Shi...take Spy

By Chris

"I told you before, I can't order those parts without the proper authorization," she growled, then slammed the receiver into its cradle. "Those guys will never learn."

"Excuse me…"

She didn't turn around to look. Exotic voices were the norm in this place, and she'd heard them all. "What do you want," she snapped, as she pounded the keyboard with deliberate force.

"Eh, maybe I could come back at a different time, when you aren't so busy…"

"I'm always busy. If you people knew what you wanted and had all the paperwork ready, I wouldn't be so busy, or so grouchy. So, what do you want?"

"Well, you see, I need these parts, for the A.I. Project, as soon as possible."

Gregorio wasn't sure he liked talking to the back of this woman's head, but he was a little afraid she'd bite his head off if she turned around. She didn't say anything; he watched her fingers as they danced across the keyboard, and screen after screen appeared and disappeared on the monitor facing her.

"Did you hear me?," he asked tentatively.

"Got it, Jack. Just one minute. I hope you have all the proper signatures, that guy on the phone is on your team, and he didn't have anything signed."

"I believe everything is correct. But I am not Jack."

"Everybody's Jack, Jack." She turned to face him. Even with the scowl, Gregorio could see she was a very attractive woman. Her long blonde hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and large blue eyes, slightly magnified by the lenses, peered through rimless glasses. Her look softened considerably when she saw his face. "Unless of course, they aren't…"

"Aren't?" He smiled at her, watching her look change to one of confusion.

"Aren't Jack," she stammered. "Um, what is it that you wanted?"

"It's all on the form, I think everything is filled out correctly. Do you want to look them over to make sure?"

Her eyes never left his face as she turned each page. "They look terrific. Nothing wrong with that…them."

Gregorio smiled at her, and a tentative smile crossed her face, along with a strong blush. She turned away quickly, obviously embarrassed, shuffling the papers in her hands before fumbling them across her desk and the floor.

"Oh, shi…take mushrooms," she mumbled, as she stooped to pick them up.

"Here, let me help you," Gregorio bent to retrieve a paper, just as her head jerked up to look at him again. He staggered back from the force of her head against his chin, falling against a mail cart, and upending its contents.

"Great, look what you've done! Do you know how long it takes me to sort all of that? And everyone complains because the mail is late."

Gregorio apologized as he scrambled to his feet, and quickly righted the cart. He began picking up the envelopes and papers, repeatedly apologizing for the accident, as the mail clerk continued to gripe. Gregorio stood when the last of the mess was back on the cart, to find the clerk and the woman watching him.

"What do you think, Carmen, should I forgive him?," the mail clerk asked the woman.

"Um, yes, Pete, I think you should forgive him, it was an accident after all," she said softly, her eyes never leaving Gregorio's face. He looked back at her with a bemused smile. Pete looked from one of them to the other, rolled his eyes and pushed his cart away mumbling something.

Gregorio moved back toward the desk. "Thanks for defending me," he said, smiling.

"Oh…oh, it was all my fault. I'm so sorry, are you all right?"

"I'm fine, eh…Carmen, was it? You are Latina?"

"What? Oh, no," she laughed nervously, "I mean, yes, my name is Carmen, but I'm not Latino, uh, Latina, uh, whatever you said. My father liked opera. So I'm Carmen. My brothers and sisters weren't so lucky, with the names I mean."

"Eh?"

"Would you want to go through life as Figaro? Good way to get beat up on the playground if you know what I mean. Well, I really need to get back to work, and I'll get your parts ordered ASAP, um, oh I guess I don't know your name, do I?"

Gregorio smiled and said, "Just call me Jack."

Carmen fell back into her chair as she watched him walk away. Oh God, she thought, they shouldn't let men like that out on the street. What a fool I've made of myself. She closed her eyes, and his brown eyes and that smile were in front of her again, as if he'd never left. What was his name? She sat up and shuffled through the stack of papers again.

Ah, there it is, Gregorio Cortez. Well, Senor Cortez, I'll get those parts ordered right now. She tried to sort through his paperwork again, sorting it according to manufacturer. And true to his word, he'd gotten all the proper authorization. With a disappointed sigh, she realized she had no reason to call him. Don't be silly, Carmen, he'd never look twice at an order clerk. He's one of the big boys, or he wouldn't be working on that A.I. project. Just forget about him, right now.

She began typing up the order, carefully checking all the numbers as she entered them. The computer "knew" whether items had the proper authorization code, but a single wrong number could produce big headaches for her. However, she couldn't stop thinking about him, that deep voice seemed to be whispering in her ears as she typed.

Suddenly, another voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Ms. Hester. I believe I have gotten all the proper signatures this time."

Carmen turned to look at the source of the voice. A man with a heavy mustache peered over her shoulder. She snatched the stack of papers from him and replied, "I hope so, Minion; I don't have time to keep entering your orders for you."

"That's Mr. Minion to you. I expect those parts to be here in two days, do you understand?"

"Yes, Mister Minion. Of course, Mister Minion."

"I don't know why they won't allow us to order things for ourselves, what a waste of money to have you sitting here doing nothing most of the day," he said as he turned to walk away.

