Redemption Lost: A Christy Spy Novel, #1

By Cindy M Hogan

Redemption comes at a cost. For some it is greater than others.

Christy has tried for years to forget the harrowing Washington, D.C., experiences that launched her into an unlikely spy career—especially since it jeopardized her friendship with Marybeth. But when Marybeth begs her to help find a lost friend, Christy sees it as an opportunity for redemption. 

Soon they discover there’s much more going on than a simple kidnapping. When the lost friend turns up dead and another acquaintance disappears, 

Christy questions how far she's willing to go for the sake of friendship, and whether it's worth becoming the murderer's next target.

• Language: English
• Publisher: O'neal Publishing
• Release date: Dec 20, 2016
• ISBN: 9781386231950

Cindy M Hogan

Cindy M. Hogan is a USA Today bestselling author of young adult suspense and action and adventure novels that always have a dash of clean romance. After her first series, The Watched Series, skyrocketed her to number one, she hasn’t let up and now has over 20 novels to her name. She’s always on the move and never sits down to write, instead she walks and talks into a recorder and lets her computer transcribe her words. If she isn’t writing or editing, she’s teaching, gardening or doing crafts. You’ll always find her listening to an audiobook while working in her park-like yard, cooking or baking something delicious. She dreams to someday have a German style bakery with a cute to-go window for Gelato. Cindy loves to create and her most prized creation is her two amazing daughters, and she secretly wishes they were teenagers again. She loves to be home, but her husband is a die-hard traveler and takes her family around the world. During her travels, she finds an endless supply of story ideas, characters and settings, walking away with either a suntan or jetlag. Her contagious laughter is the cure to almost anything. To read a novel of hers is to see a piece of Cindy, as she puts her all into every novel she writes.

Book preview

Chapter 1

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CHRISTY

Christy breathed in the chilly night air, a thrill running through her. She was exhausted, but happy. Another successful mission was coming to an end, and she had an envelope full of evidence to show for it. She reached the door of Paris Division 57 headquarters and turned to take in the city lights. A halo of light from the Arc de Triomphe lit the tops of the trees, making everything seem magical—more alive. She grinned, then turned to the retinal scanner.

Excellent work, Christy, Director Siron said just moments later when Christy handed over the envelope. I know I can always count on you to come through on a mission.

Just make sure the scumbag pays for what he’s done.

If these documents contain the information I think they do, we’ll have no problem with that. You look beat. Go get some rest.

Christy nodded and headed back into the light chaos that was always Division HQ. She kept her head down, hoping her lack of eye-contact would get her out of there faster. Now that she’d handed over the evidence, her fatigue was taking over. She needed to get home and sleep.

But before she could slip out, Ace intercepted her.

I know you’re beat, he said. She blinked at him and yawned, not dignifying his comment with a response. He tucked a chunk of his long, light brown hair behind his ear. I’m sorry—I’m tired too, but Jeremy got a message he thinks you’ll be interested in. Despite his obvious exhaustion, his brown eyes twinkled with interest, making his rugged good looks even more striking.

Can I look at it tomorrow? I don’t think I’ll be able to read anything right now.

Christy, Jeremy said, suddenly appearing. You’ve got to see this.

A grin slipped onto her lips. His was the only voice that could have convinced her to stay and give the message a look. She followed Jeremy into Ace’s tech corner in a separate wing of the building. He wore designer jeans, boots, and a t-shirt that was just tight enough to make her heart race. They stood at Ace’s desk, his various computer monitors glowing harshly in the dark room. Christy’s eyes burned and her body felt squishy and tingly. She needed a bed.

I got this message last night and didn’t know what to make of it at first. It was forwarded from the Bresen Spy Academy and not just to me, but over a wide range of addresses. Since Bresen doesn’t know where you are, they sent out a wide net. Smart.

That got her attention. Even Bresen thought this was important. She blinked hard, trying to get some moisture into her eyes so that she could read the screen in front of her. She leaned in and the boys moved back, giving her room. The message was brief, addressed to someone named Ari.

Ari? It took a moment for her to remember, possibly because she was so tired, but just as likely because she’d been through so many aliases since then. Ari was her alias at Bresen.

Ari -

I need you. Come to the place where it all began.

Melanie

Immediately, she knew who had sent the message. Marybeth Byrd, her good friend from D.C. While Christy had gone on to join Division 57 as a spy, she’d been hired on to be a spy in the world of politics, with a completely different organization. It’d been over three years since Christy had seen or heard from her. Her heart turned cold. Marybeth was in danger.

