Part 3

It didn't take long for the Chief and Margaret to realize that Cherie had gone "rogue." They immediately called a briefing for key personnel and her friends.

"Listen up people. Cherie has gone rogue." There were a few gasps around the room, but to some it was no surprise at all. They figured something like this was bound to happen.

"I know she's been through a tragedy, but this is simply unacceptable. We cannot have our people take off on a whim and try to exact their own justice. We need to find her and we need to find her now. She has absconded with agency property and we must have it back. If any of you have any information on where she is, I want it now. If she contacts any of you, I want to know immediately. Is that understood?" Everyone nodded their agreement, but no one spoke.

"Fine. We cannot make this our top priority, but it is critical. We need her back today. So anyone who is not mission critical is on this. Karen is in charge. Report anything you find to her. Dismissed."

As the briefing broke up, small groups began to gather. Sylvania turned to Brenda and Allison. "What are we gonna do? We can't drag her in like a common criminal. She just lost Mitch. I know she shouldn't have taken off, but she probably just needs some time to deal with it."

Riva overheard them and motioned them out into the hallway. "Actually, guys, there's more to it. Seems she's taken all of the files pertaining to their last mission ... personnel files, intel, profile, everything. She's also taken some equipment from Wallace. She's after somebody, we just don't know who. We took out most of Second Chance, so we don't think it's one of them. We need to get our heads together and see if what we can come up with. Of course, without the files, it's not gonna be easy."

Carla, Evelyn and Nancy were having a similar discussion with Karen. "So ladies, anything you can come up with we need like yesterday. And Nancy, if Ray can shed any light on this, let me know. I know he and Mitch were close." Nancy nodded and then everyone headed back to work to figure out what Cherie was up to.

Cherie had cleared out of the house she and Mitch had lived in so briefly. She packed everything up and sent it back to her apartment at CLHQ. She had taken only the things she needed ... her laptop, the files, the equipment from Wallace, mission clothes, and a picture of Mitch. She headed for a secluded location in the mountains. It was a scenic locale, situated by a small lake. She and Mitch had stayed there once. He had been so good at finding these secluded hideaways. And they were always in beautiful locations. But, she wasn't here to admire the scenery. She needed to get down to work.

She set up her computer to monitor the surrounding area and then began studying the files. She knew was wasn't after someone directly associated with Second Chance. It had finally hit her on the way up here, the thing that had been nagging her for the past 24 hours. There was no way the shooter could have gotten onto that balcony unless he had inside help. Someone on the team had sold them out. One of his own team had gotten Mitch killed!

That thought temporarily stopped her in her tracks. She had hand-picked the team, so was it her fault? She had actually chosen the person that had betrayed them. She had set it all in motion. The tears started to fall down her cheeks again and she picked up the closest thing to her, an empty water glass, and threw it against the wall. How could she have done it? How could she have been so stupid? She had taken great care in picking the team. What had she missed? What had they both missed?

Realizing that sitting here bawling like a baby was getting her nowhere, she got herself under control and went back to work. She knew that eventually she would have to grieve, but not yet. Not until Mitch's killer was uncovered. She pulled out the personnel files and started poring over them, word for word. She knew these people. How could one of them do this? It just wasn't possible. They weren't only her friends, they had been Mitch's too. At least they claimed to be.

She spent hours pouring over the files, yet she found nothing. Nothing that she didn't already know. Not a single thing jumped out from the files about any of them that would make her think they had turned. No one was in financial trouble. No one had kids that could be taken and no one on the team was married. There were no reports of a member of anyone's family being taken or killed. Nothing.

Knowing she needed to clear her mind for a while, Cherie got up and went outside to take a walk. She reminisced about the time she and Mitch had spent here together. The walks they had taken, skipping stones on the lake, the wildlife they had watched, flowers they had picked, picnics they had by the lake. Just the fact that they were together was enough for them. They didn't need fancy hotels or lodges. They didn't need big cities with all kinds of nightlife and entertainment. They were satisfied with the simple things and just being together.

Realizing that this trip down memory lane would derail her from her purpose, Cherie banished those thoughts to the back of her mind for later and headed back inside to read the files again. She had gone through the personnel files three times and come up blank. She grabbed the profile and went over it a few times. She read and re-read all the intel. She grabbed the profile one last time and that's when it finally caught her attention. Mitch had made a note at the very end of the profile, insignificant to him at the time, but it could be the thing she was looking for. There had been a last minute change on the team. Taylor had gotten ill and was replaced by Jamison.

