Page 43 of The Spy Ring

“That you more than screwed up. That you made a big, fat, screw-the-fuck-up sundae and slathered it in messed-up sauce before topping it with a I-don’t-know-what-I’m-doing cherry.”

“Tell me how you really feel.” The laugh died on my lips as she stood again.

“This is funny, Agent Chance? Your partner may make silly jokes, but at least he hasn’t screwed up any cases he’s been on. The government has had an eye on Emma Hawthorne for a few years. When this agency formed three years ago, I worked hard to make the Hawthorne case something the higher-ups would give us the okay on. This case was supposed to be the jewel in our crown, hence why I gave Emma Hawthorne the name Jewel.”

She took a breath and sat back down. Katlin’s face was no longer a dark salmon color, and I felt the worst was over. She berated me, which I deserved, and got it out of her system.

“I don’t think this is funny. It’s best I’m off the case now and Tenn’s taking over. Perhaps something new will help me to focus again. I got too involved in that assignment and let things go to my head,” I said and hoped she didn’t call me in here to reassign me.

Katlin nodded and clasped her hands in front of her on the desk. “I’m glad you feel that way.” She reached to the side of the desk and pulled something out of the drawer, throwing it on the desk near me. “This isn’t about reassignment.”

I sighed in relief. Reassignment meant being moved to some nowhere town and only allowed to do paperwork, most likely in the basement of an old building. Working with government workers that only want to complain about their job and how they long for retirement.

I visited one of those places once and felt my skin crawl from mundane hopelessness. Nothing was worse than reassignment.

Katlin continued, “As of today, you are no longer an agent with the United States government. Please hand over your identification and any firearms registered to you from the ITA.”

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