"Because, you ass… ass…" she couldn't think of a word to replace the epithet. "Because they don't trust you not to order things without approval, that's why." Darn it, Figgy, I can't even curse at work anymore because of you, she thought. Carmen turned her head mumbling to herself as she tossed the stack of order forms in her out box. Well, Minion, you'll be lucky to get them by the end of the month. On the other hand, if I get his order finished, he'll be off my back. Now where was I?

Oh yes, Mr. Cortez' order. Just a couple more entries and everything will be finished. Carmen glanced at her watch and realized it was almost 5 p.m. She'd have to hurry if she was going to finish up Minion's order too. OSS didn't approve of clerks putting in overtime; they didn't have clearance to be in the buildings without proper supervision. But if she hurried, she could be finished before they ran her out for the evening.

She typed in the remaining items from Mr. Cortez' list, then hit the send button. The monitor flashed a few times, and the computer quickly began processing the information. She sat back, watching the rapidly changing screens for a moment before picking up Minion's order again. She sighed as she flipped through the pages. Too bad these people can't get together on something, most of this stuff is from the same manufacturers as Mr. Cortez' order. Looks like it could be the same stuff as well.

Suddenly the computer beeped, and Carmen looked up to see an error message. Darn it, what did I miss? Oh this is easy, just missed the quantity ordered, now where is the sheet? She fumbled again through the papers, searching for the manufacturer. The number wasn't one she remembered, which meant it wasn't one of the usual vendors. I'll never finish Minion's order now, she thought.

Here it is, but… that's why I missed the quantity, Mr. Cortez missed it too. Her heart leaped at the thought, an excuse to at least hear that voice again. What was his phone number? She looked again at the order, but he hadn't filled it in. With a sigh of exasperation, she pulled out the phone directory, and flipped through the pages. Corter, Cortes, Corwin. Carmen looked at the order again, his last name was clearly spelled Cortez. But he wasn't listed in the book.

Why is nothing easy? She picked up the phone and dialed the OSS operator. " Hi this is Carmen Hester. I need the number for Gregorio Cortez, please."

"One moment, please."

The background music started, and Carmen drummed her fingers against her desktop. One moment became two, then three. What is the big deal, she thought, I just need the man's phone number. After five minutes passed, the operator came on again.

"You are not authorized to have Mr. Cortez' phone number, but I can connect you to his line. Please hold, I'm making the connection."

"Thanks." Not authorized? Wow, Gregorio Cortez was hot stuff. He must be one of the really big boys. Carmen gulped as the phone rang. She'd never worked with one before, a real, honest to God, spy. Figgy would be ecstatic when she told him. Except she couldn't tell him. She couldn't even tell her little brother what she did every day, no matter how mundane it was.

"Hello."

Carmen jumped and started to speak before she realized she'd gotten Mr. Cortez' voicemail. It was his voice all right, she'd never mistake that, but all she could do was leave a message as he'd gone for the day. "Mr. Cortez, it's Carmen, uh, Carmen Hester. Please give me a call first thing in the morning, I couldn't complete your order because there isn't a quantity listed for one item. Everything else has been ordered. Thanks, bye."

Crap, I didn't even leave my extension. Oh well, he can look it up, he doesn't need authorization to know my number. Carmen sighed, and put a hold on the last item of Mr. Cortez' order. She didn't have time to finish Minion's order now, but she decided to start it anyway, and let them kick her out. Once again, her fingers flew across the keyboard as she began typing up the order.

On the third page, Carmen stopped. Somehow it looked strangely familiar. Mr. Cortez' order sat in her out box, the page with the missing number on top. She picked it up. It was identical to Minion's order. Except his had all the quantities filled in. Every other item on the page was exactly the same. Written in a different hand, but word for word, the same order. They were even spaced the same on the page.

How strange, she thought, then looked at the authorizing signatures. They were the same, too…or were they? She looked from one to the other. If she hadn't compared them, she wouldn't have noticed the differences. Everyone's signature changes a little each time, she thought. But why were the pages identical?

"Carmen, you work too hard."

Carmen jumped at the words. She turned to see Sam, one of the night security guards.

"Oh, is it time to go already? I lost track of the time. Hold on, let me save this stuff, and shut down the computer."

"OK. Didn't mean to startle you."

"No problem, Sam, I was just concentrating on something. Let me lock up these order forms, and I'll be ready to go."

A few moments later, Carmen rode the elevator to the ground floor, signed out at the guard station, and left the building.

*** "Mom! Carmen's home!"

Carmen braced herself as she heard the loud tread of her little brother's feet racing across the hardwood floor. In a moment, his arms wrapped around her legs, squeezing her with all the energy an eight-year old boy could muster.

"Figs! Hey kiddo, how was school today?"

"OK, I guess."

"Just OK? You didn't learn anything cool?"

"Naaw, just the same old boring stuff. But I bet you did some cool stuff at work today, didn't you?"

"Nope, not one cool thing. Just sat at a computer and typed. Just like I do every other day."

"Yeah, sure."

He winked at her, then ran back to his room. Carmen knew he was already concocting some wild spy game in his head, to be carried out with the myriad of action figures strewn about. She shook her head, wishing she could tell him what she really did, but on the other hand, it was so boring, he'd quickly lose his fascination with her "exciting" career.

