CHAPTER 1 #2
As a picture of a man appeared on the main screen, Colbert resumed speaking.
"Robert Caldwell, sixty, Canadian citizen born in Montreal.
Fluent in five languages, he has a law and business background and is on Forbes's World's Most Powerful People list. He's one of the wealthiest men in Canada, perhaps even worldwide.
He made his fortune after founding the media group AtMedias in 2000 with his long-time friend, Benoit Fortin.
Caldwell has been the CEO of AtMedias from the very beginning. "
The display shifted from Caldwell's photo to a corporate organizational chart.
"As of this date, AtMedias manages 35 English and 8 French television stations, 71 radio stations, and 40 print media outlets nationwide in Canada.
The company has since diversified into various fields, including film and television production and professional sports.
AtMedias is also one of the world's leading event promoters.
But the most interesting thing for us is 'BONA.FIDES. '"
"'BONA.FIDES'?"
"This is the platform AtMedias has developed and implemented in Canada under Caldwell's leadership over the past ten years," continued Colbert.
This system is designed to find and get rid of misinformation, with a recent focus on what's generated by AI.
AtMedias is now considered one of the world's most reliable media outlets, all thanks to this platform. "
Colbert took a moment to glance at her before continuing his briefing.
"In the coming days, AtMedias will announce a major consolidation of independent Australian media groups.
A multi-billion-dollar transaction fully backed by Canberra, primarily to ensure the establishment of 'BONA.FIDES' in Australia.
It's a strategic pivot by the Australian government in the fight against disinformation.
We have to make sure this deal happens, at all costs. "
Roxy nodded slowly. "I see. But with all due respect, this sounds rather like an economic operation, doesn't it? That's not really my area of expertise. I'm struggling to see how I might be of any use."
Then Carl intervened, unaware he was about to alter Roxanne Powell's life drastically—both for good and bad.
"You are absolutely right, Powell. This isn't your usual fieldwork.
The Australians are dealing with logistics, including 'BONA.FIDES,' but they ask us to support them via a secret, secure channel.
We don't require your physical capabilities, Agent Powell. We need your people skills."
Roxy's curious head tilt made Colbert smile.
"Caldwell is an ordinary man, known for being pragmatic.
He married Marianne Boyer in 1990, who died in 2011 from aggressive leukaemia.
The couple were parents to twin daughters, Ellen and Taylor Caldwell, and also adopted Jessica, daughter of Beno?t Fortin, who died in a fatal car crash along with his wife in 2005. "
Wait! Did he say Taylor Caldwell? Seriously?
Roxy kept her tone neutral. "And why are we interested in the Caldwells?"
Malcolm switched to the next slide, and that's when her professional portrait, which could be found on the AtMedias website, appeared. Roxy sat up straight in her chair, without thinking.
"Agent Powell, please meet Ellen Caldwell," Colbert said, "codename: Prodigy."
She was identical to her famous sister. With her dark brown hair framing her face, she was dressed impeccably in an elegant black suit and white blouse. Her gaze was deep, and one could see it was a protective gaze. The big question remained: protective of what?
"A 30-year-old lawyer from Montreal with an MBA, just like her father.
According to Intel, 'Prodigy' is on track to be appointed as her father's successor in the next 10 years.
She's the one who came up with the idea to her father with this Australian expansion plan.
Her pitch impressed the AtMedias board, which led to her being chosen to lead operations on the ground. "
"Why are we concerned about her?" Roxy asked.
Another picture of Ellen Caldwell and her father from the same keynote appeared on the screen.
"She's a strategic vulnerability. We know the bare minimum about her.
No suspicious communications, no traceable ties, and no identifiable romantic relationships at the moment.
Too clean. CSIS never had much reason to look into her until now. "
He glanced at Carl, who immediately picked up the thread. "We want you to be in charge of a set-up."
"It seems like overkill to do a complete set-up, given her lack of history," Roxy said. It was more rhetorical than anything, because in her line of work, everything could be a potential problem.
