The Mission

by Fiona Palmer

  ‘Yep, I’ve read the whole series twice already.’

  ‘Good. It won’t look out of place in your bag or room. This folder is what we have on Marcus Sinclair. His parents, Carl and Diane, run the best art dealership in town, and we think they may be using it as a way to smuggle drugs in and out of the state.’ James continued on, giving her details she’d need, like his address, his favourite spots and what he liked doing.

  ‘You’ve had someone watching him already?’

  ‘Yes, we’ve had eyes on the family. Once we knew you were a possibility for this mission, one of our guys, Jaxon, collected some info for you.’ James slid across another sheet. ‘Read this, memorise it, as you can’t take it. Marcus likes to surf so you could try and run into him at the beach or — ’ James waved his hands around. ‘I’ll leave it up to you, but if you need some guidance, try Ryan. Pax doesn’t do field work, he’s more behind the scenes, so Ryan can help you when he’s back. But if something’s up then send us a message, and I can have Jaxon meet with you if Ryan isn’t around.’ He paused, waiting for her nod before continuing. ‘There is no time limit on this, Jaz, just take it slow, be cautious and just treat it like a normal friendship. Don’t pump him for information, let it flow naturally. He’s just a normal kid.’

  ‘Got it,’ said Jaz, but she wondered if she was really capable of this mission. There were a lot of lies and secrets and opportunities to be caught out.

  By the time she’d filled in the forms, signed her life away and taken in all that she could on Marcus and his family, her head felt like an overwatered melon about to burst. ‘Thanks, James,’ she said as she tucked the Vampire Academy book into her bag.

  ‘No, it is I who should be thanking you, Jaz. My grandad started this Agency up years ago to rid the world of criminals who slipped through the system. The ones who have money and graces to hide behind, but are really spreading drugs and killing people.’ His eyes burned with passion.

  James believed in the cause and that was enough for her. ‘I’ll let you know when I make contact,’ she said before heading to the door. Jaz glanced around James’s neat, warm office and wondered when she’d be back.

  ‘Be careful,’ said James, as he followed her to the door.

  They shared a glance. She could tell he was worried about her age and worried about her ability to complete the mission. He looked like a businessman upfront, but his eyes gave him away. She could see how big his heart was and she liked him for it.

  ‘I will. Bye.’

  As she walked away from his office, she felt a weird sensation, as if she’d just become a different person. In reality, she’d just found herself.

  Chapter 3

  Jaz glanced at her watch, almost counting down the seconds as she waited for the siren. One minute left with her short, bald maths teacher and his constant squinting eye. One minute left of having Minka behind her throwing bits of paper at her back and one minute left of the bad body odour smell coming from the guy on her right. Hadn’t he heard of deodorant?

  Finally, the siren for lunch went and the sound of scraping chairs filled the room. Jaz threw her books in her bag and headed to the cafeteria.

  ‘Hey, Jazzy, how was maths?’ said Anna, who jogged to catch up. Her hair in a neat strawberry-blonde braid.

  Just seeing her best friend put her at ease. Together they grabbed some lunch and sat at their usual table by the big window. It wasn’t where the popular people sat, but that just made Jaz like it ten times better, and at least they could see the sky.

  ‘Hey, Taylor,’ said Jaz as she watched her other best friend sit next to her. His plate loaded up with sandwiches and fruit.

  ‘Hey, ladies, how’s it goin’?’

  Taylor gave his gorgeous celebrity smile, the same one Jaz had thought she’d loved for years. Turns out, she didn’t realise what real love was until she met Ryan. It made what she felt for Taylor obsolete. She still loved Taylor, he was her best friend and he was still handsome and popular but she didn’t want to date him. And when he’d kissed her at the ball, it had totally proved they were meant to be just friends.

  ‘Not too bad. Wanna hang out after school?’ Jaz asked, as she glanced at Anna who was scoffing her food down like a starving bear.

  ‘So-rry,’ Anna mumbled as she tried to swallow her big bite. ‘Ricky’s asked me to hang out with him. As a matter of fact, I’ve gotta go meet him in the library now.’

  Anna shoved the last bit of her sandwich into her mouth, put her apple in her pocket and picked up her tray. Taylor had stopped unwrapping his lunch to watch Anna, who shrugged and waved goodbye to them as she left.

