Catching Smoke

The Eleventh Chapter

Her name is Lydia.
She was Colin’s recruiter.
She wasn’t supposed to be, of course. The same rule that female recruiters only recruit other females still applied, but an exception had been made for Colin. At the time, Lydia was on vacation in Brazil at just the precise moment Colin scammed his way into taking a trip there for his eighteenth birthday.
Colin thought it was love; Lydia knew it was only a job. They hadn’t spoken since.
Until now.
“You’re on a job?” Lydia says through her teeth as she drives them into the city.
Emmalee is sitting in the backseat staring out the window, not speaking, and Colin is in the passenger seat, smirking. Lydia has been reduced to the designation of driver. It’s a job Colin would have labeled beneath her.
“You’re not?” Colin asks, and Lydia glares at him for a moment.
“It was an accident.” She says.
“What?”
“Don’t act like you haven’t heard. Why else would you be here, gloating?”
“I’m not here to gloat. I’m here to recruit.”
“Here? Of all places? Give me a break, Colin. I’m not an idiot.”
“I didn’t say you were.”
Emmalee leans forward in her seat, and Colin turns his head to look at her.
“What are you two talking about? Or am I still not allowed to know the answers?” Emmalee asks.
“Go to sleep.” Colin says. “You haven’t slept in almost twenty four hours.”
“How do you know that?”
“I’ll answer your questions after you sleep.”
“Is that a promise? Can I have that in writing?”
“She’s sassy. I like her.” Lydia says.
“I’m not being sassy. I’m being serious.” Emmalee says. “So, Colin, is that a promise?”
“Yeah, sure, whatever.” Colin says, sighing.
He didn’t want Emmalee to know his name. Lydia was going to pay for this. He didn’t think she meant to give away his identification, but he wouldn’t put it past her. He knew better than to trust her. Why did Emmalee have to come here? 

This recruit better be worth it.