Ace, Christy said, turning to him and moving to the side of the computer. He raised his dark eyebrows, expectancy in his eyes. "It’s Marybeth Byrd, a good friend of mine. She works for that political spy organization, Polity. She’s in D.C. somewhere. Could you get me her contact information?"

I’m on it. He reached out a tattooed arm toward his chair. Christy stared out the high, narrow windows that gave a glimpse at the star-strewn sky, memories of her time at Bresen Spy Academy flooding back to her. Distantly, she heard Ace roll his chair in front of his computer and start typing. Her arm warmed as Jeremy’s brushed hers. Something suddenly occurred to her. When was the original email sent to the academy? She whirled around and looked at the computer screen.

Last night. Jeremy said, his voice calm. Christy’s anxiety calmed slightly. They sent it almost instantaneously to me. He yawned. They were all exhausted.

What if something happened to her in the hours it took you to find the email?

I’m sure she’s fine. Jeremy put his arm around her and gave her a side hug. She wished she could melt into his arms, but she knew that anything more intimate would signal Division about their true relationship.

Ace’s fingers raced over the keyboard, the tip-tapping of the keys made everything seem even more urgent. He mumbled as he worked. Sneaky. I’ve got you. Oh, no you didn’t. Uh, huh. Okay. There you are. He swiveled on his chair. Is this her?

On the screen was a large picture of Marybeth from three years ago, exactly as she used to be. She wore her brown hair down, a light wave emphasizing its rich thickness. She had soft features and expressive eyes.

They really should have a bit tighter security than that.

You have her phone number already? It had only been a little over five minutes.

No. But I’m close. Are these guys legit? Ace asked.

Who? Jeremy asked.

Polity.

As far as I know. Is there something that leads you to believe they aren’t?

Maybe, Ace said, still typing away. Their site is disorganized. Nothing like Division’s organization. Anyway, I’ve got her alias now and a record of her mission details.

Christy put her hands on his desk and leaned in to read what was there.

Marybeth: Learn all about being a senator by becoming a nanny for Senator Alvarez.

What? she said, frowning. Is that it?

See what I mean?

It’s like the mission details were set up by a kid, Jeremy said.

I think even an organization kids would put together would give better instructions than that. Christy scratched at her temple.

Maybe they simply don’t put all mission details in this section of the records. It was easy to find, all things considered. Ace pushed back in his chair.

Well, Jeremy said. That’s not our problem, thank goodness.

Ace pulled up a couple other screens, and then Marybeth’s address and number appeared on the screen. Give it a try.

Christy was surprised to feel her hands tremble as she dialed Marybeth’s number. She hoped she’d answer. She prayed she could answer.

Hello? The soft, sweet voice of Marybeth said over the secure line.

Marybeth, Christy said, relief rushing over her. She was alive.

Christy? Marybeth said. Is that you?

It’s me. Christy grinned.

Christy. Oh, thank heaven. Marybeth’s voice filled Christy’s heart with warmth. Sorry for contacting you. I didn’t get you in any trouble, did I? I had to get a hold of you because of what happened.

No. No trouble, and that was pretty great that you thought to send it to Bresen. I’m glad they sent the message on.

Yeah. I was hoping. We should have set up ways to get in touch with each other. What were we thinking?

We had no idea how hard it might be to find each other being spies. Christy chuckled.

No we didn’t.

Christy stepped out of little room and started pacing the long walkway between the many tech specialists’ areas. So, what’s up?

Her words came out in a fast stream. My friend Bradley Durham is missing. The police think it was a hijacking, and they say they’re doing everything they can, but they don’t have any leads and I don’t think they can do anything. They’re looking for some random thief, but that’s wrong—I think someone was trying to get to Alvarez and they accidentally got Bradley instead.

She drew a breath and Christy cut in quickly. Slow down, Marybeth. None of these details are making sense to me. Start from the beginning—what happened?

Marybeth took a deep breath. Sorry. I’ll try to make more sense. I work for a senator—Senator Alvarez. Bradley works for him, too. He’s kind of his right hand man, really. Anyway, the other night, the senator was supposed to be at this rally, but he couldn’t make it. He sent Bradley in his place last minute—no one knew. He took the senator’s limo and everything. Well, somewhere between the Senate building and the convention center, the limo disappeared. The driver was found this morning, wandering around with a head wound, but there’s been no sign of Bradley.