  ‘And that was Anna Johnson,’ said Jaz, a little disappointed. She turned to Taylor. ‘You know I’m happy she’s happy, but geez it would be nice if Ricky could share.’

  Taylor grunted a reply and pushed his tray away from him, leaving his lunch half unwrapped and picking up his can of Coke.

  ‘So? You and me after school? You doing anything?’ she asked.

  ‘No.’ Taylor was staring into his Coke as if it held the answers to the world. His hair flopped forward and his shoulders were slightly hunched. Suddenly he looked across to her, his face serious. ‘Hey, Jaz. If I ever get a girlfriend and end up like that, you will tell me that I’m being an arse, neglecting my friends. Won’t you? Seriously, how hard would it be to take ten minutes out to eat with us?’

  ‘Yeah, I know. But Anna’s never had a real boyfriend before. She’s still figuring things out. The novelty will wear off at some stage and she’ll come back to us.’ Taylor chewed at his lip. ‘Come on. How about we hit the firing range after school and see if I can beat your arse,’ she said, hoping to cheer him up. It worked. A spark flitted across Taylor’s blue eyes.

  ‘You’re on, Thomas. It’s a date.’

  ‘What! I must be going crazy,’ said Minka, who’d paused by their table.

  Jaz groaned. Minka, a rich spoiled platinum blonde, hated her, and even more so after Jaz saved her a few months back. It was like she was being punished for helping her. But Jaz figured Minka just didn’t like owing anyone any favours. It didn’t help that Minka had always wanted Taylor hanging from her arm, like one of her Gucci bags.

  ‘You two on a date, hilarious,’ Minka added.

  Jaz slid her hand across the table to hold Taylor’s hand. ‘Of course, Minka. Surely you’re not the last to find out?’ said Jaz with a smile.

  Minka swished her hair over her shoulder as she turned and continued on her way. Jaz let out a chuckle and she glanced at Taylor.

  ‘You were just kidding, right?’ he said, his eyebrows raised.

  Jaz squeezed his hand before letting it go. ‘Of course, Tay. I just love watching her squirm. Besides, you know my heart is elsewhere.’

  Taylor sipped his drink before speaking. ‘So how is Ryan. Seen him lately? Does he want to come shooting with us?’

  Now it was her turn to slump in her chair. ‘I wish, Tay. I haven’t seen him for ages. His work keeps him busy, but one day he’ll stop by The Ring and surprise me.’ She hoped for that every day.

  ‘Don’t you text him or call?’ he asked.

  ‘No. He told me not to,’ she said, while trying to think up a lie. ‘He doesn’t think it’s a good idea while I’m still at school.’

  ‘You’re nearly eighteen. The age difference is nothing. Does it worry him?’

  ‘Look at you, Dr Phil. Since when did you become a relationship guru?’ she teased, hoping to shift the topic of conversation.

  ‘Ha, I wish. I know nothing, Jaz. Absolutely nothing.’ He got that faraway look in his eyes again. Jaz was glad he’d stopped talking about Ryan, but felt bad he was upset again.

  ‘Shall we go shoot some hoops? I’ve had enough to eat,’ she said.

  ‘Yeah, let’s go.’

  After school, Jaz found Taylor and together they got into his Mustang. He screeched the tyres out of the school’s parking lot, while Jaz wound down the window to let the air slide throug
h her hair. She saw that same guy with the black sunnies and car watching them again. At first he seemed creepy and she’d been curious, but now she’d seen him so often that he was like a permanent fixture outside their school. She’d since come to the conclusion that he was someone’s dad who had taken a fancy to Taylors Mustang. He moved to his car as they drove away and Jaz turned her attention to her driver.

  ‘Now, now Mr Stewart. You don’t want to attract the attention of the police. What would Daddy say?’ she said with a laugh.

  ‘Nothing,’ he said, before bursting with laughter also. ‘It would probably be the first time my name would be mentioned down at the station. Doubt Dad talks about me to his officers and detectives.’

  ‘Aw come on, Tay. He probably tells them how his son could outshoot all of them.’ That put a smile on Taylor’s face. ‘Oh, I love this old song.’ He cranked up the radio and they sang along to Linkin Park’s The Catalyst.

  Right now, life was perfect. It was a beautiful afternoon, the sun was warm, the breeze was fresh, she was with Taylor and they were singing like they had no care in the world. Only she had lots to worry about. Starting her mission was one of them. For the moment, it was nice just to be a kid.

