Free Uneven Exchange by S.K. Derban Page B

I’m speaking English, I can change to Spanish. Daniela always switches from one language to the next, even in the middle of a sentence.”
    “Good idea, but that’s still not enough. You will need some more practice. It has to become second nature to you.”
    By comparing the graph numbers to those on the digital counter on the bottom right of the screen, Natalie and Alexandra first determined exactly which words were creating the problems. Then, with earphones in place, Alexandra closed her eyes and listened to Daniela’s voice. She tried to relax, allowing the sounds to become her own.
     
    ***
     
    Natalie
     
    Natalie left the room, giving Alexandra time to rehearse before they started the second round of voice-print taping. She also wanted to give Alexandra privacy, allowing her the freedom to completely connect to Daniela. Quietly, she closed the training room door and flipped the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign. While standing in the hallway, Natalie contemplated her next task, knowing she had at least a half hour of free time. After deciding to check in with her boss, she navigated the hall, turned the corner, and headed in the direction of Kevin’s office.
    As she suspected, he was buried under a mound of paperwork. Through the window in Kevin’s door, Natalie could see him vigorously filling out some sort of form. She knocked softly.
    Kevin looked up from his work and motioned for her to enter as he removed his reading glasses. “Hey, Sparky, come on in. Where’s Alex?”
    “She’s in the training room, practicing. We just finished reviewing the voice analysis, and I have her working on a few areas.”
    “So tell me. How do you think she’s doing?”
    “Alexandra is doing well, really well.” She paused and then added, “Sometimes I think she’s doing almost too well.”
    Kevin frowned as he asked, “How can she be doing too well? I don’t understand. Please explain what you mean?”
    Natalie took a quiet moment to formulate her thoughts before speaking. “Now, don’t get me wrong, boss,” she said, her voice somber. “Alex is doing great, and the longer we work together, the more I’m convinced she will have no problem standing in for Daniela. Before, she already looked the part, and now she can walk and talk and even act like Daniela. But…” Natalie hesitated and then looked directly into his eyes. “Kevin, I’m desperately concerned about what we’re doing to Alexandra. I mean for the long haul. There are times she transforms herself into Daniela, and then she never seems to change back. When we part ways, I feel as if I am saying good-bye to Daniela and that Alexandra is still buried somewhere deep inside her.”
    “I’m glad you’re concerned, Sparky, but I’m also sure Alexandra will be okay. Besides, maybe it’s not as bad as it seems. After all, she could be coming out of it on the drive home. You’ve worked undercover before, and you know how hard it is to shake the feeling and return to the real world.”
    Natalie slumped into one of his chairs. “Yes, I know all too well.”
    “Then trust me. She’ll be okay. Alexandra is one tough lady, and her faith in God is very strong. That will help her stay grounded and not lose herself in the part.”
    “Oh, I know that too. In fact, I think she’s even tougher than both of us realize. I simply cannot stop worrying, though. Plus, it bothers me that Alexandra doesn’t seem to have any type of personal life right now.”
    Kevin’s laugh echoed loudly through the room. “Ha! Just look at my desk! Do any of us really have a life?”
    “I guess not.” Natalie chucked softly. “Maybe I’m really feeling sorry for myself. Here I am, another not-so-proud member of the DEA divorce club.”
    “Sparky, you did all you could. Don’t blame yourself. It wasn’t your fault.”
    She looked at the floor. “I keep wondering if everything would have worked if I’d been at home more often.”
    “Maybe William should have been a tad more