Once Upon a Spy (Humorous Cozy Mystery) by Nic Saint Read Free Book Online Page B

drawing of an eagle, quite nicely rendered. “Wow. You’re getting really good at this, aren’t you?”
    Mom shrugged, almost embarrassed. “Jocelyn said it looks like an eagle, and I guess she’s right. It does, doesn’t it?”
    Jocelyn Walters was Mom’s art teacher at the night school she’d been attending for the last four months. After a lifetime of taking care of her family, she’d yearned to pick up the hobby she’d abandoned when she’d met Gerald Assenheimer and set up house. At the age of 56, she felt it was time she did something for herself again, and Yvonne had heartily agreed. The rest of the family hadn’t really understood why someone would want to spend their time drawing stuff on a piece of paper, but then they’d always been a rough and uncultured brood.
    “I think it looks great, Mom. You’re so talented.”
    Mom’s eyes lit up. “Thanks, honey. I like to think I used to be better, and with a little practice, the old skills just might put in a repeat performance.”
    Yvonne carefully replaced the drawing into the art folder, and placed the bag on the floor. “I think you’re crazy talented, Mom. If you keep this up, you’ll be exhibiting at the Museum of Modern Art soon.”
    Her mother uttered a startled laugh. “Not quite, hon. But thanks for the vote of confidence.”
    Yvonne leaned back in her chair and picked out another potato. Contrary to her mother, she didn’t possess an artistic bone in her body, but to see her mother happy made her happy, too, and that was all that mattered.
    Soon, though, her thoughts returned to ASS and the weird day she’d had.
    “Did you always know you had this talent for drawing?”
    “Oh, no, honey. And I still don’t. But I love the process.” She turned to Yvonne. “I really don’t need to see my work in a museum. I simply love to draw, and that’s all I need. My own gratification.“
    With a grave nod, Yvonne tried to apply this little nugget of wisdom to her own life. She’d always been good at garbage collecting, but had she really liked it? Had she been passionate about it? She didn’t think so. But would she like working for ASS? She’d have to wait and see. And if she didn’t? She’d not give it another thought and quit immediately. Life was too short to be engaged in any activity you didn’t feel passionate about.
    “What is it, honey? I can tell you’re brooding.”
    She looked up to find her mother scrutinizing her. “I’m fine, Mom. Just something at work I need to figure out.”
    Mom nodded thoughtfully. “If you want to talk about it, you know where to find me, hon.”
    “Thanks, Mom.” Perhaps I’ll take you up on that offer sooner than you think.

Chapter 11

    The following morning, the sun was shining bright and free, and Yvonne, having slept fitfully, was happy to greet it with a smile. Today was the day her new life started, and she’d decided somewhere between the hours of two and three, that she’d give it her all.
    Stepping into the small alleyway that was the entrance to the ASS compound, she was happy to find Izzy already on the spot.
    “What took you so long!” her friend cried out by way of greeting.
    Yvonne glanced down at her watch. “Long? It’s not even half past eight. You’re early.”
    “Couldn’t sleep. Too nervous about today.”
    “Me, neither.”
    “I should have stayed over like you told me to. At least we could have stayed awake together.”
    After their movie night—Two Weeks Notice, a Hugh Grant flick in honor of their new job—Izzy had wanted to return home, so she could be fresh and relaxed for this most important day. It clearly hadn’t worked.
    “So? You ready?” Izzy hopped from one leg to the other, too hyped to remain still, her eyes wide and innocent.
    “Hardly.”
    They both gazed up at the nondescript rear facade of the old building. The windows had been bricked up, and the three story structure looked as derelict as any of the other buildings in the alley.