I was under in the Organization for years and I rose to the top – something no one else has managed. Better than Kir, better than your stable of greenhorns. “Because, Agent Starling,” he says, pushing past her and turning slightly to catch her eye over his shoulder, “I’m the better agent. Rei stands, slipping his phone into his pocket. Shuu could have gone to any of them with his plan and they would have jumped onboard in a heartbeat – without conditions. “Do you really think we didn’t have access to other agents? Between the CIA and the FBI we could have pulled in half a dozen, including Kir. Because he had no horse in this race anymore, and had to find one, fast.” “Because he lost his own place in the Organization. “And why do you think he agreed to that?” “That’s what Akai signed up for when he asked for my help. “And only you get to decide what that looks like, is that it? Justice defined by the most biased party possible?” “What more could you possibly want from him?” “Our connection is much deeper than yours, agent. “Stay away from Shuu,” she says, arms crossed, eyes narrow. Rei stays seated, thumbing through his recent emails on his phone. Then the meeting is over and officers are filing out of the room. They’re glacially polite to each other, when they deign to acknowledge the other’s presence at all. Camel, a step behind her like a retinue of one, glances at Rei apologetically and bobs his head.Īs it turns out, their next meeting is together. But she sallies right past without once looking at him, head held high. He knows she sees him like most NOCs he has a sixth sense about being recognized. It’s Starling, walking down the hall with Andre Camel beside her, his hulking bulk immense in the narrow corridor. He’s currently the only blond agent in the building, so naturally he turns to look.
He’s in the hall sorting through print-outs for his next meeting when he spots someone tall and blonde out of the corner of his eye.
More accurately, he is snubbed by Jodie Starling. Rei meets Jodie Starling at the Met office the next day.