For fifteen years, my parents called me an unemployed failure, never knowing what I truly did for a living. I let them believe it—until Grandma sent one coded message: “The blue bird stopped singing.” My bl:ood froze. Thirty minutes later, I arrived at their door with two police officers. My mother whispered, “How did you know?” I looked at her and said, “Because this is my job.”

I immediately rushed over to the heavy bedroom door and forcefully kicked the solid wood near the digital locking mechanism.

The reinforced steel absolutely refused to budge, confirming that Liam had securely engaged the maximum lockdown protocol.

Sarah was sobbing hysterically on the floor, finally realizing that her corrupt federal partner was completely throwing her to the wolves.

"We are all going to violently die in here because of you!" my father screamed at Sarah, his face pale with utter terror.

I completely ignored their pathetic, cowardly bickering and rushed back to Evelyn, who had safely dropped her fake heart attack act.

Evelyn winked at me completely subtly and pointed a wrinkled finger toward the dusty corner of the guest bedroom.

Sitting entirely neglected on a small wooden end table was an ancient, corded rotary telephone that my parents never bothered to unplug.

"The digital jammer only blocks cellular and modern Wi-Fi frequencies, not analog copper lines," Evelyn whispered brilliantly.

I quickly holstered the stolen pistol in my waistband and sprinted over to the antique, beige telephone.

I picked up the heavy plastic receiver and felt a massive wave of relief when I heard the steady, uninterrupted dial tone.

I rapidly dialed the direct, unlisted emergency number for Director Hayes, the absolute highest-ranking official in my federal task force.

The secure line rang twice before Hayes answered with his signature, deeply gruff, no-nonsense voice.

"Director, this is Agent Maya, I have a code red emergency at my Portland location," I spoke rapidly into the receiver.

I quickly explained the jammer, Liam's massive betrayal, the stolen trust funds, and the imminent cartel hit squad.

"Hold your position, Maya, I am immediately dispatching a heavily armed tactical strike team to your exact coordinates," Hayes promised firmly.

I let out a heavy breath, finally believing that absolute salvation was rapidly on its way to save my grandmother.

"Just to completely verify your identity, Agent, what is the exact secure phrase we established during the Miami operation?" Hayes asked calmly.

My blood instantly froze completely solid in my rapidly pounding veins.

I had absolutely never worked a single operation in Miami during my entire fifteen-year career at the federal agency.

The only person who continually bragged about his massive success in Miami was my corrupt partner, Liam.

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Hayes was not verifying my identity; he was subtly confirming that he was entirely in on the massive conspiracy with Liam.

"The blue bird stopped singing," I lied coldly, before violently ripping the telephone cord completely out of the wall.

Chapter 6 - The Analog Bypass