Page 2 of An Epic Voyage

“I know this is coming to you out of the blue, but I need you to keep an open mind.What I’m about to tell you is classified information.”

“As in you’ll toss me in Gitmo if I blab?”She’d read horror stories of the military facilities in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Evangeline chuckled.“I wouldn’t be so dramatic, but I expect your discretion.Everything I know about you tells me you can be trusted.”

Indy considered herself honest and reliable.A vault.If someone asked her not to repeat something, she didn’t.She’d never been one to gossip, probably since she’d been the topic of discussion so many times throughout her childhood.Everyone felt sorry for the poor little orphan girl.

“I’m putting together a team of three handpicked women for an undercover shadow unit.ThinkCharlie’s Angelswith badges.”

Indy’s pulse picked up speed.She’d discovered the seventies television show during a stint at one of her foster homes and had streamed every episode more than once.She’d even recruited two other girls to pretend they were the trio of badass private detectives.They’d go around solving made-up crimes using their finger guns.Never in her wildest dreams had she thought she might be one of them someday.

“Okay, you’ve sufficiently piqued my interest.”

“Good.”

“What do you mean by an undercover shadow unit?”

“Exactly as it sounds.We won’t exist on paper and you won’t be able to tell anyone what you do for a living.We work under the direction of the commander-in-chief.”

Indy’s mouth dropped open.“You want me to work for the president of the United States?”

“Yes.”

Indigo’s heart thumped inside her chest.The spiel this woman, Evangeline Charvet, was feeding her was too far-fetched to believe—wasn’t it?Things like this didn’t happen to ordinary people like her, outside of the movies.

Was she seriously considering giving up everything she’d been working toward for four grueling years of college for what sounded like the premise of a television series?

Oh, good Lord, shewas.

Chapter One

Indigo Adair shookthe blow-dryer with a diffuser attached under Mavis Hern’s shorter locks, fluffing the silvery curls.The new style emphasized the texture of Mavis’s hair and complemented the shape of her face.She had developed permanent ridges where she’d rolled her wet hair tightly into a bun for so many years.Cutting it had been the only way to eliminate the awkward creases.

Indy wasn’t sure she’d be able to convince the older woman to try the stylish cut.It was a drastic departure from her usual look.Thankfully, she’d given in and let Indy work magic with her scissors.

Indy switched off the dryer, stashed it into the holding cup, and tugged off Mavis’s black barber cape, shaking the shorn tresses to the floor.Mavis hadn’t wanted to watch as Indy trimmed the long hair she’d grown out for years.“Are you ready, Mavis?”