Page 28 of The Spy

She hurried to the location. And she suspected if she checked angles and thought it through there might be something more to learn.

The stairs going up opened up onto a large, white rock filled space at the top level of the palace. Wind whipped through her hair and she turned in a circle, enjoying the view. The expanse of the ocean out to her front, nothing blocking her sight of it, seemed majestic. She imagined the ancient arrivals from Spain, come to claim this land, the early Valdez family, she had learned. They pulled their boats ashore in search of food, fresh water, a viable place to make a home.

She walked slowly out onto the flat space. The view to their back, the tall, green and rocky mountains of their country. And there came the only entrance to a possible threat. A very determined expert hiker/climber could make it through those mountains. But they would have to get through security first to enter the palace grounds, a large stone wall, no back gate. Anna knew anything was possible. A possible breach in Lucan’s security just seemed improbable. And yet, the gun scope.

The courtyard entrance would only be visible from the back corner of the area so she made her way there next, her men close behind.

A tall stone wall lined the back of the roofing, along the mountain facing side of the roof. A utility door the only break in color or texture. She moved to the very corner that was hid in shadows, so that she could look back left over the edge to see the courtyard.

As she got closer, something moved. The darkness in the corner shifted. Her men saw it immediately, rushed forward. A sharp cry surprised her and they turned, holding a dangling boy by the arms. One of the guards raised his eyebrows hopefully.

She nodded that they put the boy down. “Don’t worry, son. We thought you were someone else.” Possibly. She had known young children to do terrible things but usually in more desperate countries. And the boy trembled with wide eyes. “Come, let’s sit.”

She leaned up against the wall and patted the cement beside her.

His bony frame joined her.

The men were on their coms. In a moment she guessed half the palace security would be here, headed by Lucan.

“What are you doing up here?”

He shrugged.

“It is a beautiful view.”

He nodded.

“You can see the courtyard from back here.”

He nodded again, then he turned. “You were there.” His eyes held a question.

“Yes, how did you know?”

He reached in his pocket and pulled out a round disk.

Curious, she leaned closer.

He opened up a lid to one side and stretched the inside to a long narrow tube and handed it to her. “Look.”

She held it up and peered through one end. A telescope. She gasped and waved to the men. “Were you watching us, earlier?”

He nodded. “Are we in danger?”

“I don’t think so.” She laughed, relief washing through her. “I don’t think there’s any danger at all.”

“I hid. Everyone ran.” The look in his large confused eyes filled her with compassion. She reached an arm around the tops of his shoulders. “You are safe. Probably more safe here than anywhere.”

Lucan approached and her grin brought out a welcome one in return. His face lit with happiness. She handed him the telescope. When he saw it, he tipped his head back and laughed. And in that laugh, all the relief of their earlier tension poured out of him. He turned to the boy. “You do know it isn’t right to be spying on people.”

Anna raised an eyebrow.

Lucan looked from one to the other. “Not usually. Maybe you should come talk to my team downstairs. We could use an extra spy. Do you live in the palace?”

He nodded and a voice behind Lucan said. “Georgio. He’s my son.” A woman rushed forward. “We’ve been looking for you.” She pulled the child to her, apology and relief in her eyes.

Lucan reached a hand down to Anna who gratefully stood and said, “Thank you Georgio for showing me your device. Very handy.”

Then she pulled Lucan away to the edge, facing the ocean. “So we’re safe.”

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