She wandered back to the kitchen, where enticing aromas filled the air. "Hi, Mom," she said, as she hugged the older woman and kissed her forehead. "What's for supper?"

"Oh it's nothing much, just some leftovers. How was your day, dear?"

"Fine. Nothing special."

Carmen wondered how many times she and her mother had repeated the same phrases over the years since she'd moved back home after Dad died. It was like she hardly knew her mother anymore. But she hadn't been the same since Dad's heart attack. Carmen often wondered whether her mother would still be alive if it hadn't been for Figgy.

She opened the refrigerator retrieved a wine bottle, and filled a glass before moving to the family room. The television blared from the corner, and she switched the channel to a local news broadcast, but she didn't hear the words. All she could think about was the strange order form from Minion. Or was it Mr. Cortez' form that was suspicious? Should she say anything? On the surface, there was nothing wrong with Minion's order, and she probably wouldn't have noticed anything if Mr. Cortez' order hadn't had an error on that particular page.

What a headache this is, she thought. I better tell someone, but whom? I guess the person in charge of their project. Her mother interrupted her thoughts with the call, "Supper's ready, Figaro, wash your hands!"

Carmen sighed and stood, and made her way to the table. The evening progressed as all of them did, they ate, she tried to hold a conversation with Figgy and her mother, and she helped the boy with his homework while her mother cleaned the kitchen. Then they all settled in the family room to watch some mindless television shows.

A few hours later, she tossed and turned in the bed, wondering what to do about the orders. What should I do? And why am I worrying so much about this? Because you don't want to find out that Mr. Cortez might be the one with a fake order. Finally, she dozed off, still with no firm plan in her head.

The phone was ringing when Carmen arrived at her desk the next morning. "Shit," she mumbled, then rolled her eyes. Oops, there goes another quarter to Figs, she thought as she picked up the receiver.

"Carmen Hester."

"Ah, Ms. Hester. I see you've finally arrived at work. I am returning your call from yesterday."

Carmen glanced at her watch. She wasn't late, so why the snide remark? "Yes, Mr. Cortez. There was a number missing from your order form, a quantity? I need to know how many to order."

"Oh? I am sorry, I was sure I checked all of those. Can you tell me which page? I have my copy of the order in front of me."

"Hold on, I have them locked in my desk. It'll take me a moment to find it again."

She fumbled with her keys, but soon had the order sheets in front of her. "Um, in the corner it's marked 22/24, is that what you need?"

"Si, eh, yes. OK, I've got it. But all the items have the quantity filled in."

Carmen looked at the sheet in front of her again. The quantity was still missing.

"Not on my copy. Maybe the carbon didn't work or something. It's the third line from the bottom."

"How strange. I have '4' clearly written on mine. Anyway, four is the correct number. Is there anything else?"

"No…" she hesitated. Should I tell him? "No, that's all," she answered. "I'll get this out right away. I hope it won't hold you up."

"It isn't a problem. I'm sorry for the confusion. I don't understand what happened, but no harm done. Thank you, Carmen, and I hope you have a wonderful day."

"Thank you, Mr. Cortez, and the same to you."

Carmen dropped the phone in the cradle, and stared at the page again. There was no four in that space. There wasn't even a dent in the paper. She pulled Minion's order again. Hmmm, that was different, Minion wanted 20 of whatever it was. What do I do now? She slipped Minion's order sheet through her fingers, then looked at it again. The paper felt different, rough somehow.

The light over her desk flickered as she switched it on, then shone brightly as she tilted the page under it. Indentations covered the paper, someone had scribbled something on another sheet of paper, but this one had been directly under it. She couldn't tell what it was, but it appeared to be the same thing written over and over. She searched over the surface until…there it was, a clear line! And it was what she thought. The authorization signature. Minion had practiced writing the name before he'd forged the signature.

Carmen grabbed the phone and dialed the operator. "Carmen Hester. Connect me to Gregorio Cortez, please. I know, I know I don't have authorization. But it's important!"

After several minutes of mindless music, Carmen heard a click, then a ring. And another, and another. "Damn it, answer the phone," she mumbled, and made a mental note to add another quarter to the swearing jar at home. One more ring and it'd be the voicemail.

"Hello?"

She waited, expecting the voicemail greeting.

"Hello, is there someone there?"

"Oh! Uh, Mr. Cortez, it's me, Carmen Hester again. I…oh…I don't know if I should tell this to you or not, but it concerns you and your order, and well, oh gosh, I didn't really think this through before I called you. It's probably nothing. I'm sorry I bothered you."

She crashed the receiver down again. What am I doing? I should call the supervisor, not Mr. Cortez. She took a couple of deep breaths. Great. I've just made a fool of myself again. OK, Carmen, think, girl. Gather your thoughts. Mr. Cortez only thinks you are an idiot, it's not the end of the world, and this might be important.

She dialed the operator again, and asked to be connected to George Furman's office. More music. After a moment, the operator came on and said, "I can connect you to Mr. Furman's office, but for future reference his extension is -4357. Hold just a minute."

A click, then the phone rang. Carmen listened to it ring as she stared at the number she'd scribbled. Wait, I've got authorization for Mr. Furman's number, but not for Mr. Cortez?

