I was eleven when Compass recruited me. They took me to boarding school- not East Academy, on the island, but West Preparatory Education Center. Underground, linoleum tiles and white lighting.
The facility wasn't beautiful but I loved it. Being away from a strict Arab family, learning how to detect bombs and interrogate enemies. I was good at it, which was why I was there, but I was even better than the other students.
I was supposed to go into the field at sixteen, but instead, my supervisor put me on the fast track to a leadership position. By nineteen I was an assistant to the head of Operation White Horse and by twenty seven I was running my own operations. Now, at thirty eight, I'm about to be dismissed for the second time this year.
Director Charles steeples her fingers. "Tell me, Agent Baahir, how did you lose five teenagers? Again?"
"There was a mix up in the computer system. Ahmed and Ossey should never have-"
"A mix up? We have the best systems in the world."
"Yes, I know. I've talked to the technicians" who will shortly be very, very fired "and they're trying to understand how it happened."
The Director doesn't say anything for a long moment. Then,
"And the helicopter?"
"Sakaki can pilot."
"But how did she get the helicopter?"
"I'm not sure."
Her eyes are those of a hawk. Vicious ambition contained by the knowledge that meals come after the hunt. "You do realize, Baahir, that this must have been an inside job."
"I do."
"It was not, of course, your job."
"It was not."
"Was it Justin's?"
"I will investigate the matter."
"If Justin tried to undermine Compass by releasing his former students, I trust that you were not fool enough to aid him."
"Director Charles," I say. My voice is as soft as her's was. "You should know that Justin is the last person I would help."
Hawk eyes zone in on my face. "You hate him so much? Even after all these years?"
"Yes," I say, and she nods.
I don't want to talk to Justin but it's the most reliable way to get accurate information. I find him in the exercise room on our floor, harassing a punching bag. His knuckles, ungloved and unwrapped, are bloody.
"Your students used to train barehanded."
Uppercut, against the bag. Jab, strike, double jab, cross hook. I never cared for fighting.
"They didn't bleed."
He switches to kicks. Low, middle, high. Other leg. Low, middle, high. Step out, fists up, uppercut.
"Justin."
He steps out again and I slip between him and his target. His eyes blaze as if he's going to lash out anyway, but I know he won't.
"Charles thinks it was me." The growl forms a statement, not a question.
"You were the only teacher they liked," I say.
"They were my mission. From Compass."
"I know you're a cold-hearted bastard, but the Director believes you might be sympathetic towards your students."
"I wouldn't hurt Jamari."
"I fail to see how Jamari plays any role in this."
He gazes at me, steadily, then turns and snatches a water bottle from the floor.
"Finger streaks of blood on her office walls. Maria missing. You know what happened just as well as I do."
"Maria might have broken from hypnosis and tortured Jamari for the key codes, but there is no possibility that she managed to break the other four free as well."
"She would if she had help."
"I believe that was the Director's point."
"Isn't Kyle missing too?"
That's just like Justin. Blaming Kyle.
"Charles thinks you smuggled him out also."
"You don't."
"No. You've done less for him than you have for Jamari."
"Enough." He glowers at me. "Put your personal bias aside for one moment and think, Baahir. I don't have the capability to frustrate the computer system, access the helicopter pad, or clear the cameras in Jamari's office. I couldn't have done this."
"You have friends-"
"Not anymore. Not since school."
"That's rubbish. We both know-"
"Have you not been paying attention? I've been alone for twenty years, thanks to you."
"You deserve it."
"Maybe. But you've been alone for longer."
He pulls a towel around his neck and moves to the door. "Tell Charles it wasn't me. And while you're at it, wake up."