I walk towards the room where Lucas has asked me to meet him. The corridor is dimly lit by tired light bulbs, which make it seem even darker. He really ought to think about changing the bulbs. The wallpaper is dark red with black and white stripes, which makes the room seem even darker. My hand rests on the handle to open the door. The room is dark, lit only by an interactive whiteboard. Lucas is waiting for me behind his desk, looking through files. He looks up, his expression serious and cold.
-Harry Waterson, is that right? said Lucas in a monotone, cold voice.
I nod my head while remaining serious.
-Yes, you can call me Harry, Mr Ryde, I said in a serious and professional tone.
He motioned for me to sit down, and I did so. The chair was made of grey velvet, which was very elegant and comfortable.
-Just call me Lucas, lad. I asked you to come because I'd like to have an experienced CIA agent for the mission I'm leading. Tell Lucas as you hand me the file.
I never gave him permission to call me that. I say nothing and take the file.
-What does this mission involve? I asked, slightly curious.
-The mission is to be the right word for a young girl. She really caught our eye, so we want her to be one of our agents. We really need this kind of potential in our ranks. You can ask me for information or help, I will always be there for you in this mission. Explain to me.
I look at the file without saying a word.
Primary school: Saint-Martin
Secondary School: Saint-Louis
Family situation: orphan
Height: 160cm (5 feet 3 inches)
Weight: 46 kg
Full name: Stella Cooper
Age: 16 years old
Birthday: 8/10/2009
Origin: German
Sexuality: woman
-I'll do my best, Mr Lucas. I said. Putting the file away safely.
He points to the file with his rough fingertip. All the while looking me straight in the eye. His serious expression still there.
-There are other pages that explain everything you need to know, but there is one thing we never found out about this young girl.
I nod, thinking about what I have just said, then get up to leave this dark room. I walk back along the same gloomy path as before to reach the building's strangely silent car park. Night has already fallen, and a few street lamps illuminate the darkness of the car park.
I unlock my BMW with my keys, then open the passenger door and start the engine. I recline the seat a little, then notice a photo of the girl: she has long, slightly wavy dark brown hair with a few lighter strands. She is wearing a black cap, tilted slightly forward, which gives her a discreet look. Her expression is calm, almost melancholic, and she has dark grey eyes. She is wearing a black top, leaving one shoulder bare, with a jacket slung over her arms.
There are lots of little notes about this young girl. I scan through the file until a piece of text catches my eye.
Stella Cooper was placed in an orphanage at the age of 12. Her biological parents reported that they had abandoned her near an orphanage when she was 10 years old. To date, no investigation has been completed, or it was conducted over a two-year period from when she was 12 to when she was 10. The case was closed without further action.
It's really strange... Where has she been for two years? Or maybe... who could have taken her?
I put the file in my glove compartment so it doesn't get dirty, then start the car to go home.
The next day, I send a message to my best friend, John Abbot.
Harry: John, Do you want to meet at the park at the usual time?
John: Yeah, if you want, but I'll make you focus on the file I have.
Harry: I know, me too, bro. I could really use some fresh air and some company. See you later.
John: See you later.
At 1:53 p.m., after doing what I had to do, like cleaning my flat, I go out to meet John. I take the file out of the glove compartment. I completely forgot to bring it home last night, but I'm not irresponsible, am I?
I sit on a bench under a tree so I don't get skin cancer. The sun is very bright today.
I start looking through my file, hoping to find a plan to approach this young girl without coming across as a paedophile.
Suddenly, a familiar voice pulls me out of my thoughts:
-Harry!!
I look in the direction of the voice that called out to me. With his black hair, bright green eyes, energy and infectious smile. It can only be John.
-John, How are you? Have you changed your hair colour again? Black now? I said, watching him approach.
-Yeah, I'm fine, how are you? And yes, I've dyed my hair, but it suits me, doesn't it? You told me you had a new assignment. He said enthusiastically all while sitting next to me.
We start looking at our files while thinking about how we can complete the mission. We know that if we get caught talking about our missions to each other or exchanging files, we will be in trouble. But no one we know comes to this park, and neither of us is going to get ourselves into trouble.
-Damn it, I have to convince or even manipulate a young girl to join the CIA, and on top of that, I have to train her. My job is already difficult enough, and now they're adding this to my plate? I said, exasperated.
John, think lightly and be mischievous. He'll give me more weird ideas, I'm sure.
-That's not the kind of thing you usually do. Not even coaching someone... speaking of that girl...? He smiled mischievously. How old is she? I need a girlfriend, I broke up with Melina. I can't stay single.
I put down my file, then look at him strangely. He's left his girlfriend again. It's the third time this month, and it's only 5 September.
-This is the third time this month, and it's only the beginning of the month! When are you going to start having serious relationships? And don't even think about it, she's barely 16. I stop talking, then continue: now I have to find a way to talk to her without coming across as a paedophile... I say, discouraged.
-And it's not my fault she leaves me every time. I have an idea for this young lady. Can you kidnap her? he said, seriously.
I really wasn't expecting that idea. I looked at him as if he were a madman on the bus. Well... He is a madman on the bus... but how could he have been in the same pose as me?
-You're really twisted. Keep your stupid ideas to yourself. I don't want to end up in prison on top of losing my job. I said, tilting my head back.
-Hey! I've got some good ideas! OK! He smiles at me stupidly.
I won't answer that. Sometimes I wonder how old he is mentally. He seems like a psychopath with the mental age of a teenager and the body of a 30-year-old adult.
I sit up straight and continue my research into the case and how she could have disappeared in two years. Without leaving any traces...
John pulls me out of my important thoughts:
-I have an idea, make me a turtle this time! You could work as a supervisor at the school she attends and you could try to be friends with her.
He say.
-With the air of a studious pupil, how do you want me to describe her? The twisted one? I said sarcastically.
Gentlemen, it's amazing when an idea pops into my head. John has a crazy idea, but he gives me incredible plans.
-Oh John, you're a misunderstood genius! I have to go! I'll sew that up for you! I said energetically as I got up from the bench.
I rushed to the park entrance where I had left my car without waiting for John's reply.
-When I get home, I look at Stella's file, searching for one piece of information: her secondary school. Saint-Louis. It's a very Quebecois French school name. I look up their website and discover that they are hiring supervisors, substitute teachers and teachers.