Chapter One

It was a bright and sunny day in New York, not something Macy was used to. As she rushed down the street towards her next appointment, she smiled at the warmth of the sun hitting her face. Her chestnut hair fell to her shoulders and blew behind her as she walked she kept her head down as she walked- she was a little heavier and less pretty than the other girls and it made her shy and self-conscious. As she walked briskly down the street the chiming of a cell phone suddenly got her attention.

Normally a ringing cell phone would not cause a chill up her spine, but this one did. In a secret compartment of her purse, Macy hid a burner cellphone. It had been her secret for three years now and until now; she had never heard it ring. Stopping and pulling the phone from her purse, she stood in an alley entrance to answer the phone. Taking a deep breath to prepare herself, Macy answered the phone "Macy Daniels."

"Hi Macy." Macy's stomach turned as soon as the silky voice greeted her. She had never liked the woman and three years without her voice was not nearly enough. "It's Amanda."

"Hi. To what do I owe this call?" Macy asked.

"I was wondering if you have time for coffee. I have an opportunity to discuss with you."

Macy knew this opportunity wasn't really going to be an opportunity- it was going to her getting reactivated for an op. "Sure." She answered, knowing Amanda would not take anything but a yes or else she would be dead where she stood.

"Meet me at Javahouse at 2:00 PM." Amanda told her.

"I will see you," Macy glanced at her watch, "in 45 minutes."

"Bye." Amanda hung up.

Macy stared at the phone, and then put it back into her purse, back in a safe place. Immediately she was curious what Amanda could want. For three years Macy had lived a normal life, undercover as a sleeper agent. She knew at any time she could be pulled for a mission, but it was pretty surprising to get a call after three years. Macy headed to the coffee shop knowing she did not have enough time to do anything before she met Amanda.

Getting a coffee, Macy made herself comfortable in a booth near the back of the store, knowing Amanda would need the cover. She was only there about twenty minutes before the silky voice greeted her again. "Macy, prompt as always."

Macy looked up as Amanda slid into the seat across from her. "Nice to see you again."

Amanda returned her smile. "And you." She replied. "Your extended cover seems to have been suiting you well."

"I have been managing." Macy replied.

"I called you here to give you an assignment." Amanda got down to business.

Pulling a file out of her bag, she unclipped a picture and slid it across the table to Macy. Glancing at the photo, Macy saw a young man, scruffy-looking with a beard and long blond hair. Macy guessed he was in his early thirties. Taking a sip of her coffee, she asked, "So who is this?"

"His name is BIrkhoff. Seymour." She answered, taking a drink of her coffee.

"Who's Seymour Birkhoff?"

"He's our technician at Division. Recently he has had some contact with an enemy of ours. Seymour claims that she assaulted him, but I think they may be working together, because she still has access to our information."

"Division is surveilling him then- what do you need me for?" Macy was confused.

"They are not." Amanda sat back in the booth. "Percy has chosen to believe Birkhoff, but I am not that easy. I am acting on my own." Amanda locked eyes with Macy. "That's why I am using you."

"Because nobody knows me." Macy finished Amanda's thought.

"Exactly." Amanda smiled. "Just as smart as I remember." Amanda replied.

"How am I going to get in with him? I get the feeling he is in Division a lot- and you don't exactly encourage relationships." Macy was trying to figure out what angle Amanda was going to use.

"We're going to lift that restriction- to him- as a reward." Amanda replied. "I have convinced Percy to hire a new tech. You'll work directly with Birkhoff. Since you are not a recruit, he will be allowed to touch."

Rolling her eyes, Macy replied, "Do you really think that a guy is going to go for me?"

Amana laughed. "Oh trust me. Birkhoff will be more than happy to look at you."

"So when do we start?" Macy asked.

"Right now." Amanda replied as Macy started to feel drowsy.

"Really?" Macy couldn't believe it. Amanda must have someone working in the store. "You drugged me?"

She started to fight her eyelids drooping. "I have to get you in somehow." Amanda shrugged as Macy fell asleep.