Colbert nodded. "CrossPoint is much larger than 'Prodigy' and, with due respect, you don't have the necessary clearance to know more than what we are disclosing to you today.
There is no margin for error, and every move must be precise.
We can't risk having a vulnerability. It's not that we don't trust her, but absolute opacity draws attention. And our adversaries—"
"—Will exploit those cracks," she finished.
"You've got it exactly right, Powell," Colbert said.
"But just to clarify, 'Prodigy' is not a threat, quite the contrary.
Our services are monitoring the surroundings, but we need to establish proximity.
Should anything change, anyone approach her, or if she falters, we need someone ready before it gets worse. "
Roxy slightly leaned back, as things now made sense. "I see. You want me to be her friend?"
"The path you take to reach it is your prerogative," Colbert said.
"I'm going to need a lot more information about her. She wouldn't be where she is now if she wasn't clever. She could quickly see me coming."
"Unfortunately, that's all the intel the CSIS has for you at the moment, but we're continuing to dig," added Belinda Savoie.
"There's something else," Carl shouted back.
"Of course, there is." Roxy smiled at him.
"Your cover as a security consultant gives you a perfect excuse to cross paths." He paused. "If the door opens, officially or not, we want MSS positioned to take over AtMedias security protocol worldwide. For all countries in the alliance."
Roxy raised an eyebrow. "So, I'm not just observing her."
"Just get her to MSS and we'll handle it from there."
"But your focus must remain on the main objective," Colbert clarified as he closed the file with a sharp clap.
"Your participation is facultative, Powell.
But we need your decision within twenty-four hours to allow us to proceed with our contingency plan.
'Prodigy' lands in Sydney in a month. We need to move fast."
She didn't reply. Instead, she stood, took the tablet, and tucked it under her arm. Roxy was always thinking several setps ahead, having already mentally started the assignment. She knew, the moment she saw Prodigy’s face, that this wasn’t just an assignment.
It was a chess game she was already playing, two moves ahead on how she would approach her.
***
Roxanne Powell - 5:45 PM Hey, I'm leaving the office soon. Will be home around 7. Need anything?
Charles Roberts - 5:45 PM No, thank you, love. See you soon.
Roxy didn't have much time after the briefing to think about 'Prodigy.
' She immediately withdrew herself to write the final debriefing report for her last assignment.
Unlike her colleagues, writing the report was perhaps her favourite part of the job.
Roxy had a knack for storytelling, thanks to those years spent with her best friend Meredith Price, a film director from London she hadn't spoken to since she joined the Service.
And now, it was time for Roxy to head home. As soon as she entered the hall, Carl caught up with her. "Powell, could I have a word, please? It won't be long."
"Sure. What is it?"
He led Roxy into a small soundproof room and started speaking. "Thanks for considering the 'Prodigy' assignment. I know it might seem lighthearted or like something for junior agents. But it could be the right time for you, for a lot of things."
"Oh, I'll do it. I need to take my foot off the pedal. And I think I've pulled my weight plenty these past couple of years. But what do you mean by 'timing good for me?'"
He hesitated, then said softly, "Look, Roxy, I wanted to share the news myself before it circulates. My cover will be scrapped in six months. I've accepted a public post in London."
Roxy blinked. She didn't know what to feel about that bomb.
"And here's the thing—your name is on the shortlist to replace me as station chief. If it happens, you'd be the youngest ever appointed in the Service."
"Carl…"
He stared at Roxy for a couple of seconds. "I know you're not after medals. But you've earned it. If you genuinely want it, this mission could be the first step. Not just to tidy up your file—to prove you can operate at every level."
She stood there silently, a knot in her throat. She'd never thought it was even a possibility for her to see herself in that kind of position. But did she really want it? The answer was a clear no.
"Christ. Congratulations… to you. And… I'm completely stumped."
He gave her a half-smile. "Just say yes to 'Prodigy.'"
But 'Prodigy' was already a done deal in Roxy's head.
***
It was a little after 7 p.m. in the middle of Paddington.
