I don't own any of these characters. Enjoy!
Chapter 1
Alex
Alex was lugging along a backpack nearly bursting with homework. He sighed. The drawbacks of being a teenage spy. But if he was honest, there wasn't much of an up to being a teenage spy.
"Hey Alex!" he heard Tom shout. "You coming over this weekend."
"Can't," Alex shrugged. "I'm working."
"You mean…" Tom's face grew worried. "You're working with-"
"Extra French and Maths," Alex finished, rolling his eyes. "Much better than the family business."
"Oh," Tom said, clearly relieved. "Good. I'd hate to be a year ahead of you in school when this is all said and done."
"Yeah," Alex grinned. "It would be really embarrassing to be behind you in school."
The two boys laughed while they made their way outside. The sun greeted them, set like a jewel in a flawless blue sky. It was nice. So something naturally had to come to mess it up.
"Alex…" Tom frowned, gesturing to a parked car. An old Skoda was sitting in a familiar parking spot. "You don't think…"
"Yes," Alex grimaced. "Yes, I do think."
"Want me to come over there with you?" he asked.
Alex shook his head wordlessly. Tom had been there the day Skoda, the drug dealer, fell to his death in a construction site. It couldn't be him.
"Be careful," Tom warned.
"When am I not?" Alex forced a smile. "Don't answer that."
Tom nodded. He broke off and headed in the direction of his mom's apartment. As Alex approached, the window rolled down, revealing a familiar face in the driver's seat.
"Mr. Crawley," Alex said tonelessly.
"Alex," the old agent greeted, a ghost of a smile on his weathered face. "I hoped the vehicle choice would draw your attention."
"It could draw a whole lot more attention too," Alex frowned. "People might think Skoda is back in business."
"Yes," looked uncomfortable. "A few kids have come tapping at the window."
"Well? What is it this time?" Alex sighed, tossing his book bag in the back before sliding into the passenger seat. "Nuclear crisis? Hostage situation? Bomb threat?"
"An infiltration actually," replied. The Skoda rolled through the streets almost leisurely. "It might be nothing-"
"But it probably isn't," Alex interrupted. "I'm guessing Mrs. Jones will explain?"
Crawley nodded, eyes filled with genuine worry. Alex cocked his head. He didn't peg Crawley as a nervous man. Whatever the mission was, he probably should start writing his will.