Cherie quickly checked the personnel files for Jamison's, but it wasn't there. She checked again just to make sure, but she didn't find it. Apparently there hadn't been a thorough check before the team was sent out. Mitch and Cherie were already in California so someone else had made the decision. She needed information on Jamison. She placed a scrambler on her cell phone and dialed headquarters.

"Sidney."

"Sid, its Cherie."

"Where are you? The Chief is going crazy. He wants you back here now. He's got everyone looking for you."

"Yeah, I figured as much. Listen to me. I need you to get some information for me right now."

"I can't do that. He'll have my head."

"Yes you can. As soon as you give me what I need, I'll finish my business and come in. But I need you to be quiet and not say a word to anyone. Understood?"

"Yeah, yeah, I understand. I wish just once somebody would simply ask without threatening."

Cherie explained to him what she needed and it didn't take long at all for Sidney to find what she was looking for. She thanked him, and then asked him to patch her through to the Chief.

Sidney hit the intercom. "Sir, it's Cherie. She would like to speak with you."

Chief Wolfe exchanged looks with Margaret. "Put her through."

"Cherie, where are you?"

"I'm on my way in. There's something I need you to do."

Taken aback, by the fact that he was being given orders by a subordinate, he paused momentarily. "Really. And just why should I do any favors for you? You've gone rogue, stolen agency property, and left us shorthanded on critical missions. And now I should do a favor for you?"

She sighed. She knew he was hardheaded but really. "Fine, I'll take care of it myself when I get there. And just so you know all of your equipment is being returned, intact, as well as your files. Is Margaret there with you?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact she is."

"Tell her I want to speak with her after I've completed my business. Oh and by the way, you've got a mole at headquarters." With that she hung up the phone.

Raising his eyebrows, the Chief turned to his second-in-command. "She's coming in. She says that once she's completed her business, she would like to speak with you. And, she says we have a mole."

"Really?" Margaret answered. "This should be interesting."

Cherie made her way into headquarters without incident. Actually, the Chief had informed Security to let her in and not detain her. She was to have free access to whatever she needed. She went straight to Sidney and handed him a PDA. "I want a briefing called immediately with these people."

Sidney took the PDA and checked it. "I think they're all here, but let me make sure." He scanned the list of people currently on missions. "Yeah, they're all free. What's this about?"

"You'll find out. You're on the list. Oh, and tell the Chief and Margaret to be there too."

Twenty minutes later, all the requested parties were in the briefing room, including Chief Wolfe and Margaret, who were whispering between themselves. After letting them sit for a few minutes, Cherie walked into the room and to the head of the table. Everyone except for Sidney, Margaret and the Chief were surprised.

"I understand that you've all been looking for me. Well, I'm here so you can stop. I have a little business with you and then you are free to go back to whatever you were doing."

Wallace spoke up. "Where have you been?"

Cherie looked at him but didn't answer. "Can anyone explain the significance of the group that I've gathered here?" she asked.

She waited a few moments while everyone looked at one another and then Davidson spoke up. "This is the team that was on Mitch's last mission, actually everyone involved." All eyes turned toward Cherie and she nodded.

Margaret spoke. "So Cherie, why are we here?"

Cherie turned to Margaret and then looked at each person in the room, one by one. No one made eye contact with her except for Jamison, who stared right at her until she finally looked away. Margaret watched the exchange with interest.

"I've asked everyone here because someone in this room killed Mitch," she finally replied.

There were audible gasps throughout the room. The Chief exchanged a quick glance with Margaret and then spoke up.

"How can that be, Cherie? We captured the shooter. He was terminated. We have proof that his bullet shot Mitch."

Cherie nodded her head. "You're right. But the shooter would have never gotten into that building if someone in this room hadn't been working with him."

The others in the room looked at one another. Cherie knew they were wondering if she had lost her mind.

"As you all know, Mitch went over the profile with us until it was branded in our minds. We checked and re-checked the hall until we were certain there was nothing there. We had security posted at each entrance and exit checking everyone. So how did he get in, and with a gun no less, unless someone let him in?"

