Chapter 34

It took Kiana three weeks to fully recover from her gunshot wound. As expected, her softball coach, Marv, nearly had a hernia when he learned that one of his newest (and best) players was lost for that long, but, ultimately, there was nothing he could do so he wished her the best and hoped for a full recovery. Of course she couldn’t tell him, or anyone else for that matter, what had really happened and she made up a story about how she had pulled her hamstring while practicing with Michael at a local park.

In the meantime, Beckman was happy with the outcome of their assignment despite the fact it had gone sideways. They had managed to get the gun from Harrison and it had allowed the USIA’s New York office to successfully link Jergensen’s Portland and New York branches.

“What are they going to do next?” Kiana asked.

“I’m not certain,” Beckman said. “That’s for them to decide. But they’re grateful for our assistance and they said they’ll contact us again if they need anything more.”

Kiana sat there, across the desk from her, silent for several seconds. She wasn’t completely happy with Beckman’s answer.

Beckman saw the unease in her face and smiled. “This is a good lesson for you, Kiana. Being a spy in real life isn’t the same as you see in the movies. In the movies, the main character is always involved in the main plot and he always finds out what happens in the end. He may get fooled on occasion by a plot twist or two, but ultimately he puts it all together. In real life, however, it’s not like that, at least not too often. Most of the time, we field agents just play a small part in a much bigger operation. We do what is asked of us, when it’s asked, and sometimes we never know what we’re really doing or why. To be honest, you and I may never know what becomes of this Jergensen company. But we have to have faith the people in charge of the main operation, the people in New York, will handle things properly. And we have to take pride in the fact that no matter how small our part was, we did what we were asked and we did it to the best of our abilities.”

Kiana nodded. She wasn’t certain she really liked it a lot but at least she now understood.

“So, once again,” Beckman said, “good job. But from now on, please do me a favor.”

“What?”

“When someone shoots a bullet at you, jump out of the way.”

They both laughed.

“I’ll do my best. But sometimes it’s easier said than done.”

“I know. You’re a good girl, Kiana, and you’re going to be a great agent. Maybe the best we’ve ever had. As such, please take care of yourself and stay out of trouble. I will contact you shortly with another assignment. Until then, you’re dismissed.”

Kiana got up, gave Beckman one last nod, and left.