Halfway through the movie, Estelle's phone lit up with the emblem of Eagle Valley. Her gaze sharpened, and she switched off the TV, entering the password to access Eagle Valley's secure network.
Upon seeing the black eagle wings on the screen, Estelle squinted her eyes and tapped on the covert mission briefing.
After reading through the details, she pondered for a moment, then rose and made her way to the study.
She picked up a different phone, dialed a six-digit number, and after a secure passphrase, waited for the "beep beep" of the pager tone.
Seconds later, the call connected, and a voice with a digitally altered tone spoke, "What's the issue?"
"I'll take the mission," Estelle stated. "But I have a condition this time!"
"Let's hear it."
"After I complete the mission, I want Gab to retire."
There was a brief pause before the voice replied, "Gab has his own assignments, and we haven't been able to contact him for a month now. His status is unknown, I can't make that promise."
"What if he's alive? Can he retire after this mission then?"
Silence fell on the other end of the line.
Estelle's voice was calm and resolute, "Doesn't Gab deserve some peace after twenty years of service?"
"Some things are beyond our control," the voice replied. "Gab's role is irreplaceable. Only he can subdue certain forces. There are matters we can't intervene in, and only Gab can handle them."
Estelle pressed on, "You said yourself his status is unknown. If he's dead, his mission would end, and you'd need to find a replacement. Why not consider him dead this time?"
"Do you really think Gab himself wants to retire?" the voice challenged.
Estelle paused briefly, "This is my only condition. I complete the mission, and in exchange, Gab retires. Besides, our agreement is nearly up. This might be the last thing I do for you."
After ending the call, Estelle let out a long sigh, leaned back in her chair, and closed her eyes, her mind awash with thoughts.
Suddenly, another phone on the desk vibrated. It was a message from Jonathan.
[Ella, are you asleep? I miss you.]
Estelle gripped the phone, her eyes suddenly moist.
In Serenity Springs, Amiee had gone to take a shower, and Josiah was lounging on the bed with a look of contentment.
He glanced at his phone and his expression turned to excitement as he shouted, "Amiee, the boss took a job!"
Hearing Josiah's enthusiastic call, Amiee's lips curled slightly upward. She quickly finished her shower, wrapped herself in a towel, and stepped out.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
Time for Carson andarina to comit. Thank you for the updates....
Things are looking up for Xavier and Norah. Thank you for the updates....
Woohoo! This was sooooo good. Thank you for the updates....
This was classic updates. Thank you so much...
May we please have updates. Thank you...
I sincerely hope that Gonzalez finds the taped meeting of Hannah and Trevor to throw them under the bus....
How will Gonzalez get back at Hannah, Yvonne and Trevor for the setup and fall from grace....
Adrian needs to safe face and not do this. It will embarrass he and Norah and his family. Thank you for the updates....
This a HOT MESS for them both....
WOW! I didn't see that coming at all for Norah nor Gonzalez, the plot thickens. Thank you for the updates....