Classified

Classified Part 14 Take a Hike

      "We're meeting our next contact at eleven and doing a trade."
      Thalia nodded, paying attention while her partner explained their plan. "Sounds good."
      They pulled into a field. "Do you want me to give the contact your recipe book?" Alex asked, turning to her. "He can make sure you get it back when you go home."

      "Oh. I didn't know that was possible." Thalia said, realizing there was still a lot she didn't understand.

      "Yeah. It's a two-way thing. I leave him things, he leaves me things. Sometimes I give him things to deliver." He paused, getting out of the car. "Your passport is with the agency, for example, with a stash of money in case you need it."

      "Oh. Thanks." Thalia suddenly realized she'd forgotten all about her passport. "It's kind of a nice system."
      "It works for me." Alex smiled as he transferred a few of their items from the trunk to their backpacks. "I couldn't do my job without my contacts."

      Thalia nodded and followed Alex through the trees, both of them palming their weapons. At Alex's direction, Thalia moved off to the far left as they approached a clearing, fanning out to ensure their meeting hadn't been compromised. Thalia lay low in the brush, scanning the area for any sign of movement, when a man entered the field. He was about six feet tall, with a neatly trimmed beard, and Thalia had him lined up for a perfect kill shot.

      "Dave." Thalia lowered her weapon as Alex entered the clearing. "It's been a while."
      "Alex, it's good to see you're still alive." Dave smiled.
      Thalia cautiously left the safety of the woods and approached the two men as they shook hands.

      "You must be Dr. West." Dave said, turning to greet her. "I understand you've been keeping our man alive."
      "It's Thalia." She laughed. "It hasn't been easy." She smiled at Alex. "I think he has a death wish."

      Dave laughed. "I don't disagree with you there. He has a tendency to act first and think later, and sometimes I think he forgets the second part."
      Alex shook his head. "It's kept me alive so far."

      "You've had some pretty close calls." Dave pointed out. He looked at Thalia curiously. "You know, you're kind of a celebrity, Thalia."
      Thalia shook her head, laughing. "A celebrity? Why would you say that?"

      "To the handlers and the contacts." Dave explained. "When they packed your first supply pack they assumed it would be the only one of it's kind, but we're still packing them."
      Thalia didn't ask if they thought she'd be dead or home, deciding it was best not to know.

      "I've heard you've gotten some pretty sensitive information too." Dave went on. He turned serious. "It's worse than we thought, Alex. The notes you collected, and the pictures. The bugs. It looks like there are at least eight cities on the list."

      Thalia's blood ran cold. "Eight cities?" She repeated. "I thought it was just the two."
      "That's what we thought as well, but there are plans for at least six more." Dave told her.
      Alex seemed to be thinking about something. "Okay." He said, after a moment. "What's our plan?"

      Dave gave him the coordinates for their next assignment, and they traded phones and keys.           "You're all loaded up." He turned to Thalia and smiled. "And there are some fleece sweaters, Thalia. Extra small."

      Alex laughed. "Don't mention her size." He cautioned. "She doesn't like it, and she's not afraid to kill."

      Dave laughed and held up his hands as if to ward off an attack. "I won't mention it again." He shook Alex's hand again. "Be safe, Alex. Don't take any unnecessary risks." He took Thalia's hand and smiled. "We're rooting for you, Thalia." He said. And then he disappeared into the woods.