The Mission (3 page)

‘It can’t have been that bad,’ laughed Pax.

‘Oh, it was. You know Dad, he was loving it.’ Anna rolled her eyes. ‘Now I know why my brother went off to an American college instead of staying here for uni.’ Anna’s smile faltered. She missed her older brother, Jeff. He’d left nearly two years ago and his visits home were few and far between. ‘What did you guys get up too?’

‘Um, well we just did some stuff in the gym and then watched a movie,’ said Jaz.

‘You wanna hang out today for a bit?’

‘Oh, I’m busy this morning, but we can do something after lunch?’

‘Yeah, okay. I think Ricky was going to call today so I’ll let you know.’

‘How is the Rickster?’ Jaz asked. Anna had gone with him to the ball and now they were dating, which annoyed her a little as Anna was with him a lot but, then again, it gave her freedom to pursue her other pastime, with the Agency.

‘Great. He’s really nice. His folks are cool. He’s not stuck-up and he’s smart.’

And boring, thought Jaz.

‘I’m glad you’re happy, sweet pea,’ said Pax, whose colour had returned, but he still didn’t reach for a pastry.

‘I am, thanks, Pax. So Jazzy, what’s got you busy this morning? Hot date? Is Ryan back?’

Jaz shot Anna glances. She did not need Pax hearing about her desires for Ryan. He’d hit the roof. ‘Oh no, haven’t heard from him,’ she lied. ‘But I am off to a job interview.’

‘What?’ Anna glanced between Pax and Jaz. ‘Is she for real?’

Pax smiled and reached for his coffee, his hand shaking slightly. ‘Yes, Jaz is going for a job.’

‘Why?’ Anna screwed her face up. ‘Isn’t your job here at The Ring?’

Jaz laughed. ‘Anna, this is a love job. I want a job that is going to pay me money. Mum refuses to buy me a car, or even lend me the money, so I’m going to get a job and buy my own bloody car. She can’t stop me then.’

Anna’s eyes lit up. ‘Cool. You should get something awesome like Taylor’s Mustang.’ She brushed some pastry crumbs from her lips. ‘Maybe I should get a job. Mum and Dad have been talking about getting me a little beep beep Barina. I would just die in one of those. Taylor wouldn’t get in it,’ she said with a chuckle.

‘Anna, do you know how much that Mustang cost? I’ll be lucky if I can get a second-hand clapped-out Barina!’

‘You’ll just have to work longer. What’s this job?’

Pax reached for the sheet of paper he’d printed out this morning. ‘She’ll be an office girl. One of my mate’s mentioned they had a position going.’ Pax handed Anna the fake job application at MTG Agency.

‘Aw cool. What hours do you have to do?’ said Anna.

‘After school for a few hours and some weekends.’

Anna’s face dropped. ‘Life’s about to get very sucky.’

‘Yep. That’s the problem with growing up.’ Jaz checked her watch and then sighed. ‘Speaking of which, I better go and get ready. Until I get my car, I’ll have to take the bus into the city.’

Jaz finished her coffee, got up and headed back to her room to get dressed. Lying to Anna wasn’t easy; well, it came easily, but it just left a great big ball of twisted guilt in her guts that was hard to deal with. Would it get easier? She’d have to ask Pax how he had handled his secrets all these years.

Jaz got off the bus in the city and only had to walk a block to the MTG office. Pax had given her the address again, but she remembered from the last time Ryan had taken her in to meet with James, who was the big boss guy. This time around, though, she didn’t have Ryan for comfort. This time she was going in alone. And this time she wouldn’t be afraid.

She tilted her head back as she stood outside the tall building. The noise of the city drowned away to a hum. It looked just like the other high-rises around, windows and steel. MTG didn’t own the whole building, just the bottom two floors, as far as she knew. Someone walked past her and entered the building. He wore a suit, and Jaz wondered if he was an agent or just a guy that worked on the fourth floor.

With a deep breath, she walked through the automated doors. Two elevators were front and centre, with steps on the left, but Jaz knew to walk around to the right and head down a passageway to the front office of MTG. This time it was a different woman at the reception desk.

‘Hi, can I help you?’ she asked. Her face was covered with make-up, but it only accentuated her wrinkles. Jaz preferred this fifty-something lady to the last younger, prettier one who’d made goo-goo eyes at Ryan.