There was no response. "It's quite simple," she finally continued, "he didn't. It took me a while to figure it out, but it finally hit me. There had to be someone on the inside."

Davidson spoke up again. "Come on, Cherie. I know you're upset, but you can't be serious. You really think one of us set this up? One of us is responsible for Mitch's death?"

Cherie nodded. "Yes, Davidson, I do. It was hard for me to believe at first too. But nothing else made any sense. Then, once I realized it was someone on the inside, I felt that it was my fault because I picked this team. How could I have picked someone that would do this? I went over the files, looking for anything that would set someone apart, make me understand why they would turn. But there was nothing. I went over and over the intel files, and the profile. And finally I saw it. There was a last minute change in personnel. Taylor suddenly became ill and Jamison replaced him. There were no files on Jamison." Everyone's eyes swung in Jamison's direction, who was beginning to look slightly nervous.

"I called Sidney and asked him to check Jamison's file. He's always been a troublemaker, and he's been jealous of Mitch's success for a long time. He feels he's been passed over for promotion again and again, while Mitch was on the fast track to the top. About a year ago, he was on one of our early missions against Second Chance. The mission went bad and he disappeared for a few hours. He simply showed up later, claiming he had no memory of what happened. Since that time, Margaret has had a shadow team on him. He's been disappearing at regular intervals -- always for a day at a time. And each time he's met with Frank Palmer, First Lieutenant for Second Chance. He was turned last year and has been working with them ever since, giving them any information he could.. Luckily, it wasn't much because he wasn't in an important enough position to get much intel."

At that point Cherie pulled a gun and pointed it at Jamison. "So, do you have anything to say for yourself?"

All the men in the room jumped up but the Chief waved them back for a moment.

Jamison spoke. "Yeah, I got something to say. I say you've lost more than just your boyfriend, lady, you've lost your mind!"

Cherie cocked the gun and raised it to his head. "You know, Jamison, you may just be right. Now, if you would be so kind as to move away from everyone else. I wouldn't want them to get hit when I shoot you."

Jamison laughed. "Right. I don't think so." Turning to his superiors, he asked, "Are you just gonna sit here and listen to this crazy woman's rantings?"

The Chief took charge. "You're right, Jamison. Davidson, Mootz, take Jamison to the White Room. Margaret will be there in a while."

"Hey, what's going on? What are you doing? You can't believe that crazy woman!" Jamison was screaming.

Once they were out of the room, Cherie felt all the strength leave her body. She dropped the arm with the gun and fell down into the nearest chair. Karen was at her side in a flash. "Are you okay? Do you need something?"

Cherie shook her head. "No, I'm okay. I've been running on adrenaline for so long that I've finally reached my limit. I just need some rest."

The Chief broke in. "Cherie, I want to thank you for what you've done. You've uncovered a mole and we owe you for it. Now, I believe the rest of you have work to do. If you need anything, Cherie, please ask."

Part 4

As the room emptied, Margaret sat down across from Cherie. "I understand that you wanted to speak with me. How are you doing, really?"

Cherie looked up and Margaret saw the tears in her eyes. "I've been so focused on making someone pay, that I haven't allowed myself to grieve. I've pushed it back, repressed it. I think I'm probably about to crash big time."

Margaret nodded. "You're right. Grief is something we need to deal with, each of us in our own way. I think that maybe your revenge was a part of the grieving process. You just didn't realize it."

Cherie nodded. "Perhaps. Anyway, I need some time. I have to get away and work through this."

Margaret nodded. "I think that can be arranged. Let me speak with the Chief for a minute and I'll be right back."

Cherie nodded. Margaret turned as she walked out the door. "Please wait here."

Cherie nodded again. Laying her head down on the table, her tears began to flow in earnest. She had done it. She had uncovered the traitor. Mitch would have been proud of her. She finally gave herself permission to feel all the things she had been suppressing for the last couple of days ... how much she missed him, how lonely and lost she felt.

She wasn't sure how long she had been like that when she felt a hand on her shoulder. The grief was consuming her so she didn't bother to look up.

"Do I get the time?" she asked quietly.

"Yes. I've cleared it with the Chief. You have two months beginning today." It was Margaret, but her voice was coming from across the room. So, who was standing next to her, comforting her? Karen or Kate had probably come back. She looked up and there, standing before her was the man she was grieving for.

