Meet The Team
After weeksof grueling physical therapy, Grant had two choices: return home to Colorado, or talk to Rusty. Grant chose the latter.
Sitting on a bed in his hotel room in Frankfurt, Grant dialed Rusty. “I gave it a lot of thought. I’m not accepting your offer yet, but I’d like to see what you do and get a feel for the job.”
“No problem. We can do a ride along,” Rusty said. “I’ve got an apartment in case our clients need to keep a low profile. It’s vacant now and it’s yours until you find a place in the city.”
“I appreciate it.”
“How is the leg?”
“Just wait til you see me in action. I told the therapist I don’t care what it takes or how much pain I’m in, just make sure I don’t end up with a limp. It’s not perfect yet, but you wouldn’t notice it.”
“Glad to hear that.”
“I’m flying out tomorrow night. I’ll land at o-nine-hundred.”
“I’ll pick you up,” Rusty said. “I expect some Kinder Eggs as payment.”
“You don’t eat chocolate,” Grant said.
“I don’t. But Kaylin loves them. Don’t disappoint.”
Grant hung up the phone and eyed his suitcase. He couldn’t help but notice the lack of civilian clothing. He would have to shop once he landed in New York. Now honorably discharged, he did not know what the future held. This unnerved him. He wished he had someone to share the anxiety of starting a new chapter with. His thoughts drifted toward Faith again. He hoped she was alive and well somewhere out there. Had she achieved her goal of becoming a doctor? A global pandemic was a dangerous time to work in a hospital; he knew doctors had fallen ill with the Chorivirus all over the world and many had died. He waved the thought from his mind. Now wasn’t the time to be pessimistic. He decided to just go with the flow and hope for the best. No matter the challenges that lay ahead, he would meet them head on.
* * *
Grant feltlike the new kid in grade school being introduced to a classroom full of judgmental peers as Rusty led him into the Redmond Guardian Service building from the back stairwell.
“Stop fidgeting,” Rusty said. “And untuck your shirt. You look like some sort of pinhead.”
“Ok, mom,” Grant said. He pulled out the tail of his shirt, feeling sloppy even as he did it. He hadn’t had much occasion to dress in clothes of his choice outside of his fatigues. He didn’t feel like himself wearing street clothes. He’d tucked his shirt and belted his pants like he was still wearing desert camo and combat boots. He considered Rusty’s new look: fitted t-shirt, expensive jeans. In a line of work that required blending in, Rusty probably knew exactly what he was doing when he put his clothes together for the day. Grant, on the other hand, did feel like a pinhead. At least behind his face mask, no one could see just how nervous he must have looked.
“Morning everyone,” Rusty said. “This is the guy I was telling you about, Grant Rogers. I’m trying to convince him to join the team so act professional and excited today, got it? Alright, starting from the left. That’s Bryce.” Rusty pointed at a young man typing furiously at a computer. “He deals primarily in cyber security issues, things like that.”
Bryce lifted his hand in a wave.
“This is Gayle,” Rusty said. “She’s been with for a few months. Technically she’s my secretary but she basically runs the place.”
“It’s true,” she said, waving. “I’d shake your hand, but…” she shrugged.
“Another time,” Grant said. Handshakes seem to have disappeared from society, all thanks to the Chorivirus.
“I’ll be in my office if you need me,” Gayle said.
“That’s Colt.” Rusty gestured at a man in a pressed button-up shirt. Colt stood up and air-shook Grant’s hand.
“Welcome. I’m glad you decided to come. We’re in need of another bad ass,” Cold said.
“And the one over there that looks like he’s always flexing his muscles is Sawyer.”
“Spot-on description, boss. Welcome, man,” Sawyer said, standing. “How much you bench?”
Grant blinked blankly at Sawyer, the question catching him off guard.
“Sawyer likes to get to know people over ruthless competition. Take it easy Sawyer. The guy just took a grenade and came out intact. He’s still on the mend.”
“That’s exactly why I want to take him on,” Sawyer said. He patted Grant’s chest with the back of his hand. “Guy must be made of steel,” he said, offering his fist for a bump.