  When they arrived at the range, which was on the outskirts of the city, they parked near the building that looked like an old clubhouse, aged red-brick overgrown with shrubs and tall gum trees. Taylor walked in as if it was his home.

  ‘Hey Jaz, great to see you back,’ said Stewie from behind the counter as they signed in.

  ‘Great to be back, Stew. I’m looking forward to giving Tay a run for his money,’ she said to the officer on duty.

  Stew threw back his shaved head and laughed. ‘Oh Jaz, I wouldn’t go betting money on that just yet. You know he practically lives here.’

  ‘Yeah, yeah. Don’t worry, you’ll be seeing more of me too. I have a lot to catch up on,’ she said with a nod.

  ‘Come on. We better get started then. This could take a while,’ said Taylor with an exaggerated sigh.

  Jaz elbowed him in the ribs. ‘Thanks for the wonderful encouragement, Tay.’

  They entered into the close range shooting area where stalls were set up. Jaz couldn’t see Derik, who wasn’t hard to miss with his short orange hair. She looked through the small serving window into the office and found Derik engrossed in a game on his phone. ‘Can we get some service here?’ she said with a grin.

  Derik looked up and smiled. ‘Hey, you’re back. Good to see, Jaz. Good to see. Hey, Tay. So what will it be for you both today?’

  ‘I’ll go the Browning 9mm, thanks Derik.’

  ‘Make it two,’ said Taylor.

  ‘Do you have a Starfire 9mm in there?’ she asked, remembering that Ryan said that would be the gun she’d get to use eventually. For now the Browning was the one to practise with, as it was heavier and would make the Starfire seem easy.

  ‘Yes, we do. That’s probably a better lighter fit for you. Do you want it?’ said Derik.

  ‘Ah, no. I’ll stick with the Browning.’

  ‘Geez, Jaz. Watch out, you’re starting to sound like a gun know-it-all,’ said Taylor.

  ‘Just like you, hey?’ Jaz laughed. ‘You thought I never listened when you talk guns, did you?’

  Taylor scratched his chin. ‘Nup. You’re a girl.’

  Jaz rolled her eyes and took the gun and ammunition. ‘Thanks Derik.’ She got a set of earmuffs and helped herself to a stall. Then she focused on her target at the end of the room while she loaded the gun. Keeping her breathing steady, she took aim and fired.

  When the eight shots were spent, she checked her aim on the target sheet as it whizzed towards her.

  ‘Not bad, Jaz. You’re just holding yourself too rigid and tight. Try to relax your shoulders more,’ said Taylor.

  She took her stance. ‘Like this? What else?’

  Taylor adjusted a few other things, like her stance width, before she reloaded and went again. Jaz kept going through the rounds while taking on board the advice. Even Derik put his two bob in, but Jaz was happy to listen. She had more riding on this than either of them knew.

  ‘Should I have another go with a different gun, Tay?’ she asked as they emptied another clip.

  ‘No, you’re better off getting good with that one before you try and adjust to others.’ Taylor and Jaz handed the guns back to Derik while they put away the earmuffs. ‘What’s up with you today anyway?’ he asked.

  ‘What do you mean?’

  Taylor squinted as if he was trying to see through to her thoughts. ‘I’ve never seen you so focused on shooting before. When you are kicking my arse at fencing or fighting with Tick at The Ring, I sometimes see that same focus. But today, today you were somewhere else. Has someone pissed you off?’

  The last part made Jaz smile. ‘Yeah, you,’ she teased. ‘I just thrive on the competition Tay. See ya, Derik. We’ll be back soon.’

  ‘I’ll hold you to that,’ he said as he waved them goodbye.

  Taylor put his arm around her shoulders as they walked out. ‘Come on, Jaz. I know you’re competitive, but there was more than that today.’

  Jaz didn’t reply as they signed out and headed to his car. Only when she’d put her seatbelt on did she speak. ‘I guess I really want to learn. I want to be great at it like you. And maybe I’ll go into the armed forces after school and do something with it. Have you thought about what you’ll do?’

  Taylor pulled at a thread on his black school pants. ‘Not really. I could join the police force and follow in Dad’s footsteps, but I want something more than writing fines and going to domestic disturbances. If only I could go straight in as a detective, or maybe join the Federal Police. I want a bit more action.’

