The Recruit: A Taskforce Story Read Online Free PDF Page A

conversation. Decoy said, “Well, that’s just it. We will, but we were hoping you’d tell us something about her. Like what’s she doing here? Is she friendly? Will she want to help us? Just something before we cold-call her.”
    She said, “What’s her name?”
    “Linda Devoire. We think she’s American.”
    “And you want me to check her out? Unofficially?”
    “No. It’s official. Well, sort of. We work for the embassy. We just want to make this painless.”
    The waitress came over, and she said, “Get me a salad. I have to use the ladies’ room.”
    She started to walk away, then turned, saying, “Watch my purse.”
    They ordered, and as soon as the waitress was out of earshot, Knuckles said, “What the hell is she wearing? She doesn’t work for the embassy. They’d never let her in the door wearing that. She looks like she’s out leading a bunch of granola eaters on an expedition. Who is she?”
    “She’s who she says she is. A state department flunky. How do you know the dress code?”
    “I’ve been in plenty of embassies, and they don’t wear that. Especially if they deal in public relations, working with civilians. Maybe in the mail room, but not with her job.”
    Decoy began digging through her purse, and Knuckles rose up, “What are you doing?”
    “Getting her damn name. I mean, really, she doesn’t give you her name and you let that slide?”
    He ripped open a wallet, read the name, and said, “I was right! Carly! A
C
and a
Y
!”
    Knuckles saw a reflection from the glass of the door and said, “She’s coming. Get it back.”
    Decoy shoved the wallet home and said, “What now?”
    “Now I have some questions.”
    The woman sat back down and Knuckles said, “I’ve worked in a few embassies but have never seen the dress code you’re wearing. What do you do?”
    She tossed her hair and said, “I’m on the street a lot. I have to deal with locals. I dress the part.”
    “Deal with locals? I thought you worked in the Consular Section? Dealing with AMCITS?”
    She took a sip of water, saying, “Yeah, that too. It’s a wide portfolio.”
    Knuckles had a nagging sense he was being played. He said, “Okay, well, can you help us with the name?”
    She looked at her watch and said, “Oh, man. I lost track of time. I forgot about a meeting I have to attend. You guys want me to pay for the meal? I can’t wait for it.”
    Decoy looked completely lost, trying to come up with something to say, but failing. Knuckles said, “No. We got it. Thanks for the lack of help.”
    She stood up, scrunched her nose, and said, “Well, it wasn’t a complete waste. I think jerk boy here finally figured out my name.”
    She walked away with a long gait, eating up the ground, her dress billowing around her steps. She reached the door and said, “We still on for tomorrow night?”
    Decoy stuttered, “Yeah . . . yes, of course.”
    She said, “I’ll call about the name.”
    And was gone.
    Knuckles said, “What. The. Fuck. You are worthless. You embarrass even me.”
    Sheepishly, Decoy said, “She’s going to run the name. We got what we wanted.”
    Knuckles watched the door slowly close and said, “Yeah, she might. I have to admit, I like her. Reminds me of someone else I worked with in the Taskforce.”
    Wanting the accolades, Decoy said, “Who?”
    Knuckles put the coffee cup down and said, “Nobody you want to meet. You try your man-whore ways with her, and her friend will rip you apart.”

6
    Decoy came out of the bathroom and heard, “Sir, you sure about this? I’m on an orientation deployment. This is pushing it big-time.”
    Decoy paused, not wanting Knuckles to see him, unsure of what was being discussed. He heard, “Yeah, Decoy’s solid. Like I said he was. But this is a little much. We don’t even have a team. It’s now four o’clock in the afternoon here. Not a lot of time to plan.”
    Decoy slid back inside the door, stretching his ear. “Yeah, yeah, we have the kit. I