"Hang up the phone."

She turned to see Mr. Cortez standing before her, a stern look on his face. She lowered the phone just as a faint voice answered, "George Furman. Hello? Hello?"

The sound of an audible gulp filled Carmen's ears, and she realized it came from her.

"Mr. Cortez, I'm sorry I bothered you. I should have called someone else first, but I didn't know what to do. I don't know what to do…"

His face softened slightly. "Carmen. Calm down. Take a few deep breaths, and tell me what this is all about."

She obeyed him. "I don't know if this is important. But it's weird, you know? And well, I don't know what to do…"

He smiled slightly. "OK, I think we have established that you don't know what to do. Now, tell me what is causing you to be so confused. It's OK. Just relax, and tell me."

She closed her eyes and sighed. "It's about your order. Yours and Mr. Minion's. It's probably nothing, but it just seemed strange to me."

"My order, and Minion's? What are you talking about?"

Carmen pulled the two order sheets and handed them to him. "That's yours, on top. The page with the missing number, third line from the bottom. And this is Minion's."

He looked at the two sheets, back and forth between them, without speaking. She watched his face, waiting for him to say something. But apart from his raised eyebrows and a "hmmm," he didn't comment.

"You see? I mean, I thought it was strange that they were so similar. And then I wasn't sure about the signatures. I noticed that last night, before I left. Then this morning, I looked at them again. Mr. Minion's. Look at the indentations in it. I think he tried to forge…"

"Carmen, thank you for telling me about this. Tell me, have you placed Minion's order?"

She shook her head slowly.

"Good. Don't place it. But if he asks you, tell him the order has been placed. Do you understand?"

"But…"

"I cannot explain it to you. You will have to trust me. Just tell him the order was placed as he asked, and stay out of his way. I can only assure you, you've done the right thing. OK?"

She just looked into his warm brown eyes a moment, then finally nodded.

He smiled and said, "Good girl. Now, just go about your business, and pretend nothing happened. Don't worry about anything. Everything will work out for the best. Trust me."

She gave him a faint smile, and nodded again. He smiled back, and with a nod of his head, picked up the order forms, both his and Minion's, and walked back toward the high security entrance at the west end of the building.

Carmen looked at her shaking hands. Oh boy, I've stuck my foot in it this time. I hope I didn't screw up. A few seconds later, her phone rang, and within five minutes, she was too busy to worry about whatever it was she wasn't supposed to worry about.

The day passed with no further excitement. In a way, it was something of a letdown, but she kept telling herself, she didn't want to know what was really going on. Nothing more was said about it, at least to her, before she went home for the evening.

***

Several days passed, and Carmen forgot about the incident, except for the encounter with the devastatingly handsome Mr. Cortez. She couldn't help but think about him, his eyes, his thick almost-black hair, how those lovely gray trousers fit so perfectly. But she slowly forgot about the incident with Minion's order. Strangely, she hadn't gotten a single phone call or visit from him. All seemed to be back to the same old daily grind. Or so she thought.

Late one afternoon, about a week after her last encounter with Mr. Cortez, she got a phone call from her mother.

"Figaro isn't home from school yet. I'm worried, Carmen. He never does this."

"Now, Mom, he's a little boy, he's probably gotten sidetracked with a friend and forgot what time it is. Did you call the school?"

"Yes. And his friend Mike. The school didn't know anything, and Mike said he didn't get on the bus this afternoon."

"I'm sure there's a logical explanation. Look, I'll see if I can get off a little early and come home, OK?"

"Please do, Carmen, I'm so worried, this just isn't like him, not at all."

"I know, Mom. But I'm sure he's fine."

She hung up, then dialed her supervisor and quickly explained the situation. He granted her request, and she hung up the phone. As she locked her desk, and turned off her computer, the phone rang again.

Now what, she thought, as she reached out to pick it up. "Carmen Hester."

"Ah. Ms. Hester. I'm glad I caught you at your desk. You remember me, don't you?"

"Who is this?"

"It's Alexander Minion. Did you place my order as I asked?"

"Oh, um, yes, Mr. Minion. Last week sometime. Right after you gave me the paperwork."

"It doesn't really matter that you are lying, Ms. Hester. You cost me my job. And now you are going to pay for that."

"I did…what? I don't know what you're talking about. Look, I've got to go…"

"I don't think you need to go anywhere, Ms. Hester. I think you need to listen to what I have to say. I have someone here, someone you know."

"Look, Minion, if you got fired, that's hardly my fault. I'm just, oh, one step lower than a peon at this place. I really need to go."

"Carmen?"

"Oh my God, Figgy? What are you…"

Carmen, he told me you were in trouble, and I had to come with him. I'm sorry."

"Oh, Figs, it's not your fault, honey. OK now Figgy, you do everything Mr. Minion tells you to do, and he'll let you come home soon. Don't worry, sweetie, I'm OK, and he'll be nice to you as long as you do what he says. Do you hear me, Figs?"

"OK, Carmen…"

"A wise choice, Ms. Hester, or may I call you Carmen? Telling him to cooperate will make things easier for me. Now if you will just do the same, little Figgy will be home with you again very soon."

