Chapter 2: The Mission Explained

Mr. Hallett liked a lot of time to pack for a trip.  Several days, preferably.  That way, he had plenty of time to remember everything he needed.  There was no last-minute rush, and he could go to the airport with perfect peace-of-mind.

He didn’t have that luxury this time.  Two hours—then, he and his wife would be playing chaperone to the youngest spies they’d ever met.  For an extended period of time!  It was a good thing that Mrs. Hallett was a quick packer.  He’d never have gotten packed in two hours by himself.  Well, he might have, but he would’ve had to go shopping for something once he arrived.  He was just loading his last pair of socks into the suitcase when the doorbell rang again.

“That must be them,” said Mrs. Hallett.  “Can you get it?”

“Sure thing,” said Mr. Hallett, heading to the door.  He sighed.  “I’m starting to have second thoughts about this,” he muttered to no one in particular.

There were his four “children,” all packed and ready to go.  “We’re here,” said Drew.  “Which car are we taking?”

“I guess the minivan,” said Mr. Hallett, motioning to the Toyota Sienna.  “Hold on.  I’ll unlock it for you.”

“Thanks!” said Drew.  “We’ll load it up.”

Mr. Hallett watched from the door as the spies stuffed his minivan full of suitcases.  A lot of suitcases.  The four all had at least two bags.  Some of them were small enough to be carry-ons, but it was still quite a load.

“What are they bringing?” he thought to himself, but he said nothing.

“They’re all in,” said Drew, coming back.  “We’ll be happy to put your suitcases in too, if you want.”

“Sure,” said Mr. Hallett.  “Here’s mine.  Sally’s just closing hers.”

“Fine,” said Drew.  “Uh—I don’t want to sound rude, but we probably should get going in the next ten minutes if we want to make it to the airport in time.”

It was actually just seven minutes before Mrs. Hallett finished packing and loaded her suitcase into the car.  The spies all climbed in, fastened their seatbelts, and sat waiting to go even before Mr. and Mrs. Hallett had opened their doors.

Mr. Hallett peeked in the backseat, then marveled.  “My children were never this easy when we were going somewhere.”

“You’ve got to be well-disciplined if you want to be a spy,” said Drew.  “Slip-ups can be fatal.”

“Fatal?” said Mr. Hallett.

“For spies,” said Drew.  “You’re not one, so don’t worry.”

Mrs. Hallett got in and fastened her seatbelt, Mr. Hallett backed out of the driveway, and they headed off to the airport.  “Just where are we going, exactly?”

“I can’t tell you everything,” said Drew, “but that’s something you should know.  We’re taking United Flight 3690 to Denver.  There, we’ll have a forty-six minute layover before transferring to 447 to Los Angeles.  Once we arrive at the airport, there should be a limo waiting for us.  The driver will be holding a sign marked Hallett when you get off—go straight to him.  As I said earlier, we will be staying with a man named Steve Blaine.  Officially, you are there to help him purchase a golf course.”

“Help him purchase a golf course?” exclaimed Mr. Hallett.

“Naturally,” said Drew.  “That’s why we wanted you.  Since you were an attorney, you should know enough about property law to help him with the transaction.  There is a golf course in the area that might be for sale.  Your cover story is that you and Mr. Blaine are good friends, which is why he’s having us come stay with him instead of hiring someone more local.  Got it?”

“I—I think so,” said Mr. Hallett.  “What’s your role in all this?”

“I can only tell you a little about that,” said Drew.  “Let’s just say that Mr. Hallett has something that might get stolen, and we’re coming to prevent that from happening.”

“What, exactly?” asked Mr. Hallett.

“You’re safer not knowing,” said Drew.  “If you don’t know what it is, you’ll be absolutely useless to whoever’s trying to steal it.”

“Has someone already attempted to steal this—this—whatever it is?” asked Mrs. Hallett.

“I can’t say anything more about it,” said Drew.  “Just focus on the golf course, and remember, Mr. Blaine’s a good friend of yours.  We’ll take care of the assignment.”

