by Mike Ryan
“If you like animals so much, why don’t you have a pet?” Parker wondered.
“I dunno. I’d like to get a dog. I love dogs. Part of me thinks it wouldn’t be right though, working all day, leaving the dog home alone,” he explained.
“Well, you’re home nights and weekends.”
“True. But if I ever were to find another girl worth dating then there’s the whole dating thing and going out. Then the dogs gets left behind again and shunned while you try to impress the other person and get to know them. I dunno.”
“Well, you could always start with fish or hamsters or something.”
“I had fish once. As you can tell by the fact there’s no tank in my apartment, tells you all you need to know about how that turned out. Lasted about a year before I gave up and faced the fact that I didn’t know what I was doing,” he laughed. “And as for hamsters, well, those little things ain’t my idea of a real pet. What about you?”
“Well, moving around as much as I have doesn’t really allow for any type of pet.”
“I mean before all this.”
“Before all this I was…”
Parker was interrupted by the vet coming out to talk to them.
“You the owner?” he asked.
“Me? No,” Turner said. “Didn’t they tell you. It was a stray I found in our complex. It was hurt so I just brought him in.”
“Oh. Well that was really nice of you.”
“Yeah. So how’s it doing?”
“He’ll be fine. Had a slight laceration in his paw. We put a bandage on it and he’ll be good as new in a couple days.”
“Well that’s good. How much do I owe you?” Turner asked.
“I thought you said it wasn’t yours?”
“It’s not but who else is gonna pay for its care?”
“A noble gesture but don’t worry about it. It’s a minor wound. We’ll take care of it.”
“So what’ll happen to the cat once it’s better? Just let it go?” Turner wondered.
“No. It’s a young cat so we’ll contact a local animal shelter to see if it can go through the adoption process. It’ll be fine.”
“OK. Well, thanks for your time.”
“Thank you for your efforts,” the vet said. “Could use more people like you out there.”
Parker and Turner left and got back in the car.
“So where we off to now?” Turner wondered.
“How bout a late breakfast?” she asked.
“I could go for that.”
They drove around for a few minutes, looking for a good spot to eat, before they finally settled on a diner. They both ordered pancakes and French toast. Turner carefully observed as Parker put syrup on her pancakes.
“What?” she asked.
“I’m just watching how you eat your pancakes. I notice they’re not completely plain. A little different than your usual style,” he joked.
She smiled and continued eating. Turner couldn’t believe how pretty she was. Even early in the morning she looked amazing. It was hard to believe that as sexy as she was that she was a CIA agent. Not only that, but a dangerous one who’s killed more people than he could even imagine.
“You never finished your thought back there,” Turner noted.
“Back where?”
“At the vet. About how you never had pets.”
“Oh. Well I was saying that this is all I’ve really known,” she said.
“Well what’d you do before this?”
She looked down at the table and hesitated before answering. “I’ve been with the CIA since I was seventeen. This is all I’ve ever been.”
“Seventeen?” Turner astonishingly asked. “Don’t you need to be a certain age and have a degree or something?”
“For most people. There are exceptions.”
“Well it’s already clear you’re an exception. I mean to look like you and be an agent is an exception.”
“Look like what?”
“Like, you know.”
“Like what?” she asked, moving her hands off the table, honestly not knowing what he was referring to.
“Like…gorgeous, and sexy, and stunning, and…it goes on and on.”
Parker laughed and looked away, a little flustered. “Well, thank you. I’m not sure I’d agree with all that but it’s nice of you to say.”
“Not agree? Have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately?” Turner asked.
“Well, that’s very sweet of you.”
“And how’d you get into the CIA at seventeen anyway?”
“Well I told you I was in an orphanage. One of the places they recruit from is troubled teens with no family. Nobody to miss them.”
“And they just put you to work?”
“It’s not quite that simple. They identify certain criteria that they’re looking for. Once they select you, you’re put through a long, rigorous training process. They mold you into what they want you to be.”
“Which was what in your case?”
“To be a ghost.”
“A ghost?”
“Ghosts. That’s what we’re called.”
“So how’d they do it?” Turner asked.
“I’d rather not talk about it,” she replied, embarrassed.
“No, I’d like to know. Like how’d they do it?”
“They spent the next four years molding me into the agent that they wanted. They taught me new languages, how to blend in, how to disappear, how to survive, and…”
“And what?”
“And how to kill. How to kill in every possible situation, with whatever is at your disposal. They turned me into a killing machine. Unquestioning of orders, mission after mission, never missing home because, well, you have no home to go back to,” she explained, looking down at the table, upset and fighting back the tears.
“I’m so sorry. I really didn’t mean to pry and…”
“No, it’s fine. It’s what I am and what I’ve had to deal with. For instance, did you know even without a gun I could kill you in eleven different ways right here?”
“Eleven. Wow. That’s uhh…very interesting. And frankly…a little disturbing,” he smiled.