"What do you want, Minion? You've got to know I can't pay a ransom. He's just a little boy, for God's sake, let him go."

"I don't want to hurt the little tyke. I just need for you to do something for me."

"What? What could I possibly do for you?"

"You are aware of the A.I. Project? Of course you are, you are such close friends with Agent Cortez. I need something from that project. And you are going to get it for me."

"Are you nuts? I don't have access to anything on that project! Or any other project either. I'm just a clerk here, you know."

"If you want to see your brother alive, then you'll do what I tell you."

"Minion you, you bastard! He's just a baby!"

"Then I suggest you do what I tell you, and you'll have your baby home that much sooner."

"What do you want?"

"I want you to enter the high security area and retrieve something for me."

"Oh, right. Shall I knock on the door and ask permission to enter? I'm never going to get in there!"

"Would you just listen? I'll get you in there. I'll tell you exactly where to go. The catch is, you have to do it tonight."

"What? Look, this call is being monitored. They'll nail me before I get to the door, you idiot."

"I, Ms. Hester, am not an idiot. I have taken all the precautions necessary. No one will know what you are trying to do. And does it matter? You have no choice if you want to see your brother again."

Carmen closed her eyes, trying to squeeze back tears. Poor Figs. Minion was right, she had no choice. "OK. What do you want me to do?"

"Good, I knew you were a bright girl. Check your mail, there is an internal mail envelope there. All the information you need is in the envelope. Where to find what I want. And where to deliver it."

"Minion, this is never going to work!"

"Yes, it will. Just trust me. As I said, you have no choice. Now, read that packet carefully. If you follow my instructions, everything will go smoothly, and little brother will be home by morning. Good-bye, Ms. Hester, and good luck…"

"Wait!" The dial tone answered her. "Damn it. What if I have a question?" She closed her eyes, fighting back the tears. I owe Figs another quarter, she thought. If I ever see him again. How am I ever going to get in there? I don't even know what I'm supposed to get. She thought about Mr. Cortez. Maybe he could help. Maybe I better read this packet first, and see what I'm supposed to do.

Carmen looked around guiltily as she opened the thick envelope. Inside were maps and several pages of instructions, including a drawing of the item Minion wanted. She read the instructions. Codes and passwords, and she needed a key card…there it was, in the bottom of the envelope. There is no way this was going to work, but what else could she do? One thing was certain, Mr. Cortez couldn't help her. She had to steal this thing, this "brain," from him. She read the instructions again.

OK, first she had to get into the facility. It had to be after hours; if anyone saw her, that'd be the end of it. But it appeared Minion thought of everything. With a feeling of despair, she left her desk and headed for the elevator. She signed out as usual, then slipped into the stairwell by the entryway. Inside was the first key card entry lock.

I can get inside and hide in the ladies room until everyone's left for the day, she thought. Her hands shook as she slid the card through the reader. A disembodied voice made her jump when it requested the day's code. She punched in the numbers and waited.

"I'm sorry, that is not the correct code. Please insert your card, and enter the correct code."

Oh, great, this is just great. I'm never going to even get into the building, much less the high security area. She swiped the card again, then slowly keyed in the number on the keypad. After a few seconds, an audible click signaled that the door was unlocked. Slowly, she opened the door, and looked around. No sign of anyone.

Her shoes sounded like explosions as she crept up the stairs. After three flights, she was panting, but not from the exertion as much as terror. Another locked entryway slowed her for a moment, but she slipped in, still not seeing anyone. Almost 5 o'clock, she noted as she glanced at her watch. I've got to hurry. Only one more door and I'm in.

She scurried down the corridor, amazed that no one seemed to be around. They're all waiting for me on the other side of this door, she thought. I'll be arrested, and I'll never see Mom or Figgy again. Stop it, girl, you've got to stay cool, she told herself. Don't think about anything but getting that brain.

OK, the last door. Carmen swiped the card, and punched in the code, then closed her eyes, expecting sirens to sound, and armed guards to appear from all sides. Instead, she only heard the click as the door unlocked. Slowly, she pushed it open and looked around. No one was in sight. Isn't there anyone working in this building today? She couldn't believe she could be so lucky.

Minion's map detailed every office and every laboratory on the floor, as well as the restrooms. Carmen walked as quickly as she could to the nearest one. With an out of order sign (conveniently provided by Minion) slapped on the door of one stall, she hid in it and waited. She sat on the toilet seat, drew her feet up and stared at the slowly moving second hand on her watch.

As 5 o'clock approached, traffic in the restroom increased. Carmen held her breath each time she heard the squeak of the door. She heard several conversations she was sure she shouldn't have heard, and as the minutes ticked by, she felt more and more like screaming until they carted her off in a straight jacket.

After an eternity, it seemed as if no one else would be entering the restroom. She looked at her watch. Eternity lasts for forty minutes, she noted to herself. OK, it was time to make her move. The lab which held the brain would be locked at 6 o'clock, and she had to sneak in there before then. She examined the map again, trying to find the quickest way to the lab.

The squeak of the restroom door made her cringe as she peered into the hall. Good, no one in sight in either direction. I can do this. It's going to be easy, and everything's going to be just fine. Keep telling yourself that, Carmen, you've got to get that brain. Everything's going to be just fine.

