The Spy You Trust

Chapter 7

Layla paced in Charles’s room. She thought about everything she found out through her sources and was eagerly waiting for him to come back so she could tell him. She glanced down at her watch. Dinner ended 20 minutes ago. He should be back into his room by now.

‘Ugh. Where the hell is he?’ She thought as she sat on his bed and put her head in her hands.

She couldn’t pace anymore. Her body was shaking with the news she discovered, and she needed to tell someone before she exploded. Obviously, the only person she could tell was Charles. He was the only one she could trust.

Charles casually walked into his room and Layla flung herself at the door. She closed it quickly but quietly and turned around to face Charles.

“Layla. You almost gave me a heart attack! What are you doing in here?”

Layla put her hands on her hips. “Uh, how about a nice hello?”

He sighed and gave her a quick kiss. “Hello. Now, again. What are you doing in here? You know how much trouble we’ll be in if we get caught.”

“You asked me to tell you when I found something about Molly’s new partner. So here I am.”

“Really? So quickly? I would’ve thought it would’ve taken you a few more hours.” Charles stalked over to his desk and sat on his chair backwards.

Layla put her hand on her chest like she was insulted. “Me? Take more than 8 hours? Do you have such little faith in me?”

Charles let out a low chuckle. “You’re right. I forgot who I’m dealing with here. So, what did you find out about this mysterious agent?”

“Nothing.”

Charles stared at her for a minute. “I thought you just said that you found something.”

Layla sat on his bed and looked at him. “I did. That’s what I’m trying to tell you. There’s nothing on him anywhere. I listened to the bug I planted in Marcello’s office last month and heard that his name is Jason Durell. I used every source I have and then some to discover that he doesn’t exist. There is no Jason Durell anywhere in any system. Not even a parking ticket or birth certificate.”

“Okay so maybe you heard the wrong name.”

“Or someone deleted every mention of him so that he could go around undetected. Someone like Marcello.” Layla leaned closer to him like she was trying to prove a point.

Charles stood up and started pacing. “So, this Durell really could be the one. He could be the one who Marcello sent to kill Molly’s parents.” He thought for a second. “Oh, and then he partners her up with him. What a sadistic bastard.”

“If Durell really did kill Molly’s parents, why would Marcello want her anywhere near him? Isn’t he afraid that she’s going to figure it out? I mean it’s not like he doesn’t know that she spends all day and night trying to find him. Just one little slip of the tongue and Durell could expose himself.”

Charles looked at her and it all became clear to him in a second. “That’s it. Layla, you’re a genius!”

Layla stood up, confused. “Okay hold on. Go back. I missed something.”

Charles sighed. “Don’t you see? That’s exactly what Marcello wants! He wants her to find out. Think about it. Everything changed the day her parents died. His perfect creation was no more. He’s willing to do anything to bring it back. So, if she finds out that it was Durell who killed her parents…” He trailed off, hoping Layla would understand.

Layla gasped. “That would bring it all back? Her anger towards him could send it all flooding back?”

“I don’t know. Maybe. I think he’s desperate enough to try. I mean he’s tried everything he can think of and nothing’s worked. This is probably his last resort.”

“Charles. You understand what that means though, right?”

Charles looked confused for a second before it came to him. “He’s farther along in his plan than we thought. He needs to use her. Soon.”

Layla nodded and pushed her lips closer together. She knew that Charles wanted to stop Marcello before Molly ever got involved.

“Dammit!” Charles walked over to his window. He put his hands on the window sill and leaned his forehead against the cool glass with his eyes closed.

Layla was behind him in an instant, rubbing his back, and trying to say soothing words. As much as she didn’t care for Molly, she knew how precious she was to Charles and their boss. She swallowed hard before speaking.

“Charlie? I hate to ask. I know how much you care for her but… are you sure that Molly isn’t with Marcello? Are you sure that she hasn’t been faking everything this whole time? I mean he did adopt her.”

Charles slightly opened his eyes and looked outside at the street. How could Layla think that? He was just about to turn around and yell at her when he saw a flash of blonde hair right outside of the institution and focused his eyes on it. It took him a minute to understand what he was seeing, but he put his finger on the glass as soon as he did.

“Does that look like she’s a part of it?”

Layla looked out the window towards where Charles was pointing. Sure enough, there was Molly being carried by Durell. She was passed out and being put into a car. Layla opened her mouth to say something but was interrupted by Charles instead.

“Yeah I didn’t think so. She must have found out and things didn’t go as planned. Come on. We need to follow him before he hides her where we won’t find her.”

Charles ran out of his bedroom door and Layla followed quickly behind. She felt bad about what she had just asked him, but it had to be asked. He never even suspected the possibility. He was too close to Molly, and Layla thought that meant he couldn’t see straight about her. Obviously, she knew now she was wrong.

The couple ran out a side emergency door, making an alarm go off. They had a car parked there in case they ever needed a quick escape. Right now, Layla jumped into the driver’s seat while Charles jumped into the passenger seat. She floored the gas pedal and raced off the street in the direction that Durell had left. She had to make up for lost time while still staying far enough away that Durell wouldn’t notice them following.

“Layla. Slow down. That’s them up ahead. If you catch up to them too quickly Durell will notice us which is exactly what we don’t want.”

Layla gritted her teeth and took her foot off the gas. The car slowed down sufficiently but still stayed a safe distance away from the kidnapper. Soon, they were driving on a road that was surrounded by woods.

“Where is he taking her?” Charles wondered aloud.

“They probably have a safe house somewhere that no one knows about. If we keep following them, we can find out where it is and let him know what happened today. He’s been asking me for an update about Marcello. I think this will get him off our backs for a while.”

“I don’t give a damn about what he wants. We need to keep Molly safe. That’s our mission. Unveiling Marcello is just a happy biproduct.”

Layla was about to argue when Durell’s car started to swerve on the road. Suddenly the passenger door opened, and someone jumped out. Durell’s car came to a stop and he ran down the hill towards the passenger who jumped.

Layla slammed on her brakes to avoid the car. After being at a complete stop, she looked over at Charles. “Was that-?”

Charles nodded his head. “Molly.”