Page 21 of The Spy Ring

“I mean, pooping himself. He couldn’t be happier.” Evaleen narrowed her eyes at Henrik. “Anyway, there’s a reason I am telling you this now instead of a week from now when I planned to announce it to everyone.”

I noticed she twisted her fingers together as if she was gathering strength. Perhaps she felt nauseous. I wish she would come inside so I could have her sit and rest.

“I brought someone with me. Someone who needs to explain something to you, Tiffany. There was a misunderstanding but when you see this person, you will not react well. So, I am here to moderate, to make sure you listen,” Evaleen said.

I was about to ask her to clarify as I was confused to what she was referring to when my ears burned and my hands had the sudden urge to wrap around a neck.

“Jagger. You came.” I heard David behind me as he saw Evaleen pull Jagger next to her. He must have been standing on the other side of the wall this whole time.

He took advantage of me and now he was using my friend!

“You dingleberry!” I said as I reached for Evaleen to pull her away.

Evaleen held up her hands. “I would advise both of you not to push, pull, or jostle me in any manner. As I mentioned, I’m pregnant.”

She stood in front of Jagger like a shield.

Henrik moved next to me. “You son of a bitch—”

“Language, Henrik,” I said.

He groaned. “David, go to your room.”

“What? But—” David said.

“Just go, David. Henrik will take you soon.” I turned and went over to my son, helping him up from the sofa. He walked slowly, reluctantly, toward his room.

Once we heard the door close from the hallway, Henrik let it all out. “You fucking piece of shit. Once Evaleen moves and your coward ass is unprotected, I’m going to make sure you won’t be able to walk out of here. You like pretending to be a physical therapist? Why don’t I make it so you have to be surrounded by them for the rest of your life.”

“I’m not a thief, I promise,” Jagger said, holding up his hands.

“Is that what you told Evaleen? What lie did you feed her so she would protect you?” I asked and hated that my body was heating with a mix anger and attraction. The anger part felt normal, given what Jagger had done, but the attraction. That part needed to leave and never come back, much like the man standing in my building hallway.

“Nothing. I told her the truth. That I’m a government agent and I came here last week to get Tiffany to sign some documents,” Jagger said as he pulled some papers from his back pocket.

“Right. Sure. I’m just supposed to believe you work for the government.” I folded my arms forcing my eyes to stay on his and not slide down his body.

He pulled out a black leather wallet. Flipping it open, he produced an ID card with his picture.

“How am I supposed to know that isn’t fake?” Henrik asked.

Jagger pushed it toward Henrik. “Here, take it. Go call it in. You can look up the department of defense website and there should be a phone number. They won’t acknowledge my name, but the verification code changes daily. Today it’s blue. Agents use it to check in. My boss knows I’m here, so if I call from here to check in, it will be accepted.”

Henrik took the badge and picked up my cell phone that was on the kitchen counter. He took a minute looking up the DOD’s website and number before finally calling it.

“Blue,” Henrik said.

I watched as his eyes widened and he removed the phone, handing it to Jagger.

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll have the report on Monday,” Jagger said before he tapped on the phone and handed it back to Henrik.

We stared at Jagger. Evaleen moved from in front of him.

“It looks like my work here is done,” she said and turned to Jagger. “We are even now.”

As she started to make her way toward the elevator, Jagger shouted, “Monday, first thing.”

“As promised,” Evaleen yelled back.

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