Christy’s brow furrowed as she pieced the details together. So, they let the driver go, but not Bradley—so you’re thinking they weren’t after the car.

I think they were after Senator Alvarez. He was supposed to be in that limo. They took the limo, thinking they had Alvarez, and didn’t realize until they got—wherever they were going—that they had the wrong man.

So you want us to find your friend.

Yes.

And you think Senator Alvarez is still in danger?

Yes.

Christy walked back to Ace’s area and put Marybeth on speaker after shutting the door. I just put you on speaker, Marybeth. I want my team to hear what you said. Could you start at the beginning and tell your concern?

Marybeth did so, in a much more concise and straightforward manner this time. If anyone can find Bradley, I know you can. I’m worried about him, and worried about Senator Alvarez too. He’s a great man. He has a good family and knows how important families are and his legislation speaks to that and so many other fabulous causes. If they get to Alvarez, all the great things he was working on will never happen.

I’m sorry to have to ask you this, Jeremy broke in. But have you talked to Polity? To your handler?

Yes. They say there isn’t enough evidence to make it their problem.

Okay. Jeremy squinted.

Please. I know you guys can do this. I mean, you guys are the real deal.

Well, I can’t promise anything, but I will take it to Division and see if they’ll give us permission to act on this.

Oh, that would be wonderful, she breathed a sigh of relief.

We’ll get back to you as soon as we know.

Thanks, you guys.

They said their goodbyes. Her mind was already whirring with the next steps they needed to make. The exhaustion she felt earlier was still there, but she pressed it down, forcing herself awake through sheer willpower.

I’ll go talk to Siron. Jeremy left to go get the go ahead for the mission. Christy waited with baited breath.

So, you really want to head back to D.C.? Ace asked.

For Marybeth, yes. If she thinks this is important, then I trust her.

Finally Jeremy returned. "It’s a go.

Chapter 2

CHRISTY

Christy straightened her black tie over her womanly curves then groaned, feeling completely uncomfortable in the new, severely starched and ironed navy blue uniform. She tried to ignore the pressure that her shiny and still very stiff shoes put on the tops of her feet as she walked to her bed to retrieve her Capitol police hat. She pulled it down hard onto her head, yanking it to just over her tightly coiled bun.

Marybeth had identified a list of Senator Alvarez’s enemies in the Senate. It was a short list, just two senators—Senator Miller and Senator Edwards. Christy and Jeremy would be acting as their guards for a few days to try to determine whether they could be involved in a hit on Alvarez. Marybeth thought they were the two most likely culprits.

Jeremy stood in the doorway wearing the same uniform, a grin on his cleanly shaven and handsome face.

Don’t you dare, Jeremy. Don’t you dare.

What? he asked. I think you look beautiful.

Don’t be ridiculous. Only men with just the right tone and muscle could pull off these uniforms. She raised an eyebrow. He moved toward her.

And would you say I’m one of those fortunate men?

She bit her lip as he took her face in his hands. Her eyes fluttered shut as he kissed her.

No, no, no. None of that—you promised. Not while we’re on the job. Halluis glared at them from the hallway, his normally sardonic face stern. His thin mustache quivered with consternation.

Christy blushed and stepped back from Jeremy, shrugging ruefully. Working with him and not being able to touch him was hard, but being away from him would be harder. It was a balance—and a sacrifice—but they both lived with it for the sake of the job they were called to do.

Sorry, Hal. Last time, I promise.

Jeremy shook his head and sighed. Scout’s honor.

Halluis narrowed his eyes at them. I’ll keep you to that. You two better get a move on. Traffic is a beast here.

Christy nodded. You’re all set for the day, right?

Halluis grimaced and rolled his eyes. "Oui, chasing a missing limo, trail cold for three days. I imagine it will be very fruitful."

We have to follow every lead we have, you know that, Jeremy said. Like you said, Bradley Durham has been missing for three days already. That means we’re going to need an extraordinary amount of luck if we’re going to find him. Luck follows the diligent.

Yes, well I noticed you assigned yourselves the leads that might actually, you know, lead somewhere.

Are you questioning my direction this early in the game, Halluis? Jeremy’s tone was light, but Christy saw the twitch at his temple. He was irritated.

Come on, boys, let’s get some food, she said, pushing Jeremy toward the door.

Halluis stepped quietly down the stairs, and Christy stomped behind him, trying to break in her shoes as quickly as she could. Ace was in the kitchen finishing up a large bowl of cereal and plate of eggs.

