Page 22 of The Spy Ring

Jagger laughed and turned back to face Henrik. “Can I have my ID back?”

Henrik blinked before realizing what Jagger was asking for. “Right. Of course.” He gave Jagger back the wallet containing his identification.

We stood in silence and I realized we were all still standing in the doorway.

“Why don’t you come inside.” Henrik and I moved aside to let Jagger through.

I directed him to the couch. Henrik stumbled back toward the bedrooms down the hall. “I’m going to get David now. Take him to dinner so you two can discuss whatever you need to.”

He was about to turn but stopped. “Excuse me, Jagger, but since I know the verification code is blue, what’s to stop me from getting information from the government with that code?”

Jagger sat back and smiled, his arm lazily dripping over the back of the couch. “You could try but that code, once used, is no longer relevant. Each agent gets a unique code daily. If you did try to use it, you would discover federal agents showing up at your door within minutes. I’m sure they wouldn’t detain you that long. You might make it out in time for your wedding.”

“My wedding isn’t for another month.”

“I know,” Jagger said.

Henrik’s eyes widened and the usual stoic man shrunk back and scurried down the hall.

“Agent Jagger. Why would you need me to sign papers?” I asked as I sat on the other end of my sofa.