Wenclair Spy Family, Part 18
See Part 1, Part 16, Part 17
Weems enters her office and finds Wednesday pacing nervously up and down.
Wednesday: Barclay is watching me.
Weems: As always. The last time she tried to poke her nose into our business, it ended badly for her. I doubt she'll try again.
Wednesday stops and stares at Weems unblinking.
Wednesday: She knows about Agnes.
Weems: *sighs* If her suspicion was grounded, the secret police would already be in your apartment, you know that, right? She's bluffing. As always.
Wednesday: She seemed serious. And she has dirt on me.
Wednesday pulls out the photos Bianca recently showed her. Weems glances at them briefly and sighs again.
Weems: You continue to disappoint me, Raven. Not noticing a tail at such close proximity… that's a serious fuck-up.
Wednesday clenches her jaw. Weems is right. Wednesday has been making more and more mistakes.
Weems: But. There are no clear faces in these photos. The image is blurry. Not enough evidence to take to the secret police — especially for someone with such a ruined reputation. *grins* Still, we should be careful. I already have something for you.
Weems hands Wednesday a booklet.
Wednesday: Nevermore. No way. It's a loyalist school where children are exposed to Ostania propaganda and pro-military sentiment.
Weems: Exactly. Most politicians' children attend this school. We need to have our influence there. Besides, it will strengthen your cover.
Wednesday: *frowning* Agnes will not attend this school.
Weems: *firmly* She will. Your parental leave is over. We have plenty of work for you beyond that child.
Wednesday: I remind you — it was your idea for me to keep Agnes.
Weems: Yes. And now I'm taking it back. I'm tired of your failures.
Wednesday: I have Enid now! There's no need to send Agnes there. Enid will take care of her, and I'll concentrate on our missions.
Weems: *scoffing* Will you? Should I remind you how you abandoned your last mission?
Wednesday: I had a vision. Someone was trying to kidnap Agnes.
Weems: Yes, I read your fascinating report. And I recall Agnes was safe and sound when you returned. Which means — your visions are unreliable! I've always told you that, but now you almost compromised the mission.
Wednesday remains silent, accepting the argument is compelling.
Weems: When it comes to Agnes, you become… reckless. We don't appreciate that kind of dependency. You need distance and a clear head. The order is not up for debate.
Wednesday nods, no longer trying to argue.
Wednesday: Acknowledged. So, how to enter that damned school?
Weems: The entrance exams start in a week. Agnes will need to pass intelligence tests: history, math, and language. They'll also look into her family background — we'll handle that, but you need to be careful. No unnecessary moves that might raise suspicion. One more condition — the full family. That means you need to find a spouse.
Weems: You heard me. We need to arrange a fake marriage. The spouse needs to be someone reliable, someone you know everything about. Our own spies won't work — the school digs deep, and we have a higher chance of being revealed. So find yourself an ostanian partner. I have faith in you.
Wednesday purses her lips slightly. The task is absurd. Find a spouse in seven days? She hardly knows anyone trustworthy. Correction: there is exactly one person. But that’s —
Enid sits nervously at a table. Her eyes are red, like she's been crying.
Divina: Hey, E! What's wrong?
She places a letter on the table. It's a summons.
"According to the recent werewolf mobilization law, Enid Sinclair is summoned to join the Ostania army. You must report to the nearest military unit within seven days. Attendance is mandatory. Evasion will result in criminal prosecution."
Enid: *almost crying* I don't know what happened. I… I've never even shifted. I never went through military training. How can they summon me?
Divina: Enid, please, breathe!
Enid: I finally found a good job! I almost spared enough money for Connor's treatment! What am I supposed to do now? What if the real war starts? What if I get killed?! Then who's going to take care of him?
Divina: *taking her hand* Breathe, Enid. We'll figure something out. It's probably a mistake. I… I won't let them take you.