Morning, slackers, Ace said. I was wondering when you were going to make it down.

Christy snorted. It was barely five a.m.—you had to get up early in this city if you wanted to get anywhere on time.

You have info on Durham for me? Halluis asked.

Ace slid a stack of papers half an inch thick toward Halluis. Of course. While you all had your heads on your pillows, I was working.

Maybe that’s because some of us actually have to use our bodies. Halluis gave Ace a withering look, which Ace answered by throwing a wadded up napkin in Halluis’s direction. It fell short by about a foot. Halluis quickly wadded up another napkin and hit Ace square in the face and then pointed to a flexed bicep and grinned.

All right, girls, Jeremy said. We’ve had enough of your bickering. You both work equally hard, just in different ways.

Ace screwed up his face in mock pain and then cleared a spot on the table and put his elbow down, hand in the air inviting Halluis to an arm wrestle.

Halluis’ arm flew into action and the second he took Ace’s hand in his, he applied pressure toward the table. Ace immediately corrected and their hands sat straight up, neither gaining the advantage. Strain showed on their faces, neither wanting to give up.

Oh, brother! Jeremy said. I declare you both very French and very strong. That seemed to take away the fun of it, and they let go and then shook hands and laughed. The two of them often acted like teenage boys and goofed off when they got together, Halluis asserting he was the only true Frenchman since he was from France and Ace a lesser Frenchman since he came from Montreal, Canada.

You got him everything on Bradley? Jeremy said, placing a hand on Ace’s shoulder. How are you doing on Miller and Edwards?

I actually started on Alvarez, but I’ll switch over if you think that’s more important.

I’d like to have an idea of the things that Senators Edwards and Miller are passionate about so I have a better idea about what’s causing the friction between them and Alvarez, so I guess I need it all. It’s not enough just to say they oppose each other’s bills simply because one is liberal and one is conservative, no matter how aggressive their debates are.

Ditto, Christy said. I’ll have the half hour in the car to grab some stuff though. I’ll review it as I stand there in a comatose state.

Halluis chuckled. If only we could all peruse documents in our heads as if they were right before us. One day that head of yours is going to explode with information, and it’s not going to be pretty.

Aren’t you full of sarcasm this morning, she said. I mean it’s always there, but you’ve gotten in all kinds of jabs in just a few minutes.

I blame it on politics and D.C. They drive me batty.

Yeah. Me, too, she said with a frown.

Feed us the intel as you uncover it, Jeremy said to both Halluis and Ace.

They answered in unison. Will do.

Ace cleared his plates and bowl and put them in the dishwasher. I’ll be in the cave. The large bedroom-turned-surveillance room was filled with all the electronic equipment Ace needed to do his job as well as a mini lab for him to create tech that the team might need.

Thanks, Ace, Jeremy said. We’d be blind without you. Ace lifted a hand in recognition and left.

Jeremy turned to Halluis. Be extra careful here in D.C. It’s loaded up with over-excitable cops and military people. They don’t fool around. It was an unnecessary caution to give to Halluis, who would have done his homework, but Jeremy was nothing if not thorough.

"You got that right. I’ll be careful. Au revoir." He left.

You must be my new guy—but you’re a girl. His perfectly straight teeth and lightly browned skin caught her attention as he smiled, but she still bristled. He probably thought a girl was unable to protect him. Yes, sir. At your service, sir.

While I appreciate you taking on a formal tone when others are present, I don’t require it when it’s just me. Tiny smile wrinkles formed at the corner of his blue eyes as he smiled again. His thick, perfectly styled, brown hair did not show a hint of gray.

Sir.

And you are?

She looked down to see if she had forgotten her name tag. It was there. Obviously noticing her looking, he said, I see that you’re Officer Hamilton, however I’d like to know your first name. The curious and welcoming look on his face made her want to like him. She reminded herself that he was a suspect.

Brittany, sir.

"Brittany. Just leave off the sir and we’ll get along just fine."

Thank you. I’ll try. It gets ingrained. She was liking him even more now.

He chuckled. I’m McKay. I hope we become good friends. Well, Brittany, if you could open my door, we’ll get a good start on the day. He handed her his keys.

She opened the door, stepped inside, and made sure it was safe. You’re good to go.

He punched something on his phone as he entered the room and put it up to his ear. I arrived. Yes, everything looks good for today. Pause. I love you too. Give the kids good morning kisses for me. Pause. Bye, Love. Have a good day.

