Chapter 1

The Players

College sophomore, Krista James sat in her Newswriting and Reporting class paying close attention as

her professor began teaching them how to write a proper investigative piece. She knew that is what she

wanted to do when she graduated, within the next year and a half, so she was ready to soak everything in

like a sponge. Professor Jones was showing them a slide show featuring different techniques for

Investigative Journalism and she was furiously writing down notes. As the class neared its end, Professor

Jones got very serious.

“Class, I have an announcement to make. I’ve chosen to retire early and you will have a new professor

when you come back to class next Monday. He comes very highly recommended and I know that some

of you have had me for multiple classes in your time here, and I’m very sorry that I won’t be here to see

you finish your studies. If any of you need me for anything, please take down my cell number,” he said

as he began writing it down on the board, “I wish you all the best. See you around,” he finished as he

exited the classroom before anyone could try to say a proper goodbye to him.

Krista was shocked that he was retiring but she had another class to run to so she didn’t have time to sit

there and wonder or try to track him down. She gathered her things and headed out to her next class,

which was Feature Writing.

Her friend Amelia was in that class and luckily she was already there. “Did you hear about Professor

Jones?” Krista asked as she sat down next to her friend.

Amelia shook her head, “No, what are you talking about?” she was already whispering because the

teacher in this class was a hard ass.

Krista quieted her own voice, “He announced his retirement at the end of class but it starts today and they

already have a replacement lined up. If they were looking, wouldn’t he have mentioned his plans? Do

you think the University kicked him out?” she asked, but before she could say anything else, the teacher

was ready to start class.

Meanwhile at the headquarters of the CIA, Agent Edward Dario was nearing retirement himself but he

was heading to his Senior Officer’s office for his last assignment. “What do you have for me?” he

growled as he took a seat across from Agent Goodwin.

Goodwin smiled, “I think you’re going to really enjoy your last field op. We are sending you to a

University to convince one of its students to join the CIA.”

“A basic recruitment? That doesn’t seem all that exciting,” he said, frowning.

Goodwin leaned forward against her desk, “It is the farthest from basic. We approached this girl last year

because she’s been continuously at the top of her class and she grew up in the Middle East for a time, so

she’s fluent in Arabic. When our agent reached out to her she expressed zero interest and requested that

we never approach her again. We think that if you go in as her professor and flirt a little, you can gain her

trust and get her to join the team,” she explained.

Dario laughed, almost snorting as he took in what Goodwin was saying, “You think you’re gonna send me

in, at my age, and some young college girl is going to want to go out with me? Why not send a young

buck?” he suggested, still trying to gather his emotions.

Goodwin leaned back in his chair, “You have the most experience in these delicate scenarios and we have

done our research on this girl. She is into older guys and she’s posted on her social media accounts how

much she’d like to have a professor worth dating on campus. You are exactly what she’s looking for. If

you accept the job then you’ll need to get down there by Saturday so you can conveniently run into her at

her favorite club without letting her know you’re her professor yet and just getting her interested. Here’s

her file. You in?”

Dario took the file and nodded as he exited the office, his face still showing the same smirk from

moments ago at the idea that this mission will even work.

Back at the University, Krista walked back into her dorm after a long day of classes to find

Amelia already there waiting. “Mil, I know you wanted to go out tonight but can we do it

tomorrow? I am worn out and I would much rather just watch a show, maybe binge one, and eat

snack food. Does that work?” Krista asked as she slung her backpack into the closet.

Amelia smiled at her friend as she replied, “That is completely fine with me. What should we

do? Want to stay up all night watching?”

Krista thought for a moment before answering, “How about Gilmore Girls? You can pick which

season we start with,” her voice filled with excitement.

Amelia laughed out loud, “I vote for season 4! We should probably head to Target really quick

to stock up on goodies for our viewing party. Do you want to drive or would you like me to?”

“You drive. Let’s go grab some Doritos and Oreos!” Krista jumped up to grab her purse.

Back in DC, Dario was in his loft, alone, packing his bags. He was reviewing the file to see what

type of class he’d be in charge of. “News Writing,” he said to himself, flipping the pages before

stumbling onto a print out of Krista’s social media accounts. This is what he needed to read to

get to know more about her. She loved animals and according to her Twitter, she was a huge

animal rights advocate primarily for killer whales and sharks. Dario had no care in the world for

sea life and the more he dug into her file, the more he realized he was going to have to start. She

had terrible taste in movies and music, by his opinion. At the end of flipping through the file, he

felt this mission was going to be impossible. “Here’s to my final hurrah,” he said as he took a sip

of the whiskey he’d been milking all night. Once he closed the file, he got up and continued
packing clothes so that he would be ready to look his best to charm the student. He felt that this

may be the craziest mission the CIA had ever sent him on.