Ep 9. Sad Professor

After a brief hiatus, "Covert Affairs" returns with an episode titled "Sad Professor". In this episode, Annie learns of a retired CIA agent who has taken up a new life as a university professor. She's tasked with investigating whether he's gone rogue and is working with a dangerous arms dealer.

Annie immediately begins to investigate the professor, but he seems like a kind and gentle soul, devoted to his students and work. She enrolls in his course and begins to dig deeper, but comes up empty-handed. Despite her lack of success, her boss tells her to keep at it – he believes this professor is hiding something.

Annie enlists the help of Auggie, a disabled CIA agent who's an expert in surveillance. Together, they set up shop in a nearby building and watch as the professor goes about his day. They find nothing suspicious, but Auggie finally spots something – the professor has a helicopter landing pad on his property.

Annie's boss tells her to investigate the helicopter and find out where it's going. Annie follows the helicopter to a private airstrip on the outskirts of town, where it's loaded with crates of weapons. The arms dealer arrives, and Annie secretly photographs him. She also learns that the professor's daughter is in danger – the arms dealer is holding her hostage and has demanded the professor do his bidding.

Annie confronts the professor and tells him what she's discovered. The professor denies any wrongdoing, insisting that he's being blackmailed by the arms dealer. He knew Annie was onto him and was relieved that she found out before it was too late.

Together, they come up with a plan to retrieve the daughter and stop the arms dealer. They enlist the help of Auggie and other CIA agents, who storm the airstrip and rescue the daughter. Although the arms dealer escapes, the professor is lauded as a hero for his bravery in facing up to the criminals in his past.

In the end, Annie and the professor part ways as friends, with the professor continuing his career as a university professor. But Annie knows that not all retired CIA agents are as benign as the professor. She's learned that danger can lurk anywhere, especially in the seemingly ordinary lives of those around her.