Laynie Portland, Spy Rising—The Prequel

No one is born a spy. Every intelligence operative is recruited, in one fashion or another, and trained for the difficult and often terrible work needed to ensure that nations purporting to stand for freedom triumph over ideologies seeking to dominate and enslave.The year is 1977; the Cold War is intensifying. Helena Portland—Laynie to her family—is set to graduate from the University of Washington when recruiters from Marstead International invite her to dinner and an informal interview. Laynie is flattered: Marstead International is a technology and aeronautics firm with a global presence and reputation.In reality? Marstead International is the front for joint U.S./NATO covert operations.Not far into the dinner conversation, the recruiters make their pitch: "We have offices around the world, Miss Portland, and we actively seek college graduates with the right mix of aptitude and skills to work and grow within our worldwide market. Actually,...