"Mitch?"

"It's me, sweetheart. I'm here," he said as he sat down beside her and pulled her to him. After a few moments she pulled back. "But how? I was there in the hospital when you died. I was right there with you."

Margaret spoke up. "I'm afraid that was our doing. We had to make it appear that Mitch had died so that we could get you back in the field. We knew you wouldn't rest until you found out who was behind this. We needed to know who the mole was."

Cherie pulled further away from Mitch, her eyes blazing. "So you knew all along. You played me for a fool. You made me, and everyone else for that matter, think he was dead. We've been grieving over him and you knew all along that he was alive." Then she turned her attention back to Mitch. "And you. Were you a part of this?"

Mitch shook his head, but Margaret continued speaking. "No, Mitch didn't know. Once we knew he was out of the woods, we kept him sedated so he wouldn't wake up. We gave him a drug that imitates heart failure. As soon as you and the others left the hospital, we moved him back here and he's been in medical ever since. In fact, he should be getting some rest right now."

Cherie turned back to him and caressed his face. "So you're really okay?"

Mitch took her hand and kissed it. "Yes, I'm fine. Or I will be after a little rest."

Margaret spoke up again. "That's right. And I believe he will be needing some help with his recovery. So, as of now, you both have two months leave. I assume you will make good use of it. Take care of each other." With that, she turned and left the room.

"Mitch, I can't believe you're alive. I, I ..."

"Shhh. I'm sorry you had to go through all this. As soon as I became aware of what they had done, I let them know just what I thought of their tactics. I don't think it will be happening again anytime soon. I just wish I could erase the pain you've been through."

Cherie laughed. "Just seeing you here erases the pain. And it makes me appreciate what we have that much more."

Mitch took her hand again. Looking down, he noticed she was still wearing the ring he had given her for the mission. "I see you're still wearing the wedding ring."

Cherie looked at it and laughed. "Yeah. I almost took it off, but I decided to keep it on as a reminder of what I was fighting for. As if I needed one."

Mitch nodded. "Well, how about during the next two months we discuss where, when and how to replace that one with the real thing."

Cherie laughed. "Do you mean it?"

Mitch nodded again. "Absolutely. I think it's time, don't you?"

Cherie's tears flowed again as she laughed. "Oh, yeah, big guy. I definitely think it's time." Then they stood and walked out of headquarters, arm-in-arm.

The words "THE END" rolled across the screen and the credits began to roll. After the director and producer's names rolled past, the line "Adapted from ‘A Spy's Revenge,' a novel by Amani Jensen" rolled by.

Once the credits had rolled, the house lights came up and the select crowd in attendance applauded. North, Rita, and Kit came forward first.

"What a great movie, She ... Amani," North said.

"Thanks," Sherry laughed, "but all I did was write the book."

Curlly, Avillion, Sly and Brenna were next. "Great story, Amani," Brenna said.

"Thanks guys," Sherry answered. "It was a pretty easy one for me to write."

Operations and Madeline approached. "It seems people like the movie, Amani," Operations remarked. "Personally, I think it could have used a bit more action."

Madeline weighed in with her opinion. "I recognized all of your characters, Amani. You might want to be a bit more careful when you write about us. It wouldn't do for anyone to figure out who we are."

Sherry shook her head. "Of course not, Madeline. I'll do better next time. But when I wrote the book, I never imagined they would want to make a movie out of it."

Madeline nodded. "Of course. I just hope we are able to keep your cover with this growing fame. We may have to retire Amani Jensen if you become too popular."

After all her friends had left the private premiere, Michael took her hand to lead her out of the theater. "So this Mitch, he's a pretty special guy, huh?"

"You better believe it," she answered, "although I happen to prefer one named Michael. But I couldn't blow his cover. Gotta protect him, you know."

Michael smiled. "And the movie was fairly accurate. Was your character true to form?"

Sherry stopped and turned to him. "Yes. I meant every word of it, Michael. I'd be lost if anything happened to you."

Michael put his finger on her lips. "Shhh. Don't. Let's just enjoy the evening and your success. And maybe we can work on setting a date of our own."

"Do you mean it?" she asked.

Michael laughed. "Just like the movie, huh? Well then, absolutely. I think it's time, don't you?'"

Sherry laughed. "Oh yeah, big guy. I definitely think it's time."

The End