“It is way too early for you to be getting this dramatic because we’re just getting started. My weekend was an absolute catastrophe,” he said as he pointed. “Do something cool… Never again!” He promised and she slapped her hand over her mouth to hold back a giggle. “I will ground you if you laugh.”
“You won’t,” she said then moaned sympathetically as she grabbed his hand and pulled him to the stairs. “Why are you hiding from the man of our dreams?” She asked as she sat. He sighed as he dropped onto the step next to her.
“He’s not the man of our dreams and it’s not real. His name is Agent Royce Bradshaw and he’s with the CIA. He thinks the Lees are spies and he wants me to be his pretend boyfriend so he can spy on them,” he explained gently.
“Holy shit!” She yelled and he tapped his finger against his lips.
“Shhh!”
“Sorry!” She whispered then mouthed a silent “Wow!”. Grant nodded in agreement.
“He chased me around town and hit on me so I could be his cover but I told him I’m not interested. I think it would be best if we avoided him until he comes up with a different plan,” he said and her lips twisted as she considered.
“Does he make you uncomfortable or do you feel unsafe with him?” She asked and Grant opened his mouth but he didn’t know what to say. There were moments with Royce when he felt happier and more alive than he’d felt in years. And even when Grant knew something was very wrong, he instinctively trusted Royce.
“No…” He said warily.
“Is he cute?” She asked and his head pulled back.
“Why does that matter?”
“He is!” She gasped excitedly as she jumped to her feet. “You have to do this, dad!”
“I don’t,” Grant stated as he leaned back on his elbow and shook his head. “I’ve already told him there’s no way.”
“You have to!” Audrey repeated as she pointed at him. “You didn’t hide after we lost dad because you said another innocent person could have died, and the other victims wouldn’t find justice if you didn’t do something. What if someone gets hurt or dies because we didn’t help this Agent Bradshaw?” She argued and Grant waved his hands as he sat up.
“Do you seriously think the Lees are capable of something like that? Sally babysat you when I had to get my wisdom teeth taken out and she always brings you soup when you’re sick,” he reminded her and a wide smile spread across her face.
“That’s why you have to help Agent Bradshaw. What if they are exactly who we think they are? Someone’s got to look out for them too,” she countered and Grant paused. He could keep an eye on Agent Bradshaw and prove the Lees weren’t dangerous people. He could also make sure Bradshaw didn’t do anything too shady that violated their rights.
“I’m rethinking it…” He admitted and she cheered.
“It’s a total win/win if he’s cute!” She said and he shook his head.
“No. Don’t get any ideas about that.”
“Think about it! The government is asking you to go on dates with a hot guy. Where’s the downside?” She asked and he winced.
“He wants to move in,” he added and she looked dizzy.
“You’re going to play house with a cute spy?” She clarified.
“I really don’t want to,” he reminded her and she fanned her face.
“This is so perfect. You’re going to fall in love,” she predicted.
“Whoa!” Grant cried as he grabbed her arms. “Do not get carried away. You haven’t even met him yet and …” There was a quick tap at the door and Grant’s lips pulled tight as he scowled at it. “I swear, if he’s bugged my house, I’ll bring this whole operation to an end and kick his ass back to Langley or wherever,” he said and Audrey squealed as she ran to the door. She pulled it open then stumbled back.
“Hello, Audrey. Welcome home,” Agent Bradshaw drawled as he smiled at her over a stack of pizza boxes. “Mind if I join you for dinner?”
“Holy…” She slurred and Grant threw his hand up in disgust. Of course, Bradshaw would look like the man of their dreams. He was wearing aviators and his dark hair was slicked back. His five o’clock shadow made his square chin and jaw even more severe and a tight black V-neck t-shirt clung to his pecs and biceps.
“A vegetarian with extra cheese for the lady and a double pepperoni for the gentleman,” Bradshaw declared and Audrey bounced excitedly as she pulled him into the house and shut the door.
“This is the coolest thing that’s ever happened in Hopkins Creek!” She stated as she took the pizzas from Bradshaw and rushed them to the kitchen.
“Edgar!” Bradshaw said as he held out his hand. Grant’s tongue pushed against the inside of his cheek as his best friend for the last six years happily trotted across the foyer and pushed his head into Bradshaw’s chest. “There’s a good boy! I am so happy to finally meet you!” He baby babbled as he scratched behind Edgar’s ears. I am surrounded by traitors.
“I’m considering it,” Grant ground out as he hugged his arms and studied his shoes. “But only because I want to make sure you respect the Lee's rights and I don’t want anyone to get hurt,” he said and Bradshaw was smiling at him when Grant took a cautious glance. “What?” He asked and Bradshaw chuckled as he lowered so he could whisper in Edgar’s ear.
“Walter Newberry was right about your father,” he told Edgar. “He deserves a prince and I’m not sure if the next best thing to a Kennedy is good enough.”
Chapter 11
“Are you absolutely sure about the Lees?” Audrey asked as she tossed her crust to Edgar then reached for another slice of pizza. Grant raised his brows at Royce expectantly as he sat back in his seat and crossed his arms over his chest.
“I realize it’s part of a spy’s job to blend in and go unnoticed but I think we’d have noticed something. The Lees were here before Chris and I moved to Hopkins Creek. Sally used to babysit Audrey or just borrow her when she missed having a little one around,” he said and Royce nodded slowly as he considered the best way to explain.
“They call it a cold war for a reason,” he began then sat forward and rested his elbows on the table. “The Lees’ mission could be something as simple and small as just watching and keeping their superiors up to date on what’s going on in a quiet little community in the Beltway suburbs. They could be a sleeper cell and here ‘just in case’ China needs the ability to attack us from within. Their residence could be a safe house, in the event that another spy or a Chinese diplomat needs a place close to the capitol to hide. Or Mr. or Mrs. Lee could have a source in the capitol who passes them information that they relay to their handlers. It could be any number of inane or terrible things but you wouldn’t know because their first imperative is to live very real and very normal lives. Normally, we know. We know where the Chinese and the Russians keep their best spies and most of them register with our government because the best way to get our attention is to try and fly under the radar.”