She rounded the corner and saw the door to the lab. High security signs were posted everywhere. How many times do you have to say 'high security,' she thought as she stared at the small window in the door. The light's still on…I hope that doesn't mean someone's in there.

As stealthily as she could, she crept toward the door. She stood on her tiptoes to peer in the window, and realized to her horror, the room was occupied. Not just occupied, there were six or seven people in there! Minion, you fool, she thought, I told you this would never work.

She looked in the window again. A large work table in the center of the room was surrounded by several men in white coats. She watched as each one lifted a hammer and struck the equipment in front of them. What are they doing, she wondered. She forgot about the danger, and watched their faces as they repeatedly bashed everything on the table.

Except for one man. The one at the far end of the table. He took a few tentative swings, but he didn't hit the little object in front of him. Carmen glanced at his face, and realized it was Mr. Cortez. As she stared at him, she realized the object in front of him was the little brain Minion wanted her to steal!

No! No, no, no, she thought. This can't be happening. Please don't break it. Her eyes were glued to the hammer in his hand. As she watched him, she could see he didn't want to hit the brain. That's right, Mr. Cortez, you've worked hard on it, don't break it. Not yet. Suddenly, she took a step back, not sure if she'd just seen what she thought she'd seen. He'd snatched the little brain and dropped it in his coat pocket!

A second later, he smashed something on the table, sending shards everywhere. Carmen's heart leaped. It wasn't the little brain, she was sure of it. He'd put that in his lab coat. Maybe, I can still get it. She looked around, then backed away from the door, and rounded a corner. She could still see the lab door, but hopefully, no one would notice her. Now all she had to do was wait for Mr. Cortez to leave the lab and…what? Mug him?

His office. He'd go to his office before he went home for the day. And maybe he'd have the brain with him. It's my only chance, she thought. Minion's map, the offices are labeled on it. She located it, and made her way through the maze of corridors until she found it.

The door was closed, but not locked. She opened the door and looked around, but there wasn't a single place to hide. Now what, she thought, as she glanced around. Across the hall, a little further down, a restroom. Perfect. I can stay in there and watch his door. She slipped in, and stood by the door.

And not a moment too soon. With the door of the restroom just cracked, she saw him coming from the lab. He still wore his lab coat, but he unbuttoned it as he walked. By the time he got to his office, the coat was off. She could see him hang it on a hook behind the door. But then she couldn't see him at all. Oh great, I'll never see where he hides it!

He wasn't in the office long enough to sit down. She was sure he could hear her heart pound as he walked toward her. He rubbed his face as he walked, then past her. Carmen heard the sound of a door opening and closing. OK, he must be in the restroom. Maybe, just maybe he left it in the coat pocket. She dashed from her hiding place, and ran down the hall as quietly as she could. Inside the office, she found the coat hanging by the door and fumbled to find the pocket.

Nothing. She looked down the hall again, good, still no sign of Mr. Cortez. She turned the coat around until she found the second pocket. There was something in there! She reached in and pulled out a miniature brain. She stared at it for a second, then gasped in terror when a hand appeared out of nowhere, tightly gripping her wrist.

She screamed and dropped the brain into Mr. Cortez' other hand, for of course, it was Mr. Cortez. She couldn't stop screaming, the tension and terror she felt were all released, even as he tried to cover her mouth with his hand. He still gripped her wrist, and she kept screaming. Finally, with a look of desperation, he covered her open mouth with his.

The scream stopped as soon as his lips touched hers. He could feel her go limp against him, and he pressed her against the door with his body, to keep her from falling. He was afraid to move his mouth for fear the scream would come back. But she seemed to have fainted.

"Mr. Cortez, is everything all right? I heard a scream."

Gregorio turned to see a security guard staring at him and Carmen. His lips left hers, and Carmen opened her eyes. She didn't really see anything, just felt his body pressing against her, and the warm moisture he'd left on her lips.

"Doesn't everything look all right to you? No one is screaming around here."

He turned back to Carmen, and with one hand behind her head, pulled her face to his once again. Her eyes closed as his lips kissed her this time, not just covering her mouth, but tasting her and exploring her. She could just hear the words of the security guard as he left.

"Must be nice to be a spy and get all the perks."

His lips finally let her go, but he still pressed her body against the door.

"Carmen? Open your eyes. Can you stand?"

She nodded, and answered, "mmm-hmmm."

"OK, then get in here and tell me what you think you are doing."

She looked at his face, hearing the anger in his voice. He guided her to a chair, then turned and closed the office door.

"Now. What is this all about?"

"Oh, Mr. Cortez. I…I didn't know what to do. He told me I'd never see Figgy again if I didn't take it, and if I told anyone, I'd never see him again, and I had to do it today and if he doesn't get it by midnight, I won't see Figgy again and now you are angry with me and…"

"Wait, wait, wait. Slow down. Take a deep breath and start over. Who is he? And who is Figgy?"

"Mr. Minion. He's my brother. No, wait, I mean Mr. Minion has Figgy."

"And Figgy is?"

"He's my little brother. Figaro. He's only eight. And Minion told me I'd never…"

"See him again. Yes, I think I got that part. OK, so let me get this straight. Minion has kidnapped your little brother, and he ordered you to steal my brain in order to get him back? Well, not my brain, but this one."