So, he called his wife as soon as he walked in the door. Pretty great. His somehow disarming and inviting personality made her wonder how he could be at odds with anybody and how in the world he could be involved with the kidnapping at all. He seemed like a really good guy. She immediately figured it must be Jeremy’s guy, Senator Edwards who was the bad one. She hated to admit it, but she liked Senator Miller already. She held back a grimace. That probably meant this lead was a dead end.

Still, Marybeth had identified him as one of Alvarez’s enemies. She’d stick with him for now—and hope that Jeremy was finding something more fruitful.

She stood right inside the door as his room filled up with people from his think tank as well as a couple other senators. She checked them off a list as they entered. They discussed an interesting healthcare bill Miller was sponsoring. The morning flew by, and Christy liked what she heard, pleasantly surprised that she wasn’t bored out of her skull. The thought and care put into the bill made her like the senator even more.

She wanted to look up the proposed bill as soon as she was off work or maybe even at lunch. And then she chided herself. She hadn’t paid attention to anything else in the room that morning because she was so caught up in the discussion and the brainstorming. She hadn’t done her job. At least nothing had been said or had happened to make her wonder about his relationship with Senator Alvarez. She promised herself she’d be better after lunch.

She couldn’t wait to get with Jeremy to hear his impressions of Senator Edwards and if he had gotten any good intel from him. Various Capitol officers shifted through all the senators, giving other officers time for lunch and breaks. She hoped he’d be on the same lunch break as her. She hurried off to the cafeteria.

She sat at the closest table to the door and ate a grilled cheese sandwich with a side of broccoli and a salad. She scanned the room constantly, looking for Jeremy. She was dying to talk to him about his day. Really, she’d love to talk to him about anything, but in this moment she was desperate for some good news. She knew it was probably too soon, but she couldn’t help wishing that he’d learned something already. Standing guard with Senator Miller wasn’t exactly heart-pounding, despite her interest in this morning’s meeting.

The man seemed like a perfect boy scout; she couldn’t imagine him being involved in Bradley Durham’s disappearance. She could only hope that one of the other team members was onto something. They needed a real lead, and soon.

Her eyes made yet another circuit around the room and caught on a familiar face. She had to fight not to gasp. Marybeth Byrd stood in the doorway of the cafeteria, holding a briefcase and scanning the crowded room. She’d changed since Christy last saw her, of course she had, but Christy would recognize her anywhere, no matter what superficial changes she made to her appearance. Her long brown hair was now shoulder length, but still perfectly shiny. Her soft, engaging face and her perfectly shaped button nose were still exactly the same. Her eyes met Christy’s, and it seemed she recognized her too. Her formerly anxious face broke into a grin and she crossed over to her. The innocence she’d always exuded shined through brighter than ever.

Christy stood and met her with a hug.

Oh my goodness, Ch— she started, and Christy quickly cut her off.

Hi! Yeah, Alicia, it’s me—Brittany! She pulled out of the hug and gave Marybeth a meaningful look. She blushed, and Christy squeezed her arm, letting her know it was an honest mistake. It’s been too long, she said, grabbing her garbage from the table. I’ll get rid of this stuff so that we can get properly reacquainted. Marybeth walked with her to throw away the trash.

They left the cafeteria, and Marybeth led her to a door down the hallway and opened it. The room was full of stacked chairs and desks and other furniture. This is kind of an overflow room that I often come to when I need to get away from the chaos.

Nice. Christy perused the room. It reminded her of a school classroom. She immediately found a camera in the ceiling and tried to put Marybeth on to it, but she didn’t seem to understand.

Can we talk? Marybeth asked. I’m so glad I ran into you, I didn’t know how I was going to—

Sorry, Christy said quickly, again cutting her off before she could give them away. The place was rigged with cameras; it could absolutely be bugged too. I’ve got to get back soon. But it is so nice to run into you. I’d really love to catch up. Maybe we can get together? She raised her eyebrows slightly and nodded in the direction of the camera. Marybeth looked confused for a moment, then her eyes widened in understanding.

Oh—um—right, she stammered, her cheeks reddening. Of course. You have to get back to work. Why don’t you, uh, give me a call? Now that you’re back in town?

Christy smiled encouragingly and they walked back out into the hall. The alarm on her phone rang. Hey, I gotta get back.

Sorry about that, Marybeth said, her head motioning toward the compromised room as she pulled out her phone. Give me your number and we can get together. They stepped out of the busy walkway.

I’d love that. She entered