This windowless office, with its bronze light fixtures and dark wooden desk, was a whole lot more intimidating the last time I was here. Then again, giving proof that I killed my mentor and ‘wiped’ the memories of their housemates was hardly a simple process. I’ve never lied to a superior before and I hope I never have to again. But I’m hardly about to tarnish Jamie’s legacy. That’s why I’m here: to make sure that nobody else has their personal lives ruined by spies in the network.

“You worked under Jamie?” my boss asks.

I nod. “I was their assistant when the issue arose.”

“Ah yes, their termination,” he pauses. “That was most unfortunate.”

“That’s not the issue I’m referring to. I’m talking about the information leaks in the network that compromised a capture just last week.”

He laughs. “That’s hardly your concern Kirra. Let the right people take care of it.”

“We’ll go into all-out war with that organisation if we don’t do something about this. The ‘right people’ aren’t doing their jobs properly. Let me investigate this. I’ve got the training and experience in getting answers out of people who don’t want to talk.”

“You were an assistant a month ago! Don’t let your small promotion to specialist go to your head. Nobody’s about to take orders from you.”

“That’s exactly why I’m perfect for this. Nobody will look twice at me while I take note of their activities and check it against their schedules. I could even infiltrate that organisation and follow the information trails they get from us.”

He leans into his chair, studying me with light brown eyes. “You understand that if caught, you’ll have to immediately renounce any affiliation with the network.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And that if you fail to identify and prevent further leaks that you’ll be terminated.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Yet you still want to undertake this assignment.” I go to answer, but he continues. “Of course you do. It’s no surprise now why Jamie took you under their wing. You’ve got initiative. That’s surprisingly rare in our line of work.” He studies me silently, then leans forward. “Alright, let me think about it. In the meantime resume your duties as normal.”

“Of course, sir.” I move to leave.

“Oh and Kirra, if I don’t get back to you on this within the month, take that as a yes. But if I tell you no, then you have to let this go. If you don’t then you’ll be treated as a traitor. And you know what we do to traitors.”

“Yes. Sir.”

*

I close my locker as five people walk in, the first talking particularly loudly. “Turns out she’s only seven, but she managed to break out of that high security prison before the alarm even went off. Everyone recruiting in the network is looking for her.”

“Heard that pesky organisation is lookin’ too,” Valery says, the only recognisable face in the group. She notices me. “Evening Kirra, how’re you?”

“Surprised they haven’t terminated you for incompetence,” I reply. “So nothing new.”

“Bit of a loose tongue, this one. She’s still sore over Jamie’s termination. Can’t really blame her though. It’s not often the best of the best chooses you to assist then goes ahead and compromises themselves.”

The others laugh. “I heard they didn’t even sign up on purpose. What kind of idiot does that?”

I bite my tongue. It’d be great if I could tell them all exactly how hard of a worker Jamie was, but if I get this investigation assignment, then I’ll have to be on good terms with as many people as possible. I can’t act like a specialist; that’ll be too intimidating. I’ll have to be an assistant again: just some face behind a clipboard and an ever present helping hand. So I don’t start a fight in the locker room; I don’t even curl my hand into a fist. I simply smile at the group and walk past them.

They give up making cheap jabs about Jamie and continue gossiping about some kid who is unknowingly popular with criminals across the country. But nobody knows her face, so she’ll blend into her surroundings without even trying... Which is exactly the kind of person that would make a great spy. I’m not supposed to start until I get the okay, but if I can at least find this kid and keep tabs on her while waiting, then maybe I’ll have a way into the organisation without directly risking my own skin. The kid could get information behind enemy lines while I stay here and investigate the network.

This could work. I just need to figure out a good enough incentive for her and then I’ll work from there. Those idiots said she escaped from a high security prison. That definitely would’ve made the news. I’ll figure out which prison when I get home and see if I can get a conversation with anyone who knew her. So long as I don’t arouse any suspicions, criminal and law enforcement alike, I’ll be fine. I’ll need a good cover. How about independent journalist? That’ll work nicely.

Don’t worry Jamie. I’ll find who did this to you soon enough.