He nodded and then he too disappeared, leaving her staring after them, hot, baffled and anxious. She had always been quiet, shy and not one to put herself forwards. But that didn’t mean she was stupid. She had a fair assessment of her talents and capabilities. Yes, she knew she wasn’t as stupid as she often thought she was. Yes, she knew she had confidence issues. But to be told she’d shone to such an extent that people actually wanted her on their team . . . before she’d even completed her gruntwork . . . She was willing to bet that anywhere in this building you could still get good odds on her not finishing her time here.

She finished her meal and lost no time seeking out Luke and Matthew, waiting for them outside the gym.

They seemed surprised to see her.

She nudged them into a quiet corner. ‘Do you two have a minute?’

Parrish was towelling his still damp hair. He stopped and looked at her warily. ‘Why?’

She told them what had happened, relating their words as closely as she could remember them and waited, somewhat nervously, for Parrish’s disbelieving, ‘You?’

‘Yes,’ she said defiantly. ‘Me. They wanted me. I don’t understand it.’

‘Neither do I,’ said Parrish.

‘Oh thanks.’

‘Well, seriously, Jane . . .’

‘Oh f . . .’ She bit off the word.

Parrish grinned. ‘Oh . . . what? Come on, Lockland, you know the word. Begins with f and ends in uck.’

Her temper snapped. ‘Oh, fire truck off, Parrish.’

She stormed off down the corridor.

Matthew watched her go, a worried frown on his face, and then turned back to Parrish. ‘That’s . . . odd.’

‘What’s odd? Jane’s attempt at profanity or Callen’s very unexpected interest?’

‘Both. But mostly Callen.’

Parrish nodded. ‘Unexpected enough to be troubling. She’s right. Why would they want her? Is someone trying to break us up? Why? If they want to do that, then why don’t they just say, “Farrell, you’re too weird for words and Parrish, you’re too good for this place. Both of you get out of here.” Eh?’

‘Dunno.’

‘Well, no one can do anything until we’ve finished our gruntwork, surely?’

Matthew frowned. ‘Suppose they don’t wait for her to finish her gruntwork? She might just move to someone else’s team if they asked her. She’s desperate for someone to like her.’

Luke looked up, surprised. ‘Why wouldn’t they like her?’

‘For the same reason they don’t like us.’

‘Their loss. I’m adorable,’ said the tall, handsome, and above all, rich boy, who never had any problems getting people to like him. He slung his towel over his shoulder. ‘Suppose she does?’

‘Does what?’

‘Leave our team.’

‘Why do you care?’

Luke considered this. ‘Not sure.’

15

15

The memo was flashed to all their scratchpads after the morning briefing.

‘What’s this?’ said Luke. ‘June 1st – Stop the Clock Day. What does that mean?’