The Recruit (25 page)

‘What gave you that impression?’ said Jaz taking her finger out of her mouth and away from her chomping teeth. ‘I can’t help it; it’s just all so bizarre.’

‘We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. Just say the word, Jaz and I’ll take you home.’

One look at the concern on Ryan’s face filled her with an unknown strength.

‘No, I need to know more.’

‘Don’t worry, you’ll be fine, James is great.’

Jaz breathed in deeply as she watched the cars pass by. Before long, they had parked in an underground car park and were heading to a set of doors.

They got into an ordinary elevator, no secret codes or eye-scan stuff. Jaz was a little disappointed as she adjusted her school bag on her shoulder.

The doors parted and they stepped into a foyer and walked towards the right, down a corridor to a desk, MTG Agencies in bold print on the wall behind it. The pretty receptionist saw Ryan and nodded him through. Jaz could hear the door they were walking to click. The receptionist must have unlocked it.

‘You know her well?’ Jaz asked curiously.

Ryan smiled as he put his hand on her back to direct her down the corridor. ‘Tina has been here for as long as I have, she knows the deal.’

Ryan stopped outside a door. A James Montenegro sign was stuck on the wood panel, it looked new. A hundred butterflies fluttered and took flight in her belly. She felt like throwing her arms around Ryan and hiding away in his arms. But that was showing weakness, and he praised her for her strength. So she would show him her strong backbone.

Ryan knocked twice then opened the door, poking his head in.

‘Hey, James, we’re here.’

‘Bring her in,’ she heard him say in a smooth warm voice.

She reached forward, her fingers just grazing Ryan’s strong back. The touch was enough to stand her straight and give her courage to stride into the room.

In the large office were shelves and a desk with a flash-looking computer. Slowly she dragged her eyes towards the towering figure in the middle of the room. Tall, lean, dressed in a simple grey suit, her eyes ran up his body. She got to his face. He was blond but she could see the edges tinged with grey, his face clean-shaven and his eyes were blue just like hers.

‘James this is Jasmine…’

‘Jaz,’ she cut in.

‘Jaz, this is James,’ Ryan finished. ‘I’ll leave you two to talk.’

Jaz’s eyes flew to Ryan’s, pleading him not to leave her.

Sensing her discomfort he said, ‘I’ll be just outside the door.’

She nodded and watched him exit before turning back to James.

‘Hello,’ she said awkwardly.

‘Hi, Jaz. Please take a seat.’

She did as he asked and put her bag between her legs.

Instead of sitting at his desk, he sat next to her in the other chair and focused all his attention to her. It was a little unnerving but she figured she was doing the same to him.

‘So you’re the boss.’ Of all the things she wanted to say and ask, she came out with that first. Damn it, where was her head.

‘Yes, like my father and his father before him. A real family affair. I was actually an agent like you, so was my sister. But when my dad got sick I left the field work and came to run the office side of things.’ James glanced away and Jaz felt a sadness wash over him.

‘So there are a few girls that do this job?’

‘Oh yes, Jaz. Some of them are our best agents. My sister was one of them.’ His sadness returned and Jaz picked up on the ‘was’ part. ‘She died but it wasn’t on duty,’ he added.

‘Oh, I’m sorry.’

James smiled. ‘Don’t get me wrong, this can be a dangerous job but so is being in Afghanistan with the army or surfing with sharks.’

‘I hear you.’ Jaz liked this James guy. He was easy to talk to and not full of self-importance. The fact that he sat beside her and not behind the desk reassured her he was different.

James glanced at his watch and then apologised. ‘I’m sorry, Jaz. I don’t have much time as I have an interview. I would love to spend more time talking with you but I don’t want to pressure you either. You understand that in this business we have to keep up appearances, so if you do decide to join us we will have a cover job organised.’

‘Much like Ryan’s?’

‘Yes. He mentioned about the job we could use you for?’ She nodded. ‘Again, we don’t want to pressure you. But Ryan believes you will be a great asset to us and he’s already told me what you did for him. You will be paid well for this job. Also, you know our guru guy Pax?’

‘Oh yes.’ Jaz laughed. ‘It makes so much sense now. He was always disappearing on us.’

‘So you’ve seen our building. There is not much here, we try to keep a paperless trail and in the basement is where the guys train sometimes, but we just try to keep everyone going about their normal lives. We prefer a one-on-one training. Secret is the key here, Jaz. We don’t want to draw unwanted attention so everything is kept low key. If people come through this building it has to be and look like what it is, therefore we don’t have official training rooms. Training is done out on the streets.’

