When the Team Twenty-Two members working in the Operations Center noticed Missy entering the room, they all welcomed her back and congratulated her on now being married.
Staff Sergeant Morgan asked, “Do we call you Lieutenant Ryan or Lieutenant McCrea?”
Missy grinned and said, “I’m keeping my maiden name so it’s still Lieutenant McCrea. Mike and I talked about it and because of all the confrontations I’ve had with terrorist leaders, we agreed I should keep being Missy McCrea while I’m in the Army.”
Ruby was standing next to Staff Sergeant Morgan and she said, “I’m not surprised. For the last fifty or so years, betweenten and twenty percent of married women have kept their maiden names for one reason or another. I guess being both well-known and greatly feared by terrorist leaders is a pretty good reason.” Everyone in the Operations Center laughed at hearing her say that.
Missy smiled to herself, recalling her conversation with Tracy. They had discussed this issue and Tracy had said there was no way she would become Lieutenant McCrea with Missy being known by that name. No, she too would keep her maiden name for as long as she was in the Army.
Major Grimes told Missy she had been missed and that General Hingham had been anxiously waiting for her return. “He learned from the SOD Group how you’re going back to Moscow this weekend. He’s been chomping at the bit to have you lead another mission into Russia and wasn’t happy when he learned you intended to continue spying over there in person.”
Missy nodded and said, “Yeah, Lisa told me how he was very upset when he learned about my nearly getting killed over in Beijing. Then he pleaded for my discontinuing any further spying like that since I’ve already infected the devices of so many people in the Russian regime. It was the Defense Secretary who insisted that I be allowed to keep going now that I have a new role I can play.”
“The general has no control over you whatsoever when you’re doing your Moscow gig. No doubt he believes he knows how to best utilize your many abilities but he’s biased. The Defense Secretary is all in on whatever you think you can do. Ever since those earthquakes in Iran, he’s fully backing you.”
“I know he is and I really appreciate that,” said Missy with a smile. “He told me as much when I talked to him at mywedding. I assured him that my new role over in Moscow was worth pursuing. The fact that Yury’s widow has decided I’m someone to be rewarded and likes the idea of having me be on the board of that company? I would never have guessed that would happen.”
The major nodded and said, “We can see the many possibilities for your role over there. Good luck this weekend.”
After the major had left, Mel came over and asked, “Did he mention where he’s going tonight, Missy?”
“No, why?”
Mel giggled and said, “I know you’ve already met that Captain Sofia Petrova, Colonel Horvath’s aide, right?”
Missy nodded and answered, “Sure, why?”
“Well, during the two weeks you’ve been gone, the major has started seeing Sofia quite often. I’m pretty sure that’s where he’s going tonight.”
“Are you saying those two might bedating?” asked Missy. She raised one of her eyebrows. “I can vouch for the fact they havenotbeen sleeping together.”
“I don’t know howseriousthings may have gotten, as yet,” explained Mel with an impish smile. “But I do know the major has put in a request to the SOD Group for her to get clearance to know all about what we do here. As I have often heard you say … when one thing leads to another …!” She paused and giggled again.
“Wow! That’s very interesting! We will have to wait and see how those things turn out.” Missy was thinking the FabulousFates might once again be asking their buddy Cupid to lend a helping hand.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Friday, July 8, 2022
When Missy teleported into her Cyprus cottage she was pleased to find all her wards were intact. None had been breached. She took a moment to admire the lovely view of the Mediterranean Sea.
She had harnessed enough extra energy so when she materialized, she was once again in her Moscow body. She checked herself out in the full-length mirror and was satisfied. Big boobs? Check. Curvy, voluptuous figure? Check. Beautiful buttocks? Oh, yes! Missy sighed. It was time to get glamourous once again.
She got dressed and called for a taxi. While she waited for that, she put on some makeup, put her hair up in an attractive style and packed up all her things.
After stopping by the rental office to turn in her key, she had the taxi bring her to the Larnaka International Airport. Then, resuming her Russian identity, she checked in for her flight back to Moscow. Soon she was sitting in her first-class seat, sipping a glass of champagne and waiting to takeoff. When the aircraft began to taxi down the runway, she mused about how having this Spanish identity as Missy Mendoza might be useful in the future.
Cyprus was an excellent location for her to travel to and then, as she had this time, she could hide out there rather than hiding in her Moscow apartment. She liked knowing she could have a good excuse for the frequent and lengthy absences whichwere ahead. She would be very busy going on missions with Team Twenty-Two in the future.
Four hours later, Missy went through customs and immigration in Moscow. When she emerged back into the terminal she was surprised to find Gavriil Reznikov waiting there for her. So were a few photographers from the paparazzi.
“Welcome back, Missy!” exclaimed Gavriil. “I took the liberty of meeting your flight. I am hoping you might agree to my taking you out for dinner after we drop your bags off at your apartment.”
Missy grinned at him and with a raised eyebrow she said, “You’re hoping you can learn how ready I might be for those business meetings we’re going to have in Zurich.” When she saw him chuckle at her having guessed correctly, she added, “I would love that, Gavriil. I always enjoy eating a good meal at a fancy restaurant, especially when someone else is paying for that.”
The paparazzi had now crowded closer and Missy posed for them, holding onto one of Gavriil’s arms. There were several questions asking if she was looking for anyone new to replace Yury and demanding to know who Gavriil might be. Missy replied, “No, no! I am still mourning Yury but life must go on. Gavriil is the executive director of Boris-Apteka, a company for which I am now a board member.” She wanted this information to become widely known as she reinvented her public image and celebrity reputation.
Gavriil led her out to where his limo was waiting and once they were seated inside and pulling away from the airport, he said, “I appreciate your willingness to pose with me in front of those photographers back there. Thank you for handling them so expertly.”
