Page 74 of Red Marked

“There’s one other thing. I’ve scheduled the final interviews for the last seat on my team. I will interview all three candidates during my break that’s coming up. I’ll conduct them in Mistveil City and pick one. I’m pretty sure that one of the candidates will be a good fit.”

He takes his glasses off, folds them, and puts them on the files. “I’d like the opportunity to meet the candidates myself before you decide.”

What the hell?!

Since when?

“With respect, Alastair, no.” I keep my tone even. “Recruitment into security is my department, which makes it my call. It’s my team’s lives on the line out there every day. I know what I’m looking for in a candidate. I’ve lived and breathed this type of work for years.”

“This is my facility. Every hire⁠—”

“Every hire on the security team goes through me. That was the agreement when you brought me in.” I put my hands in my pockets. “I would never walk into your clinic and sit in on your sessions with the ferals. I wouldn’t second-guess your treatment plans. Nor would I be involved in your discharge decisions, and I never will, because that’s your department and you’re the expert. This one is mine.”

He looks at me for a moment, his mind working overtime. Then he picks his glasses back up and puts them on.

“Choose wisely, then. They need to be on a six-month probation, like everyone else. I will want to meet them before they go out with you. Like everyone else, they will be closely monitored in the coming period.”

“Of course.” I nod. “Two of the three can start immediately, and those are my frontrunners. But who knows?” I shrug. “Interviews have surprised me before.”

“When do you leave?”

“Day after tomorrow. Atlas will take over as head of the team while I’m gone. He has the roster and the flight schedule. He is quite capable. We won’t make any procedural changes until I return.”

“It sounds like you have everything in hand.” He pulls the top file off the stack, already moving on. “Bring me a feral or two today, will you?”

“Like I said, I’ll do my best. Have a good day.”

“Be safe out there.” He looks down as he works.

“Thank you.”

I’m out of his office before he can think of anything to add.

The morning air outside the admin block is pleasantly cool. It won’t be long before it turns hot as hell. There are storm clouds gathering in the distance. We might not get to go out there again this afternoon. Hopefully we bag a male this morning and get Pryce off our backs.

Atlas is waiting on the pad when I get there, arms folded, and he gives me the weirdest grin. It’s so wide his teeth show. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile like that. It doesn’t work on a face like his.

“What?” I ask.

“Sleep well?” Even his voice is weird.

I know he’s picturing Star and me packed into my small apartment.

“Yes, like a fucking baby.”

“Sucking on some tit.” He laughs like it’s the funniest joke.

I give him a dirty look.

“Fuck right off. Let’s get to work, shall we?”

I wish everyone would grow the fuck up already.

I may have brought a female home, but it isn’t like that. This is serious. Lives are on the line.

Holy shit!

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