As he stood up, so did Jaz. He held out his hand so she shook it. ‘Thanks for coming by. Any questions you have, you know you can ask Ryan. He’s one of our best. He wouldn’t have brought you to us unless he thought you were something special.’

‘Thanks.’ She didn’t know what else to say.

Jaz picked up her bag and headed for the door as James followed.

‘Bye,’ she said turning the knob. Ryan was waiting for her on the other side, just like he said. She felt relieved and safe.

‘Bye, Jaz.’ James watched her leave before calling in a boy that was also sitting by the door. He looked no older than Jaz.

‘Who was that boy?’ Jaz asked Ryan as they headed to the elevator.

‘A recruit who has said yes to joining; now he’s off to his interview.’

‘Really, so if I said yes I’d still have to do this interview too?’ she asked as they rode the elevator down. Ryan nodded. ‘Would it be with James?’

‘Yes, and maybe the group commander. I could be sitting in too if you wanted.’

Yeah, she would want that. Jaz realised her thoughts were leaning towards accepting. She knew deep down she wanted to, but on the surface, she was scared. Scared to say goodbye to the simple schoolgirl and hello to an agent who was trained to kill if needed. But what else was she going to do with her life? The Ring? Not now, not when she knew about stuff like this. Meeting Ryan had changed her, that’s for sure.

They had the quietest trip back, and she didn’t even realise that Ryan was dropping her off at The Ring.

‘I’ll see you tomorrow before I leave, okay,’ said Ryan. His eyes again held her in a spell.

‘Cool, I’ll see you at ten. You can have my answer then.’ She gave him the address to where the ball was being held down by the river and climbed out.

She watched him drive off and wondered what she’d be thinking about if Ryan had never stepped foot into The Ring.

Turning around she went to find Pax. She couldn’t give Ryan her answer until she’d talked to Pax. She couldn’t talk to Anna, or even her mum about her future, but she could talk openly with Pax. His opinion counted.

Bags was down the back, busy giving lessons to a woman in her thirties. She could hear his deep voice cheering the lady with each punch. Her jabs were real sloppy. She hoped Bags didn’t push her too hard or else she might not come back.

Jaz walked into Pax’s office and found him sitting at his computer. He looked up as she shut the door. Pax sighed heavily and leant back in his chair. ‘I guessed this was coming.’

Jaz sat on the desk in front of him. ‘Do you hate Ryan?’ she asked. ‘For telling me about this stuff?’ she said waving her hand. She couldn’t bring herself to mention the agency out loud to Pax just yet.

Pax leant forward and held her hand. ‘Jaz, I don’t hate Ryan. He’s a terrific guy and one I’d want around in a tricky situation. What I don’t like is that he found you. You are my little angel. You and Anna are both my girls, have been since day dot. It was a rude shock to come back and find you had been dragged into my world. It’s not an easy life. Ryan is living proof of that. He is still coming to terms with Chris’ death and I would hate for you to go through that.’

‘I know you would, Pax. But people die all the time from accidents. At least Chris was doing something he believed in.’ Jaz squeezed his hand. ‘I don’t like that I’d have to lie to everyone I love, just as you have done to us. I can’t imagine that it’s easy.’ The tears brimming in Pax’s eyes agreed. ‘But I can’t see myself doing anything else worthwhile. You know I hate the rich blasé life. You know I’ve always wanted to do something meaningful. Pax, what is more meaningful than trying to save lives?’

Pax sniffed and cleared his throat. ‘You don’t have to tell me Jaz. It’s what I try and do too.’ He smiled up at her. ‘You have grown up so much, I guess it scares me. You are no longer my little angel.’

‘Pax, I will always be your little angel.’ Jaz leant across and hugged him and they stayed like that for ages.

‘How did you come to work for them?’ Jaz leant back so she could memorise Pax’s features, from his wrinkles to the soft kind eyes.

‘I was approached by James’ dad, Louis Jnr. Apparently, they had been watching me from an early age when I started winning some prizes for my computer work. I was a computer nerd, so to be offered something like this, something where I could be helping and saving people without having to leave my comfort zone, it was a once in a lifetime chance.’

‘Have you ever killed anyone?’

