Emma palmed the USB and slid it into the hidden compartment of her boot heel. Then she did something they never taught in training: she opened the apartment door and stepped into the hallway.
Through the rain-streaked window, she saw him. Tall, still in the charcoal suit he’d worn to the “family dinner” three nights ago, his dark hair peppered with silver. Mark Hix. Her stepfather of six years. And, according to the file Control had flashed on her screen six months ago, a deep-cover asset for a rogue intelligence collective known as The Syndicate.
“Gentlemen. Let’s talk about your retirement plans.” -MyFamilyPies- Emma Hix - Secret Agent Step Dad...
“Go,” he said softly. “I’ll tell them you went left. You go right. And Emma?”
“I said abort, Nightingale,” Control hissed. Emma palmed the USB and slid it into
“Target is in the lobby,” a clipped voice said. It was her handler, a man she’d only ever known as “Control.” “He’s early. Abort.”
“You left your phone on the kitchen counter,” he said, taking a slow step forward. “The one with the encrypted battery. Sloppy. Your mother found it while looking for the TV remote.” Tall, still in the charcoal suit he’d worn
His voice was calm, almost gentle, as he emerged from the stairwell. No gun drawn. Just a faint, sad smile.