Chapter 5

"Katie Prisk, please come to the Guidance Counselor's office."

This announcement came from the speaker by the clock in her Chemistry class. Katie didn't wait for her teacher to say anything, she exited out the door and down the hall.

She was glad she got called out. It was the last day before finals, and Mr. Blass was going over what was going to be on the test.

Katie thought that was stupid. Why go over what we already know? Teach us something new; even if it won't be on the test.

She had no idea why she'd been called to the guidance office. All her career inquiries, so far, had been busts, and no more were scheduled.

The door to counselor's office was closed. Katie knocked.

"Come in," said an unfamiliar voice.

Inside was a woman she had never seen before, holding a clipboard.

"I'm supposed to meet Ms. Starke."

"No, Katie. You're to meet me. Ms. Starke is letting me use her office. I'm Madelyn Jones." She reached out and firmly shook the teen's hand.

At first glance, Ms. Jones looked ordinary, almost non-descript. She had collar-length black hair, flat gray eyes, and pale plain features. She was wearing a gray businesswoman's suit, that matched her eyes, and had a slim frame on her five foot six body.

But Katie could tell that there was more to this woman than met the eye. It was subtle, but the way she carried herself showed that she was constantly on guard, but knew she could handle anything that came her way.

After shaking her hand, Katie took a step back. "I don't know you."

"No, but I know you. Certain agencies have been watching you, at least since you set the record for having your hands registered as a deadly weapon, with the police, at age fourteen. Impressive."

Katie blushed. She had tried to keep that quiet. Heather knew, but no one else. "Who are you with? CIA? NSA?"

"Who I work for will only be answered after you accept my offer. I know you have looked into a career in the military, with little success."

The teen nodded. "They don't allow girls, and short people in the special forces. The best they could offer me was military police."

Madelyn nodded. "So I've heard. Actually, the people I work for are interested in you for the same reasons the military isn't."

"How's that?"

"There are some instances when it is difficult to infiltrate areas of the world, without drawing unwanted attention. With the right hair and dress, you could easily pass as a ten year old. No one would suspect you were a spy."

"A spy?! Is that what you want me to be?"

"Among other things."

"Wow! I never thought I would be a spy."

"Not immediately. You still need a lot of training.

"Do you know any foreign languages?"

"A little Hindi. My friend Mira taught me."

"Ah, yes. Your lover. Daughter of an Indian consul."

Katie's jaw hit the floor.

"Before we consider anyone, we do a thorough background search. We know all about your aunt and uncle, and your older brother in the institution."

Another secret known only by her, Heather, and her aunt and uncle.

"He's not crazy, you know."

"We know. Down's Syndrome is not a crime."

"Some people act like it is. Like it reflects on my intelligence."

"One look at your test results will disprove that.

"Do you know what your IQ is?"

"Last time I checked, it was in the one-fifty's."

"Remarkable. And you don't want to go to college?"

"I got a full ride to Cal Tech."

"We know."

"But none of what they have to offer interests me."

Katie paused to find the best way to phrase her thoughts. "I'm interested in how people think. What motivates them? What pushes their buttons."

"Psychology."

"I've checked college curricula. They emphasize abnormal psychology. The neurotics, psychotics, and schizophrenics. I am more interested normal people. How they think, and how to manipulate them. Like a police interrogator, but more subtle."

"Your interests mesh very well with what I have to offer. We spend quite a bit of time interrogating hostile people, trying to extract information, often without them realizing they were being interrogated.

Katie thought for a moment. "This sounds interesting. Let me talk it over with my mom."

"Fine. Just don't mention it to Mira."

"That makes sense. I won't."

"Great, here's my card. Call me when you've made your decision. Either way."

"I will. You'll know within a week."

"Wonderful." Madelyn extended her hand. "I look forward to hearing from you."

Katie shook her hand. "You've given me a lot to think about."

Heather warbled out an off-tune rendition of "Happy Birthday," as Katie blushed under the glow of eighteen candles.

"Go ahead. Make a wish," said Heather.

The eighteen year old closed her eyes for a second, then blew at the candles. They all went out in one puff.

Heather clapped. "What did you wish for?"

"I hope it's not cheating. I wished for two things."

"I don't know," she said wryly. "Two wishes might cancel each other out."

"God, I hope not."

"What did you wish for?"

"I wished that my job offer with the government will come through."

"I'm sure it will. From your description, this Madelyn person was really taken with you."

"Yeah, but there's a psych test and training at Quantico, Virginia."

"I'm sure you'll do fine."

"I sure hope so," said Katie.

"What else did you wish for?"

The teen smiled a secret smile and stood up. "I'll show you."

"Wait! Before you go anywhere, I have a gift for you."

Katie sat back down. "What is it?"

Heather pulled out a large swollen manila envelope. "This came from your aunt and uncle, two days ago."

"What's in it?"

"It's your money. Now that you are an adult, you now control the insurance money left to you.

"Say what you will about them, but your relatives know how to invest. Even with the generous stipend they sent you every month, your money has more than doubled."

"What about the scholarship money?"

"It will be yours if you go to college, or at age twenty-one."

"I can wait."

"Your aunt and uncle said they could continue to manage your money for you. All they wanted was ten percent of the profit they make for you, from now on."

"Heck! They should have been paid ten percent for the work they've done already."

"It's your money. I'm sure they'd appreciate some sign of appreciation."

"You're right.

"For all my complaining about their hick lifestyle, they really are good people."

"I'm glad you've come to that realization."

"Oh, I think I've always known it. I just wouldn't admit it."

"You certainly turned out differently, if you had lived with them, instead of me."

"Yeah. I would have spent most of the time in and out of juvenile hall."

Heather cut into the chocolate cake, that she'd bought at a neighborhood deli, for both of them.

"You know," said Heather, through a mouthful of cake, "as of today, I am no long your guardian. You are an emancipated adult."

"I know. It plays a part in my second wish."

"Really?" asked the former guardian, intrigued. She knew not to bite. Katie would tell her secret in her own time.

"Anyway, you can stay in your room until you find what you'll be doing. But if you stay too long, I'll start charging you rent."

"Oh, I won't be here long. If I decide to stay in New York, and open my own dojo, I'll find my own place."

"Good, good. I wouldn't mind you staying here, but you need to have a place of your own. Get some independence."

"Oh, I agree, totally. I can't wait to move out of here. No offense, Heather."

"None taken. I couldn't wait to move out of my mom's house when I graduated from high school."

"But there is one thing I want to do before I move out."

Heather decided to bite. "And what would that be?"

Katie smiled broadly. "You'll see."

Heather cleared the table and put the dessert plates in the sink, with the rest of the dinner dishes, and the remaining cake in an empty cupboard shelf.

When she returned to the table, Katie was gone.

"Where'd you go?" she called.

"I'll be out in a minute!" the teen called from her room.

Heather sat down and waited.

A little over a minute later, Katie walked out, naked. Her bush shaved and body dusted with gold body glitter.

By her erect nipples and swollen labia, Heather could tell that Katie was sexually aroused.