Girl discovers father is a Russian spy - forced to go into hiding /s

[Brin]

Hi, looking for some help finding this book.

I first read this book in the 90s but it may have been slightly older (maybe 80s but no earlier I don't think).

It is about a 14 year old girl being raised by her single father (mother died when she was little). The girl is now 14 (it is her birthday at the beginning of the book) and her father gives her money to buy her own presents.

However, she discovers her father is actually a spy (view spoiler)[(has been selling secrets to Russia). He also stole money from somewhere (details are a bit fuzzier here!!). (hide spoiler)]

The girl and her father are forced to change identities when some bad guys come after her father (I think the main bad guy was described as being an albino and was some sort of hitman). The girl gets taken and put in foster care but the hitman who is after her father finds her and she is forced to run. Girl and father reunite (girl changes her hair etc so avoid further attention) but this reunion is short-lived.

The girl meets a boy with motorcycle (they get quite flirty) and he gives it to her so she can make a getaway (she is pretending to be 16 so that she can drive it). (view spoiler)[The novel ends with the girl separated from her father but he has given her the location of the stolen money which she intends to find. She is hopeful that she will meet up again with her father once she has gotten the money. (hide spoiler)]

I have tried to find this book again with little success. I think the cover showed a curly-haired girl on the cover but could be wrong!

Thanks. :)

[Andria]

This Stranger, My Father fits some of the things you've described, but I *think* they're being chased by the Feds, not a hitman.

[Brin]

Thanks Andria - that is the book I was looking for (the title is familiar now that I have heard it). I probably have some of the plot mixed up as was a very long time ago that I read it!

Thanks very much for your help. :)