Learning to Spy Read Online Free PDF

enough to protect myself. Let him try another cowardly strike like before and see what happens.”
    “Gallatin,” she sighed. “You’re old enough to be more cooperative.”
    “I’m old enough to be where I want.”
    I jumped back behind the door when she turned away from him, facing my direction. Her arms were crossed over her stomach, and I saw her eyes were closed like she was having a painful memory.
    “I’ll never forget what happened. How you looked when I finally reached you, Sontag... I can’t sleep not knowing you’re safe, and I could never get to you in time if something happened again.”
    I heard him move, and I could only imagine he was going to her. His voice sounded less angry when he spoke.
    “How much longer must we stay here?”
    “Not much. Why don’t you talk to your grandfather again? That always cheers you.” I heard a smile in her warm tone.
    “Yes. I could try that.”
    “You know, I was hoping you might consider being my guard. When the time comes.”
    “I would be honored to protect you, my lady.”
    She laughed, and I couldn’t help admitting it was a sweet sound. “Well, that won’t be for a while. For now I’m still Cato, and you’re still my little brother.”
    He exhaled, and she continued. “And tonight I’m ordering you to take a break. I’ll take your shift here. You go rest or better still, I know Shubuta wants to discuss other options for if we’re detained longer than was planned.”
    “Shubuta.”
    “She often comments about you. She seems to enjoy your sense of humor.”
    “She’s old enough to be my mother.”
    “Mother was quite a bit older when she had you.”
    “I have no interest in Shubuta.”
    “Then do what you like. But Gallatin.” Her voice was serious now. “Do not let me hear you’ve been in the woods again. It isn’t safe.”
    My heart jumped. I had to learn more about that. What was going on in the woods and why wasn’t it safe?
    “Imprisonment,” he grumbled.
    “Thank you.”
    I listened as he left the barn and then waited a few moments before creeping back and then reentering as if I were just getting there. Cato smiled and nodded when she saw me approaching. She wore the same gray coveralls as me tonight, but her white-blonde hair was smoothed back in its usual twist. After overhearing their conversation, I was sure now she was a princess or something. She definitely looked the part with her long slim neck and regal features.
    Her eyes appeared almost white from a distance, but now that we were close, I could see they were very clear blue like two drops of water. She was beautiful, and she and her brother couldn’t look more dissimilar. Where he was fiery and unsettling, she was cool and soothing. But I’d also learned they had different fathers.
    “I’m here to help you,” she said, with an odd sense of anticipation in her voice, like milking cows was a special treat.
    I nodded. “Thanks, I guess.”
    She surprised me with a little laugh. “You guess? So you’re like the others? You think I shouldn’t be in a barn working?”
    “I don’t think anything, ma’am.”
    She pressed her lips together and studied me. “How were you able to work with a livestock vet? Being so small, I mean.”
    She’d been observing me since our first day in the field, but I couldn’t begin to guess why. And since Yolanda’d told me the story of what happened to Russell, I’d been more careful than ever against any slip-ups about Jackson’s being out there or my plans to find him. I certainly wasn’t going to tell her I’d started working with Dr. Green because Jackson’d dared me to do it.
    “I needed the money, and it was the best paying job I could find,” I said.
    That answer at least had a grain of truth in it.
    “I’m surprised he didn’t question your ability.” She picked up a bucket and handed it to me.
    I walked over to the larger cow Yolanda had worked earlier, sat down, and stroked her udders. I hoped the milk would