Fisher. She approached him casually. After all, it’s not like Fisher was an uncommon name. For all she knew, this man could be waiting for anyone.
“M s. Fisher?” the older gentlemen asked.
“Yes, that’s me, ” Sam answered.
“Right this way. I’ve been instructed to assist you in any way possible, but for now, I’m just going to drive you to your hotel and show you the car you’ll be driving. My name’s Zane, by the way.”
“I’m Sam. It’s nice to meet you, Zane.”
With all the small pleasantries exchanged that were necessary, for the moment, they both made their way to Zane’s car.
Upon arriving, Sam couldn’t help but admire the car in front of her and wonder if life as a contact wouldn’t be a bit more fulfilling. After all, she had never received or even been able to drive anything this beautiful. It was a candy apple red Corvette, and it looked brand new. Nice car. The agency must pay the boys in Memphis a pretty penny, she thought as she got into the vehicle. After seeing the strange and admiring look that the car brought upon the face of his new friend, Zane knew he would need to explain on the way.
“It’s not really mine,” Zane said while cranking the car and backing out.
“Well technically it is, but how can I put this? I lucked out when I got put here in this situation. I’ve lived in several different locations throughout the states, and oftentimes I’ve posed as a pretty irrelevant person throughout different communities while waiting to be of assistance to different people like you. I’ve driven in some pretty ragged vehicles and lived in some even worse houses, but a couple of years ago, I was luckily moved here, and for once, I got to pose as a very important corporate businessman. So naturally, and thankfully, I get to drive a car and live in a house that reflects my story.”
“I wish I could luck out like you, Zane.”
“Well, I won’t lie to you. It is as glamorous as it looks,” Zane said with a grin. “There’s one thing that I don’t get, though. When did they start putting people your age in the field? I mean, no offense, but you just don’t seem quite as seasoned as the other agents I’ve assisted in the past.”
“I’m twenty-four, sir. I am plenty old enough , and I assure you that I’m more than capable of getting any job done that is asked of me.”
“I’m sorry if I have offended you, miss. Once again, I truly meant no offense.”
Sam couldn’t help but be a little offended by the notion that she may be too young or too inexperienced to do the job of a so-called “seasoned” agent, but she couldn’t argue with the fact that she was much younger than any of the other agents she had heard about. Her superiors were older, most of the people she had trained with at the CIA camp were older, and without her special circumstance, she probably wouldn’t have been anywhere near as accomplished as she currently was. In fact, the majority of agents had experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, or at least some type of deep military background where they had proven their extraordinary abilities. She, on the other hand, was simply assumed to be extraordinary. She had broken records in every possible area back at her old training facility. She held records that showed her accelerated agility, speed, endurance, marksmanship, and most importantly, her intelligence, but were those things anything more than simple numbers to her? No, in her own mind she hadn’t accomplished anything just yet. After all, this was her first real assignment. Screw this up and everything you’ve done is for nothing, she kept telling herself throughout the week that led up to now.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t me an to sound upset. I just want you to know that you aren’t working with an amateur,” Sam said in the most sincere way she possibly could.
Zane quickly accepted her apology and offered another apology of his own, but in spite of their attempts to rectify