“I’m sorry. I was just trying to make a joke,” she shook her head.
“No, it’s good. So don’t you ever wonder about what it’d be like to not be an agent?”
“Only briefly. But then I remember that this is all I know to do. What else could I be?”
“I dunno. Maybe a police officer or something. Start a family of your own some day,” Turner suggested.
“I doubt it. I think most men would be put off once they learned of my past.”
“Didn’t put off me.”
She smiled. “Well, you’re a special guy.”
“So have you really killed over a hundred people?”
“What?”
“Cole told me you did.”
“Cole loves to talk about that kind of stuff,” Parker stated.
“So was he right?”
“Would it matter to you if he was.”
“No,” he shook his head.
“Yes. It is. Do you think less of me now?”
“No. I was just curious.”
“We should probably get going,” she said, looking at the time.
Parker couldn’t believe they’d been at the diner for over an hour. She got so caught up in talking to Turner and just being around him that she completely lost track of the time. It was approaching noon and though she didn’t have any particular place to go, just wanted to get out.
“Where to now?” Turner asked.
“I’m not sure.”
“I thought you said we were gonna go knock on some doors?”
“Yeah, well, I was mostly saying it just to get out of the house. I’m not sure what doors to knock on,” she stated.
“Oh. You can knock on my door if you want,” he teased.
“I’m sure I could,” she laughed.
They drove around for a couple of
hours, hoping something would come to them, something they’d been missing, but to no avail.
“What about when you two were at USC? Any places you went or anywhere he liked to go?” Parker asked.
Turner thought long and hard for a few minutes, trying to come up with something. “No. Nothing that I can remember.”
A few minutes later Cole called Parker. “What’s up?” she answered.
“Just got the word back from Burnett about our guy in the pictures,” Cole said.
“And?”
“Seems he was a Russian arms dealer and drug smuggler. Got a name and some leads. You still out with your boyfriend?”
“He’s not my…,” she started to say, looking over at him.
“Yeah, sure. You two lovebirds get back here,” he remarked.
“On our way.”
“Where we heading?”
“Back to Cole’s place. Seems like the results came in from the scan,” she told him.
They got back to Cole’s within a half hour. Cole was waiting for them and had all the information laid out on his desk.
“What took you so long? Stop for a quickie at the motel?” he said with a laugh.
“What? What motel?” Turner asked, not quite getting the reference.
“Just ignore him,” Parker said. “He thinks he’s funny.”
“Well, our boy’s name is Grigori Nazarov.”
“Nazarov. I’ve heard of him before,” Parker stated.
“Over the past few years he’s become an increasingly larger player in the arms dealer race along with dabbling in the international drug trade.”
“So where do we find him?” Turner asked.
“WE don’t find him anywhere. Agent Parker and I will take the necessary steps. You…do whatever it is that you do,” Cole responded.
“So…you want me to do nothing?”
“Yeah. That’s pretty much it.”
Turner’s phone then started ringing. He made a little face when he saw it was his sister.
“Hey Vicki,” he greeted.
“Hey bro, what’s up?”
“Nothing.”
“Any plans for tonight?” she asked.
“Umm, I’m not sure yet. I may have something to do.”
Cole sat there and shook his head no at him.
“Oh. Cause I’m going on a date with Brad tonight and was wondering if you wanted to double,” Vicki said.
“Not another blind date,” Turner replied, causing Cole to shake his head in approval.
“You’d love to,” Cole whispered forcefully.
“I think you’d really like this one,” his sister stated.
Cole shook his head again and pointed his finger at him.
“Fine,” Turner sighed. “Who is it?”
“Great. Her name’s Marissa.”
“You do know what’s happened on the last three blind dates I’ve been on with you.”
“Yes, but unlike those other ones, I’ve actually met this one. She’s very pretty and so nice. You’ll love her. Trust me,” Vicki said.
“Pretty and nice, huh? Wow. Unusual combo.”
“So you’ll do it?”
“Yeah, sure. Where to?”
“We’ll stop by at your place and pick you up around seven, then we’ll go out to dinner. How’s that sound?”
“Sounds so fantastic,” he sarcastically said.
“I know in your head you’re really thinking you’re gonna hate it again but I promise you’ll like this one,” she promised.
“OK. I trust you,” he said, hanging up the phone. “Happy?” he asked Cole.
“Nice and pretty, huh?” Cole asked, looking at Parker. “Never know. Maybe you’ll even get lucky,” he said, looking over at her again.
Parker got an uncomfortable look on her face though she tried hard not to show it.
“Are you sure you guys won’t need me tonight?” Turner asked.
“Agent Parker and I have gotten by just fine in our careers up to this point before you came along. I think we’ll be able to manage this assignment without you,” Cole replied.
“Fine. I’ll go on this silly date then,” he dejectedly said, leaving the apartment.