“Okay,” said Mr. Hallett.  They drove on in silence for a few seconds, as Mr. Hallett mulled over the information.  Then, “How long have you all been spies, anyway?”

“Since I was 12,” said Drew.  “This is my sixth year; Renee just became one.  Twelve is when the program starts.”

“So you’ve already been on assignments?”

“Yes, several,” said Drew.  “I would tell you about them, but—you know, top secret.”

“I see,” said Mr. Hallett.  He glanced back at his passengers.  “You and Carol are over sixteen; do you both have your driver’s licenses?”

“I’ve got mine,” said Drew.

“Me too,” said Carol.  At that, Edward burst out laughing.

“Yeah, somehow you got your license.  How much did the DMV charge for you to pass the test?”

“I passed it fair and square!” retorted Carol, blushing a little.

“Must’ve been a fluke,” said Edward.  “You see, Mr. Hallett, Carol’s the worst driver in the world.”

“I am not!” said Carol.  “I’m not the best—”

“Or even close,” said Renee.  “Don’t let her drive your car, Mr. Hallett.”

Mrs. Hallett laughed.  “I’m sure she can’t be that bad.”

“You think?” said Edward.

Drew gave a more diplomatic answer.  “Carol’s still working on her driving ability,” he said.  “We try to keep her off the road when we’re on an assignment.  It’s best that way.”

“Good thing you can shoot straighter than you can drive,” quipped Edward.

“Shoot?” said Mr. Hallett.  “You all carry guns?”

“Carol and I do,” said Drew.  “Edward and Renee aren’t old enough yet.  Before you turn sixteen, they only let you carry tranquilizers.”

“Tranquilizers?” said Mrs. Bates.

“They’re very careful,” said Drew.  “So are we. We’ve never had to use them, but it’s best to be prepared!”

“I don’t like the sound of this,” said Mrs. Hallett.  “What’s so special about this mission, anyway?  Don’t they save you for high-risk ones?”

“Of course,” said Edward, “but this is one of those.  The last spy assigned to this case got killed.”

“KILLED???” exclaimed the Hallett’s simultaneously.

“Now, Edward,” said Carol.  “That’s just speculation.  We don’t know for sure.”

“If he hasn’t made contact in a week, I think it’s a pretty safe bet,” said Edward.

“Are we going to be in danger?” said Mr. Hallett, glancing at his wife.

“Oh, don’t worry about that!” said Drew.  “You two shouldn’t be.  These spies are clever, and they won’t make a move if you don’t make one on them.  Leave the spying to us, and they’ll ignore you.”

“What about you all?” asked Mrs. Hallett.  “If you’re spying, then you’ll be in danger?”

“They won’t suspect us!” said Edward.

“In other words, yes,” said Mrs. Hallett.  “Dear, do you think we should go along with this?  We don’t want to put these kids in danger.”

“You won’t be,” said Drew.  “If you back out, we’ll just find someone else to go in your place.  We’ve been assigned to this mission, and we’re going, whether you help or not.”

“Don’t worry about us,” said Carol.  “We can take care of ourselves.”

Mr. Hallett saw there was no changing the youngsters’ minds.  “You heard what they said, Sally,” he said.  “We’re not going to make things any riskier for them.  I say we go ahead.”

“Oh, alright,” said Mrs. Hallett.  “As long as we’re not putting you in any extra danger.”

“One more thing,” said Drew, as they were parking.  “Iowa and Denver are safe.  No one has any idea where we’re coming from.  Once we get to Los Angeles, it’s a completely different story.  Don’t trust anyone outside of Mr. and Mrs. Blaine and my family.  And don’t breathe a word of this, even when you think you’re alone.  There’s no telling who might be listening.  Got it?”

Mr. and Mrs. Hallett nodded.

“Good,” said Drew.  “I think we’re leaving from Gate C3.  Let’s not miss our flight!”