He held the little object in front of Carmen, and she nodded. Her lips trembled as she sniffed back tears. "He had it all planned, he had all the codes for the doors and everything. You don't believe me, do you?"

"Oh, now, don't cry. I can deal with anything but tears. No, strangely enough, I do believe you. But you risked so much."

"He's my little brother. I had to do it. I had to try. But now, oh please, Mr. Cortez, you've got to help me. He's just a little boy."

"Gregorio. I think after kissing a woman, I should be on a first name basis with her."

He winked at her, and pushed her chin up so that he could see her eyes. "Now when do you have to make the drop?"

"What?"

"When do you make the exchange, the boy for the brain."

"Oh, um, it's here. All of it's here," she said as she retrieved a wrinkled mass of papers from her pocket, and handed them to him. He moved to the other side of his desk and began reading. After a moment, he looked up.

"Carmen, how did you know that the brain was in my coat pocket?"

"I saw you put it there. From the window."

She couldn't read Gregorio's face. Was he trying to decide whether to help her or not? She sniffed again, and he reached across the table with a box of tissues.

"I guess I have no choice but to help you. But if I'm going to get a replica made by midnight, you will have to help."

"A replica? But won't he test it to make sure it works?"

"I'm sure he will. And it will work. Up to a point. Then it won't work, ever again. We better get moving."

He was on his feet and across the room before Carmen could turn her head. He grabbed his lab coat as he opened the door. "Well, what are you waiting for?"

She got up and followed him back to the lab. In a minute, he had a schematic drawing out before her, explaining how to make connections on the tiny board. "Think you can do that?" he asked as he finished.

She nodded, and he patted her on the shoulder. "Good, then, get to work. In the meantime, I'll work on getting our replica brain to self-destruct at just the right time."

Carmen worked, hunched over the lighted magnifying glass, until her shoulders hurt and her head ached. She couldn't stop and rest, and she couldn't look at Gregorio, he was just too distracting. If she thought about the feel of his lips on hers, she'd never get finished!

After a couple of hours, he leaned over her shoulder and asked, "How's it going?"

"Shi…take mushrooms."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. You said that once before. You have a thing for Asian fungi?"

"No," she laughed, "you see, my little brother got in trouble for using bad words at school. And I guess I am the reason he knew those words. So every time I swear, I have to put a quarter in the swearing jar. But if I can change the swear word to something else, then it doesn't count. I'm not very good at it, I'm afraid. I think I'm funding his college education."

She stretched a bit as he chuckled in her ear. She felt his chest touch her back, like a shockwave. "Oh," she said, "you asked me a question. I think it's going OK, I sure hope I'm doing this right."

"Just remember, it only has to work for a day or so. It's tough on the shoulders and neck, isn't it. Relax for a minute, and it'll make the job easier."

His fingers touched the skin of her neck, rubbing her shoulders with his strong hands. Carmen couldn't breathe. Couldn't he tell what he was doing to her? What was he doing to her? Whatever it was, it wasn't relaxing. On the other hand, she didn't want him to stop either. What was it I'm supposed to be doing, she thought, as hands worked out the kinks in her neck. Figgy…

"OK, Mr. uh, Gregorio. I've got to finish this! And then you have to put it together. We've only got a few more hours."

"Don't worry. I'll have it together in plenty of time. How much more do you have?"

She showed him the diagram, pointing out what she'd completed. He nodded, and mumbled something about the time, then went back to work on his part of the project. Carmen tried not to feel the touch of his fingers on her neck; she tried to block out the sound of his voice. Think about poor Figgy, she thought, don't think about Gregorio.

Another hour passed. "Gregorio? I think I've got it finished. I sure hope I didn't screw things up."

"I'm sure it'll be fine. And your timing is perfect, because I'm ready to put it together. And it'll be easier to program than the first one, I can copy just what I need from the prototype. Let's do it."

At 11 o'clock, Carmen and Gregorio left the building, she first, carrying the replicate brain. He would follow her to the drop site, but he lingered behind to see if anyone was following her. Carmen got in her car and drove away from town, trying to remember where she was supposed to turn. There it was, a narrow dirt track, leading to who knew where. After the turn, she looked in her rear view mirror, hoping to see the reassuring lights from Gregorio's car behind her. All she saw was blackness and the red haze of the dust kicked up behind her as it glowed in her tail lights.

Don't be silly, Carmen. If he follows too closely, it'll make Minion suspicious, then who knows what he'll do? He said he'd be there, and I've got to trust him. After all, he is a spy. He knows how to do this stuff. She swallowed hard and peered into the darkness in front of her. Minion's note read, drive until you can't drive any further. Then you'll know you are there.

The dirt track narrowed almost to the point of nonexistence, but she could still see two ruts where another car had been. She slowly crept forward, hoping she wouldn't end up in a pond or a river. The track curved sharply to the left, and as she rounded the corner, the lights of another car blocking the road suddenly blinded her. She stopped, and took several deep breaths before getting out.

"Well, Ms. Hester, I see you showed up. Where's the brain?"

"I've got it, Minion. Where's my brother?"