‘No. Not directly. But I have helped get the job done. Jaz, our job isn’t to kill people, it’s to make them do the time for their crimes. But sometimes you get caught in the crossfire and it’s either them or you. That’s what Ryan has to deal with, and I guess maybe you too if you decide to join. That’s the part I’m struggling with.’

‘Me taking someone’s life?’ God, Jaz hadn’t really thought about that much. Could she do it? When she was attacked by those guys and if they’d started to hurt or rape her, if she had a gun would she have used it? ‘Hopefully it wouldn’t come to that for me.’ Hopefully she could just do little information gathering jobs and leave the hard core gang infiltration to Ryan and the rest. At least for the first few years.

‘So does this mean you want to do it?’ he asked softly.

‘Yes, I do, but not if you are dead against it, Pax. Coming here is my home and I don’t want it to be strained. I want your blessing and your support.’ Jaz glanced around the office. ‘I like knowing I can come here with you and for this not to be a lie. I know too much already Pax, and I can’t turn a blind eye to what’s going on. Not if I can help save someone. I know I can do this if you are with me. You are one less person I have to lie to. Keeping this from Anna will be hard enough.’

‘I know, Jaz. I know. Just take tonight to really think on it. Please? For me?’

‘Okay.’

After a few silent minutes, Jaz pulled out her wallet and handed over her fake ID to Pax.

‘What is this? Where did you get it?’ His eyes grew wide as he questioned her.

‘Anna takes after you more than she realises. You should really hide your stuff better. Anna is smart and she’ll work out sooner or later that you’re up to something.’

Pax paled slightly. ‘I hope it’s later. My God she’s good.’ He handed back the card.

‘I know. She would be great working alongside you,’ she said with a smile. Although Pax didn’t return it one bit. In fact, he looked a little green.

‘For my sake, I hope you are joking, Jaz. My poor heart couldn’t take much more today.’

‘Well rest easy. I’m going to go for a work-out. I need to clear my head.’

Jaz hugged Pax and he gripped her back tighter than ever. ‘I love you, kiddo.’

‘I love you too, Pax.’

Jaz headed out to the change rooms to put on her work-out gear. She felt so different. No longer naive and young. And as she worked out on the mat she felt like she had a purpose. That finally her life meant something.

‘Oh my God!’ said Anna as she walked into Jaz’s room. ‘What the Hell happened here? Did your mum hire another cleaner?’

‘Ha ha, very funny. You know, my mum said the exact same thing. She even checked my temperature.’

‘I’m not bloody surprised. Wow, you have a nice room, I’d never noticed before,’ laughed Anna as she walked across the clean carpet to the window, where the curtains were drawn open, letting in the dying afternoon light.

Anna spun around and squealed. ‘Can you believe it, the ball’s tonight! I might finally get to second base!’

‘Anna you’re beautiful, you could have been kissed long ago if you’d leave your computer desk,’ Jaz laughed.

Anna frowned. ‘I don’t know how to take that, Jaz. It’s like a backhanded compliment!’ She glanced at her watch. ‘Only a few hours to go, do you wanna see my dress?’

‘Oh, I’d love to,’ said Tasha coming into Jaz’s room. ‘I’ve got the camera fully charged too.’

‘Mum,’ groaned Jaz. ‘Can we not do the overexcited parent thing?’

Tasha walked past Jaz, ignoring her comment and went to Anna’s dress that lay on the bed in its black cover bag. ‘Come on, Darling. Humour your old mother. I never got to go to a ball.’

‘Really? How come Mrs T?’ asked Anna.

Tasha tucked a blonde strand behind her ear, as her face dropped, deep in thought. ‘I was always doing more important things…or so my family told me, but all I wanted to do was be like the other kids and go to a ball.’ Tasha opened the black bag, peeked in at Anna’s dress, and smiled wistfully.

Jaz glanced at her mum, shocked at her words. ‘Your parents wouldn’t let you go?’

‘I wasn’t at a school by then; I’d left after year eleven so I missed out.’ Tasha smiled and quickly hid the hurt.

‘Oh, that’s a shame Mrs T. But now you can experience it through us,’ said Anna. ‘Besides, my mum will be here any minute and all Hell will break loose.’

Tasha laughed and gave Anna a hug. ‘Don’t worry, I’ve got a bottle of wine chilling to keep us occupied while you get ready. We will cry into our wines at how quickly our girls have grown up. Oh, don’t look at me like that Jasmine,’ said Tasha giving Jaz’s cheek a squeeze. ‘Fine, I will leave you both alone.’