‘Yes, my name is Jasmine Thomas and I’m here for my appointment.’ Jaz wasn’t sure how much information to give her. Did she know what the MTG Agency did? Jaz tried to imagine this older lady knowing about all the operations and missions. Then she thought of Pax. Maybe this lady was one of the originals; maybe she even knows Pax.

‘Sure, take a seat.’ She gestured to the four red chairs on the opposite wall.

Jaz sat and tried to smooth her black pants straight. She’d dressed up as if she was going to a real interview, nice pants and a blue silk cap sleeved top. But it just made her feel more uncomfortable with her lie. In her bag she carried a folder with her résumé. Just in case.

‘Mr Montenegro, Jasmine is here.’ The receptionist’s voice was clear and professional. She hung up the phone and gestured to Jaz. ‘You can go in now. Second door on the right,’ she said with a smile.

Jaz heard the door unlock as she got close, pushed her way through the heavy door and came to James’s door. She pulled her shoulders back and breathed in before knocking.

‘Come in.’

Inside the familiar office, she found him sitting behind his big desk.

‘Hello, again,’ she said.

James waved her to a seat by his desk. ‘Hi, Jaz? Jasmine?’ he asked.

‘Jaz is fine.’

‘Great. It’s good to see you again. We have lots to discuss today, and a few forms to sign as well.’ James smiled, his blue eyes instantly calming her and making her feel at ease.

‘I’m ready.’

‘I’m sure you are. We’ve never had anyone like you before, Jaz. Yes, we get kids as young as you, like Ryan was, for example, but they never come ready to go into the field, if you know what I mean. Ryan is convinced you can handle yourself and believes you have quickly picked up the techniques he’s taught you already.’

Jaz thought back to the time Ryan had taught her how to observe and to follow someone. ‘Yes, he’s a good teacher.’ Amongst other things, she thought to herself. It warmed her to know Ryan had faith. He believed in her ability and knew she wanted to make a difference. He knew her well.

‘Normally we wouldn’t have given you a mission, but you open up a perfect opportunity to connect with this family, and Ryan backs you all the way. Marcus is around your age and you can easily gather information from him and his family without too much danger.’

‘So that’s all you will need me to do. Befriend him, find out personal info, get access into his house and have a look around?’

James leant back into his chair and smiled. His dark blue suit brought out his eyes and blond hair. ‘It seems you have a good handle on what’s expected. I’m impressed.’

Jaz tried not to grin like fool at his praise. ‘I’m getting the idea. Ryan is helping with that, and last night’s job helped.’

‘Ah yes, the casino. You may feel like a bit of jewellery, like you’re just for show, but do know, Jaz, that you are playing an important part.’ He opened the folder on his desk. ‘Janice has given me all this paperwork for you to fill out.’ James began to pass over sheets and a pen. ‘We have set up a bank account which you will have access to, and where your payments will go. And yes, you can claim all your expenses relating to the missions.’

Funny, that was the last thing on Jaz’s mind as she started filling in the sheets. ‘Is Janice the one at the front desk?’ she asked.

James nodded. ‘There are a few that work the desk, and they are all aware of who the agents or operatives are. But the less discussed the better, if you know what I mean. Except with Pax, of course. Now, we have worked out a safe drop for you while you are doing this mission. We can’t have you being followed back to MTG, so your sister’s grave will be your drop.’

Jaz jerked up. ‘You know about my sister?’ she asked.

He said, by way of answer, ‘Rebecca, your brother’s twin, died at eighteen months from SIDS and is at the Karrakatta Cemetery. You will put any information you find inside flowers, and we will do the same if we need to talk to you. Use the code Ryan showed you, but we will use this to communicate.’ James picked up two books off the floor; both were Richelle Mead’s
Vampire Academy
. ‘I’m told this is popular with kids your age.’

‘Yep, I’ve read the whole series twice already.’

‘Good. It won’t look out of place in your bag or room. This folder is what we have on Marcus Sinclair. His parents, Carl and Diane, run the best art dealership in town, and we think they may be using it as a way to smuggle drugs in and out of the state.’ James continued on, giving her details she’d need, like his address, his favourite spots and what he liked doing.

‘You’ve had someone watching him already?’