"He's at the house, just one hundred yards behind me. Give me the brain, and once I've tested it, I'll send the boy to you."

"No way, Minion. I want to know he's OK, before I give you anything."

"That's Mr. Minion. I have no intentions of letting your brother out of the house until I've tested the brain you've brought me."

"Carmen," a voice whispered behind her. "Don't look. It's me, Gregorio. Give Minion the brain. I've been up to the house, and your brother is fine. He's watching TV with a bunch of goons. Just give him the brain, and let's get out of here."

"OK," she whispered, then she called, "All right, Minion, come get the brain. Let's get this over with."

She watched him approach, hating the silly smile on his smug face. She wanted to throw the brain at him, or toss it into the forest, and tell him to find it. But he still had Figgy. When he was about three feet from her, he extended his hand. Carmen reached forward and dropped the brain into his palm. He looked at it for a moment, then said, "As soon as I test it, I'll send the boy to you, that is, if it works properly."

"It'll work. Just hurry up."

He laughed, then turned and almost ran up the trail. Carmen leaned against the side of her car, exhausted. Then she heard a rustle beside her. Gregorio was still there.

"Carmen. Go back up the trail to my car. It's pulled off to the side where the track widens. I'm going to the house to make sure Minion releases your brother. I'll bring him to you."

"But…"

"Don't worry, I'll make sure he's OK. Go."

She didn't want to obey him, she wanted to go to the house too. But she knew he was right. She ran back down the trail, as if running would free her brother more quickly. Stumbling, and out of breath, she reached Gregorio's car, and sat on the ground next to it. It'll be another eternity, she thought as she looked at the luminous dial of her watch. How many is that today?

A sound brought her to her senses, and she realized she'd dozed off. "Gregorio? Did you find him?" she called softly. She scrambled to her feet, peering into the darkness.

Seconds later, a small form emerged from the forest and hurtled toward her. Little arms wrapped around her knees, and she bent over to hug and kiss her little brother.

"Ooh, gross," were his first words.

"Thanks a lot, you little stinker. I'm so glad to see you! He didn't hurt you did he?"

"No, we played games and watched TV, and they took me to McDonald's and…"

"Sounds like you've had an exciting day. Where's Gregorio?"

"Who? Oh, you mean, Mr. Cortez. He's coming. He said he wanted to slow their departure from the house a little bit."

"I'm right here," a voice whispered before she saw the shape appear by her side.

"Gregorio, thank you so much!"

Carmen stepped to him and put her arms around his neck, then kissed him on the lips. His arms wrapped around her, and pulled her close as he kissed her again.

"That's so gross! How can you even do that? Is Mr. Cortez your boyfriend?"

"What? Oh, no, Figgy, he's just a friend from work," she said, as she tugged at her blouse and smoothed her hair. She could see the glint of Gregorio's smile in the faint light from the moon.

"You have to do that at work? On the mouth? Yuck, I'm not ever getting a job!"

Gregorio laughed aloud and said, "One day, you'll find that it isn't so bad to get kissed on the mouth. Especially by lovely women. You'll see, one day you'll think there is nothing wrong with a kiss at all."

"Let's get out of here, I'm really tired."

"Your sister's right, and it's way past your bedtime, isn't it?"

"Aw, do we have to go?"

"Yes we do, get in the car Figgy, Mom's going to be worried sick about us both."

"All right. Hey, I bet you're a spy, aren't you, Mr. Cortez."

"A spy? Me? Why would you think that?"

"Because you drive a fancy car. Carmen says all the spies drive fancy cars."

"Figgy, shut up. Mr. Cortez isn't a spy. He just looks like one."

Gregorio laughed, and started the car. They bumped along the track, and Carmen wondered about her brother's sudden silence. She looked in the back seat, only to find him sound asleep, his head propped up against the window. Not even the bad road could keep him awake.

"Poor kid, he's exhausted," Gregorio said.

"Yeah," she replied, "he's not the only one. What's going to happen to Minion?"

"Happen to him? Nothing. Except he'll get some exercise leaving that house. I flattened all of their tires."

"But he kidnapped my brother!"

"And you broke into a secret facility to steal something that was supposedly destroyed. We are all in deep trouble on this one. I recommend forgetting this ever happened."

"OK. I guess you're right. You won't tell anyone at work what I did?"

"As long as you don't tell anyone there what I didn't do."

"It's a deal."

***

"So you're not really our Aunt either, just like Felix isn't our Uncle."

That's right, Carmen. But I guess it'll work out better if you kids still call me your aunt. Too confusing with two of us in the house isn't it?" The older woman ruffled the girl's hair.

"So you kissed our Dad, Aunt Carmen?"

"Yep, Juni, right on the mouth. More than once."

"Gross."

"You'll change your mind, Juni, just like your Dad told my brother. Figgy sure did!"

"Dad, does Mom know about you and Aunt Carmen?"

"Sure she does, Carmen. That's one thing we never kept secret."

"So did you want to marry Dad, Aunt Carmen?"

"Well, Juni and Carmen, I thought I did at one point. But your Dad and I, we realized we were just good friends. And then your Mom came along, and there was no doubt in anybody's mind who would marry your Dad. They were just meant to be together."