She looked at the home, a traditional Sydney terrace house—meticulously renovated by the previous owner—she'd called it home for the past two years before heading toward the front door, feeling as though the weight of the world was resting on her shoulders.
Just like every time she returned from a mission. Fortunately, she hadn't had to kill anyone. At least not this time.
The aroma of Charles's mother's spaghetti sauce hit her the moment she stepped into the house. It had a simultaneous sense of comfort and unease. The reason being Charles's presence.
They had been together for the last seven years and he wanted to be with Roxy forever. He seemed like the perfect match on paper for her. So, what was the problem?
Despite the lies filling their lives, Roxy's feelings for Charles and her concern for him were undeniably true.
Roxy's biggest fear was if she was worthy of him and if she could fulfill his romantic needs.
She loved him, but she knew she should desire him with the passion of a lover.
It was completely unfair, which was a cruel twist of fate for him.
As she passed the door with her mask on, Roxy shouted, "Hey, I'm home!"
Charles stepped out of the kitchen and joined her with a smile worthy of a Golden Doodle.
Enveloping her in a warm embrace, he exclaimed, "Oh, I'm so glad you're back.
These five days apart felt like a whole lifetime without you here.
Maybe I could come with you next time you go to Japan.
We could have a little couple's holiday.
We haven't really had one since we arrived in Sydney. "
"Yeah. It could be a good idea. Perhaps another time." The problem was that Roxy had never set foot in Japan. Roxy needed to remember another lie, making sure she maintained the false reality of her life she played when they were together.
"Roxy, I know you're bound by NDAs and can't share work details, but I'm still immensely proud of you.
Remember when you were worried you wouldn't find a job when we moved here?
" he said, kissing her cheek. "Now, go take a hot bath.
I'll finish dinner, and then… Survivor? I can't wait to know if Sam is going to get blindsided tonight or if he will be smart enough to play that hidden immunity idol. "
Roxy smiled genuinely for the first time in, what… days? Survivor nights with Charles were their cherished weekly ritual—a time for genuine connection devoid of any lies. "Thanks, you're sweet. I won't be long."
She went upstairs and headed straight for the bathroom to shut herself in and catch her breath. Her constant stream of lies blurred the lines between reality and fabrication, even for herself. To be honest, it left her drained.
The bath was running and she'd just finished removing her make-up when Malcolm Colbert's voice echoed in her head once more. "Codename: 'Prodigy,'" she recalled. What an arrogant name, but painfully accurate.
In the course of her duties, Roxy has tracked down the most dangerous threats to the interests of her country and its allies around the world. The country is safer from terrorist attacks because of her, and her hands are stained with the very blood that has kept the world from greater harm.
But infiltrate this woman's life? Why?
She reached for the tablet on the edge of the bath, and she studied her picture again.
Who are you, Ellen Caldwell?
Roxy stared at her photo. It was 'Prodigy's' stillness which got her. Her jaw was tense, like someone who had learned to keep everything in.
'Prodigy' didn't know Roxy, one of the best MI6 agents, was watching and studying her. That was the worst, and it made Roxy sick.
She had never faced such a moral dilemma, and yet, given everything she had done, the assignment's conflict with her values made it clear to Roxy that 'Prodigy' belonged to her. Protecting her was a moral obligation, though the threat remained unknown. Probably from Roxy herself.
'Prodigy' left her with more questions than answers.
Why?
What motivated her decision to move to Australia?
What was she running away from?
Why did she choose to forsake everything?
Roxy couldn't understand why she was so concerned. It wasn't about 'Operation CrossPoint.' However, she also remained clueless.
And what if 'Prodigy' saw through Roxy's game?
Worse, what if she didn't?
This assignment had every chance of leading Roxy to her downfall. How could she ignore all those red flags? She felt that the line between the personal and the professional was far too thin.
What if…
No, she couldn't think about Meredith. Not now.
'Prodigy' was far too dangerous a mission for Roxy, and yet she didn't hesitate to grab her phone.
Asset 45943 – Secure- 7:42 PM I'm in.
Carl's reply was immediate.
Chief Station – Secure - 7:43 PM I knew we could count on you.