‘Yes, we’ve had eyes on the family. Once we knew you were a possibility for this mission, one of our guys, Jaxon, collected some info for you.’ James slid across another sheet. ‘Read this, memorise it, as you can’t take it. Marcus likes to surf so you could try and run into him at the beach or — ’ James waved his hands around. ‘I’ll leave it up to you, but if you need some guidance, try Ryan. Pax doesn’t do field work, he’s more behind the scenes, so Ryan can help you when he’s back. But if something’s up then send us a message, and I can have Jaxon meet with you if Ryan isn’t around.’ He paused, waiting for her nod before continuing. ‘There is no time limit on this, Jaz, just take it slow, be cautious and just treat it like a normal friendship. Don’t pump him for information, let it flow naturally. He’s just a normal kid.’

‘Got it,’ said Jaz, but she wondered if she was really capable of this mission. There were a lot of lies and secrets and opportunities to be caught out.

By the time she’d filled in the forms, signed her life away and taken in all that she could on Marcus and his family, her head felt like an overwatered melon about to burst. ‘Thanks, James,’ she said as she tucked the
Vampire Academy
book into her bag.

‘No, it is I who should be thanking you, Jaz. My grandad started this Agency up years ago to rid the world of criminals who slipped through the system. The ones who have money and graces to hide behind, but are really spreading drugs and killing people.’ His eyes burned with passion.

James believed in the cause and that was enough for her. ‘I’ll let you know when I make contact,’ she said before heading to the door. Jaz glanced around James’s neat, warm office and wondered when she’d be back.

‘Be careful,’ said James, as he followed her to the door.

They shared a glance. She could tell he was worried about her age and worried about her ability to complete the mission. He looked like a businessman upfront, but his eyes gave him away. She could see how big his heart was and she liked him for it.

‘I will. Bye.’

As she walked away from his office, she felt a weird sensation, as if she’d just become a different person. In reality, she’d just found herself.

Jaz glanced at her watch, almost counting down the seconds as she waited for the siren. One minute left with her short, bald maths teacher and his constant squinting eye. One minute left of having Minka behind her throwing bits of paper at her back and one minute left of the bad body odour smell coming from the guy on her right. Hadn’t he heard of deodorant?

Finally, the siren for lunch went and the sound of scraping chairs filled the room. Jaz threw her books in her bag and headed to the cafeteria.

‘Hey, Jazzy, how was maths?’ said Anna, who jogged to catch up. Her hair in a neat strawberry-blonde braid.

Just seeing her best friend put her at ease. Together they grabbed some lunch and sat at their usual table by the big window. It wasn’t where the popular people sat, but that just made Jaz like it ten times better, and at least they could see the sky.

‘Hey, Taylor,’ said Jaz as she watched her other best friend sit next to her. His plate loaded up with sandwiches and fruit.

‘Hey, ladies, how’s it goin’?’

Taylor gave his gorgeous celebrity smile, the same one Jaz had thought she’d loved for years. Turns out, she didn’t realise what real love was until she met Ryan. It made what she felt for Taylor obsolete. She still loved Taylor, he was her best friend and he was still handsome and popular but she didn’t want to date him. And when he’d kissed her at the ball, it had totally proved they were meant to be just friends.

‘Not too bad. Wanna hang out after school?’ Jaz asked, as she glanced at Anna who was scoffing her food down like a starving bear.

‘So-rry,’ Anna mumbled as she tried to swallow her big bite. ‘Ricky’s asked me to hang out with him. As a matter of fact, I’ve gotta go meet him in the library now.’

Anna shoved the last bit of her sandwich into her mouth, put her apple in her pocket and picked up her tray. Taylor had stopped unwrapping his lunch to watch Anna, who shrugged and waved goodbye to them as she left.

‘And that was Anna Johnson,’ said Jaz, a little disappointed. She turned to Taylor. ‘You know I’m happy she’s happy, but geez it would be nice if Ricky could share.’

Taylor grunted a reply and pushed his tray away from him, leaving his lunch half unwrapped and picking up his can of Coke.

‘So? You and me after school? You doing anything?’ she asked.

‘No.’ Taylor was staring into his Coke as if it held the answers to the world. His hair flopped forward and his shoulders were slightly hunched. Suddenly he looked across to her, his face serious. ‘Hey, Jaz. If I ever get a girlfriend and end up like that, you will tell me that I’m being an arse, neglecting my friends. Won’t you? Seriously, how hard would it be to take ten minutes out to eat with us?’

‘Yeah, I know. But Anna’s never had a real boyfriend before. She’s still figuring things out. The novelty will wear off at some stage and she’ll come back to us.’ Taylor chewed at his lip. ‘Come on. How about we hit the firing range after school and see if I can beat your arse,’ she said, hoping to cheer him up. It worked. A spark flitted across Taylor’s blue eyes.