Page 58 of One Step Sideways

“This is incredible,” he enthused.

I decided to push things a little further. “I was thinking a bit more about what you said. We know that Diaz is prohibited from carrying a firearm, especially with his latest incident, and that would automatically negate enlistment. Do you think that the government will offer enlistment in return for forgiving crimes? Wiping his slate if he served however many years? He’s not exactly young for a first enlistment either, even if the firearm didn’t create an impossible barrier.”

Connaught’s gaze dropped to the tablet again. “There are many governments still using enlistment as an alternative to incarceration.”

“But the US?” I said, adding the right amount of incredulity. “That must violate so many human rights laws. I can see the news outlets going to town on something like this.” It wasn’t exactly a threat. I was gambling. I knew I was.

Connaught took a seat at the desk, so I was left with either a chair that a patient would use or to remain standing. It was a power move and for the first time in three days, I wished by all that was holy that I had Sadie with me. The longer this went on, the worse it would get.

“Danny Robbins,” he mused, naming the persona we’d created for this. “Do you know why I chose you for this?”

I wanted to say because no one else wanted it, but apart from shooting myself in the foot, it was untrue. There might be a distinct lack of C.O.s applying, but medics were a different thing. There had been five other applicants, but I’d made sure my resume was what he went for.

“I assume my qualifications, sir.” I replied, trying not to seem excited as to where this might go.

“Your qualifications are exemplary,” he confirmed. “But there were two other medics with more combat experience. One that had a specialization in neurosciences as a nurse before he joined the military. That would have been very interesting.”

My heart thumped in my chest.

“Do you want to know why I picked you?”

I knew, but I wanted it confirmed.

“Because of your added backstory,” he said. “Your gambling and debt problems, which I don’t believe for one second. Ever heard of the phrasegilding the lily?”

My words—any words—stuck in my throat.

“So, what I really want to know is…why are you here?”

Chapter Twenty-five

Danny

I laughed. Maybe I’d have made a better actor than a medic. “You’re right,” I said. “Well, not about the gambling,” I said ruefully and shrugged trying to double down. “I like a game. Who doesn’t? But I have it under control. I just had a bad month.”

Connaught stayed silent, and I tried not to sweat. He didn’t look convinced, even with me laying out the perfect coercion material. Unless money wasn’t his motive.

“You see, I’ve done my own research.” I swallowed, hating what I was about to admit with every fiber of my being, but if I was right and money wasn’t the motivator, then this was the only other alternative.

The best way to create a cover was by sticking as close to the truth as we could. It was unlikely he would associate Tony’s article with me, but it was possible he would, even with a bad pic and changing my last name from Sullivan to Robbins. The only thing he would never find was my connection to Rawlings Security, and thanks to what I did and placing nominee directors as owners, Diesel had no online connection with it either. And Rawlings was regular enough so long as people didn’t look at both of ours together. “You saw my service record, I’m assuming, but what it didn’t state was that I was captured, along with two others the day before we should have gone home.”

“I’d retired by then,” Connaught said, surprising me, “but I can imagine.”

“I couldn’t have,” I said sincerely. “No one could imagine that hell-hole. But you think you’re indestructible, don’t you? It ruined my life, my career.” I looked him straight in the eye. “And I never want it to happen to anyone else.” Which was all true. Every word.

Connaught eyed me for what seemed like a long time. “So, why are you here in particular?”

“Because you will have the highest concentration of enhanced in the country very shortly, bar the Tampa area, but they don’t have the same incentive yourcollectionhas. All your enhanced are looking for a way out of their shit lives and are ready for something else. And while I’m a basic medic, I’m a superb hacker. I can change any records you need to make this happen, and they will stand up to the best scrutiny.” I held my breath, but immediately realized that was a mistake and breathed evenly as I’d been taught. I could feel the sickening swirl in my gut that Sadie would have responded to.

“Very well,” Connaught said evenly. “Just carry on doing what you’re doing, and we’ll talk some more.” I knew it was a dismissal, but we needed our agenda to be moved up. I didn’t trust Connaught not to simply fire me, and I didn’t want Kane here indefinitely.

“I need access to the pod.”

His eyebrows rose. “I’m afraid—”

“You want them to trust me? I need to get them used to seeing me. Diaz might not have been sentenced yet, but you have at least two that are less than six months away from release. I need to find out what they know.”

“You think they might be hiding an ability?” Connaught looked curious.

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