  ‘I hear ya,’ she said. ‘Well, until we figure it out, will you help me with my shooting?’

  ‘Jesus Jaz. You just have to be a crack shot at everything. You’ve already beaten me at fencing, now you want to take over the range too?’ he teased.

  ‘Come on, Tay. All the practise in the world couldn’t get me to your level.’ She smirked. ‘Please?’

  He grinned. ‘How could I say no? Besides I’ve been trying to get you girls to come here with me all the time. Finally I’ll have won something.’

  ‘Oh poor, Tay. It can’t be that bad? Being St Christian’s golden boy is not enough?’

  Taylor laughed as he drove them back into the city. ‘It was alright in the beginning but now it just seems tedious. Like I have to put on an appearance.’

  ‘More like you’ve finally seen through Minka’s fake personality. Half of them are like that. I’m glad you’ve opened your eyes. So, can we do this again next week?’

  Taylor’s face lit up like she’d promised him the world. ‘Hell yes. Do you think Anna might come next time?’ he asked.

  Jaz was doubtful. ‘Yeah, she probably will.’ Who was she to upset Taylor?

  He dropped her off at home and Jaz waltzed into the house with a spring in her step.

  ‘Hey you. Was that Taylor’s rumbling Mustang I heard?’

  ‘Yep, we were just at the range.’ Jaz glanced at her mum who was elbow deep in the takeaway menus, their Tuesday night ritual. Tasha was looking back at her with a whimsical smile. ‘What?’ Jaz asked.

  ‘Nothing. You just look really happy.’ Tasha’s blonde hair was out of her normal tight bun and cascaded around her shoulders.

  ‘I am.’ Jaz went up to her mum and gave her a hug. She had her mum’s lean body and her blue eyes, but that was where most of it ended. Jaz’s dark hair and tinted skin made her stand out in her family. Her father was dead and Tasha refused to tell her about him. But her stepfather, Paul, had been her dad since she was two and she had her half-brother, Simon. So she wasn’t lacking in the family department, but still she wished she knew something more about her father. More than just the medallion of his she wore around her neck.

  ‘Aw, thanks honey. I love you,’ said Tasha, as she caressed Jaz’s face in her han
ds. ‘Now, it’s do or die decision-making. Italian or Chinese?’

  Jaz went and sat on the stool behind the large marble kitchen bench, her hand automatically feeling for her father’s medallion. As usual, Tasha saw her but didn’t comment. Tasha knew how to avoid the whole ‘father’ situation with perfection. ‘Italian I’m thinking. Where’s Simon and Dad?’ she asked as she ran her finger over the gold circle. She loved the carving of St Michael, the archangel, his wings out, sword raised as he stood on what looked like a dragon he was about to slay. Around the edge of the pendant were the words St Michael Pray for Us. Jaz wasn’t religious, but she wondered if her father had been.

  ‘Simon’s still with your dad at the office. They should be back in half an hour. So it’s just us,’ said Tasha as she handed over the Italian take-out menu.

  ‘Hey Mum, was my real father religious?’ Jaz asked.

  Tasha went rigid. ‘Um, maybe a little, I think. Why?’

  ‘This was his, right? Or was it given to him by someone who was religious?’ said Jaz, fishing for more information.

  Tasha sighed. ‘I think his mother may have got it for him when he was little and he wore it everyday as a good luck charm. I think it was special to him.’

  ‘Is that why he gave it to you?’

  Jaz studied the faraway look on her Mum’s face. She almost seemed in pain. Did she miss him? Or did he hurt her? ‘Did he love you, Mum?’

  Tasha nodded, a small smile of memories on her lips. ‘Yes, I believe he did, Jasmine. But sometimes that’s not enough. You’ll find out in life that you have to make some hard decisions, and I hope you choose what’s right for you. No matter how much you love someone, sometimes they are just wrong for you.’

  Ryan flashed through Jaz’s mind and she shook it away. Would her mum think he was a wrong choice? She would certainly think being with a guy who carries a gun, seeks out drug lords and possibly kills people as NOT being boyfriend material. Damn. Still Jaz didn’t feel in her heart that it was wrong. Maybe she was optimistic or naive, and maybe she wasn’t thinking about her future in the same way her mum was. Tasha probably had dreams of marriage, a career and kids. Jaz wanted that, just not now. Right now she wanted to make a difference.