“So where’s Nazarov?” Parker asked.
“He’s rumored to be involved in a nightclub in downtown L.A.”
“Time to party.”
Chapter 6
Turner had just gotten dressed for his blind date when he heard a knock on the door. He assumed it was his sister and the others, so he was pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be Parker. Especially with how she looked. She had a short, black dress on that didn’t leave much to the imagination. Turner stood there, paralyzed, as he looked her over. He snapped out of it after a few seconds, realizing he hadn’t said anything.
“Hey,” Turner greeted, letting her in. “What’s up?” he asked, trying not to ogle her.
“Oh. I uhh…just wanted to wish you luck on your date tonight.”
“Oh. Thanks. And uhh, you too, looks like you got one of your own.”
“Oh, this? No. It’s not a date. Cole and I are going to a nightclub that Nazarov is rumored to be involved with. So, no, just work.”
“Well, you look amazing,” he confessed.
“Thanks. Well, like I said, I just wanted to say I hope you have a good time tonight. You deserve it,” she said.
“That’s nice of you but I’m pretty sure nothing will come of it.”
“Why do you think that?” Parker asked.
“It’s just the type of luck I have.”
“Can I tell you something?”
“Sure.”
“You’re a great guy. I know you were hurt a long time ago but at some point you have to let it go and kind of move on. Don’t let one person define who you are and how you look at yourself. You have a lot to offer. You’re smart, you’re caring, you’re funny. Most women would kill for a guy like you,” she told him.
“I don’t know about all that,” he embarrassingly replied.
“I don’t know what woman wouldn’t find you appealing,” she said, fixing a button on his shirt. “You look very handsome.”
“Thanks. What about…a woman like you?”
Parker took a gulp before replying. “Well, a woman like me can’t really fall in love since I’m out on missions most of the time,” she smiled.
“Didn’t you have something with Heath?” Turner asked.
“That was different. My relationship with Heath was based mostly on convenience rather than love. And we weren’t in love anyway.”
“Oh. So you couldn’t fall in love with someone, ever?”
“Well, even if I were to fall for a guy, it wouldn’t be right or fair for me to express that to him knowing that I’d have to go and leave him eventually,” she said. “I wouldn’t want to break his heart. Especially if it was already broken before.”
Turner thought she was talking about him. It sure sounded like it. It sounded like she was implying she was interested in him but just wasn’t saying it. But he wasn’t a hundred percent certain. He was always bad at reading a woman’s clues. He couldn’t help but wish he was actually going out with her instead, especially with her looking so good.
A few minutes later there was another knock on the door. Turner opened the door to reveal his sister with her boyfriend, Brad. Vicki was two years younger than Ryan, but was always very mature for her age, and often times acted like she was the older sibling. Her and Brad had been dating for a year and a half and both were convinced that the relationship was leading somewhere. Turner got along well with Brad and was always happy for the both of them. Turner was a little confused as he let the pair in but there was no sign of his date.
“Did my date back out?” he asked.
“No. She’ll be here in a few minutes. I offered to pick her up but she wanted to drive herself,” Vicki replied, quickly noticing the beautiful, scantily clad woman standing in his living room. She looked at Brad, who looked back a
t her, with his eyes bulged out and was wondering himself what was going on. “Ryan,” Vicki whispered, nudging his arm. “Who is that?”
“Oh,” he walked over to Parker. “This is my friend Alex. This is my sister Vicki, and her boyfriend, Brad.”
“Hi. So nice to meet both of you,” Parker said.
“Same here,” Vicki smiled. “Ryan, can I talk to you in the kitchen for a sec?”
“Sure,” he replied, his sister pulling him into the kitchen.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“You’re about to go on a date with a woman who will be here any minute and there’s some buhh…a beautiful blonde, who’s very…not wearing much and seems very endowed standing in your living room. That’s not a great first impression for a date,” she forcefully whispered.
“Relax. Alex is just a friend. She’s my neighbor. She’s going out to a club tonight and just stopped by to wish me luck on my date.”
“You told her about your date?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“It’s a little ironic that she shows up looking like that when you’re about to go on a date.”
“What are you trying to say?” he asked.
“Nothing. I’m sure she’s very nice,” she said, noticing Brad seemed to be enjoying talking to her. “But what do you think your date will think if she sees her standing there?”
“That she’s just a friend?”
“Wait a minute. Didn’t you tell me the other day there was a girl you were interested in? Is this her?” Vicki wondered.
“Uhh…yeah, I did say that.”
“You were talking about her?”
“Well, at the time, I thought it might go somewhere,” he said. “But we talked some more and we’re just gonna stay friends.”
“You’re positive?”
“Yeah. There’s nothing going on with us.”
“Is she a model or something? Cause she looks like she could be on the cover of a magazine.”
“No. She works in uhh, security. A security analyst or something like that,” he lied.