Days later, Lydia finally accepted Arthur’s invitation to talk. As to what he could want to see her about, that had left her scratching her head. He welcomed her into his office, which was cleaner than her last visit. She sat across from him. His office was like a typical businessman’s space, not one of a leader of a secret government division. Even Barrett’s office was reminiscent of an important position. But the dim peach walls and filing cabinets here were simple.
Arthur rubbed his chin and sat back in his chair. “I’ll get right to it and make this quick,” he said. “I’d like to offer you a job as a BEP agent.”
She gawked at him. “You’re joking, right?”
“No, I’m not,” he said. “I’ll be honest. We extend this offer to everyone who comes through here, provided they’re at least sixteen. I would’ve offered it earlier, but I didn’t want to press you since you haven’t had much time to adjust to this place, your little trip notwithstanding. As I’ve said before, our agents are in short supply. You wouldn’t become official until you’re eighteen, but we would start training you and provide you with necessary schooling. We have a nice college financial aid program to help.”
A BEP agent? Lydia had written that off when Arthur had first mentioned it, but she didn’t immediately dismiss it now. “You don’t have to give me an answer here and now,” Arthur said. “There are some who refuse at first, but they change their minds later. I’d just like you to think about it.”
“So if I say yes, I would be an agent like Sylvia?” For Lydia, there was one aspect of that position that immediately leapt out at her: the backing of the BEP Division and all its resources. That would be perfect for sniffing out Finster and the others. Yes, the life of what was ostensibly a spy, complete with harrowing thrills, and the ability to protect and save the country from rogue BEPs was icing on the cake. But the main layers were baked with her heart’s desire to find her father’s murderers. Her mind flashed with the possibilities of all the databases, vehicles, and weapons that would be at her disposal.
“Possibly,” Arthur said. “Then again, you may have talents elsewhere, like Gary did. He didn’t make it as an agent, but went to college, earned his degree, and came back to us as a full-fledged counselor.”
Lydia frowned internally at that suggestion. She would have access to some elements of the BEP Division, however. Even being a janitor or someone low on the staff hierarchy would yield more than she currently had.
“It could turn out that you don’t meet the criteria we’re looking for in any position,” Arthur said. “We may be hurting for people, but if we don’t think you will work well as an agent, we won’t take you. We do have standards that you must meet. Personally, I think you could make a good agent.”
“You do?”
“Sure,” Arthur said. He folded his hands over his chest. “You take charge, have initiative and, from what I hear it from Sylvia, you’re not a bad fighter. Plus, you’ve already shown you can help others.” He picked up a newspaper and fanned it in front of her. On the front were the two crooks from the gas station, being led away in handcuffs.
“What can I say? Vigilantes are all the rage,” Lydia said. “Can I have that paper?”
He handed the newspaper over. “With some training, you could be better. The training will be intense, that much you can be sure of. I’ll expect you to work hard. We can’t have anything less than the best.” He opened his office door and ushered her out. “Take some time to think about it. But know that if you decide to accept, then the sooner you do, the sooner we can start your training.”
As she headed back to her room, anxious to share the news with Wren, Lydia dwelled on the prospect. A BEP agent. Certainly a beneficial career choice, if an unexpected one. If the BEP Division could offer her what she sought, then Lydia had already made her decision.
Halfway Heroes Page 70
