Sorenson. Time to go home."

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Writer's Note:

Oh my goodness! Thank you everyone for reading my story. I had so much fun diving into Sang's world and writing this for you. I hope you enjoyed reading it.
I appreciate all of your votes and comments, your support is so wonderful, it made writing this so much better.