Page 138 of Red Marked

I make a note in the margin of his résumé.

“You said you’ve run your own crew for six years,” I say. “On my team, you’d be the new guy. I already have the management positions filled. You will need to be able to take orders and follow them to the letter. Would that be a problem for you?”

“Not at all. Although I am experienced, these types of runs would be new to me. I hope that once I learn the ropes, I might be considered for a future management position, but it is not a necessity. I can absolutely follow orders.”

“Would you have a problem taking orders from a female?” I ask him. Although Atlas is going to take over from me, Rift would fill in for him on his days off.

“No.” He shakes his head. “Not at all.”

“Why did you apply for this job? I mean, aside from the money.”

He picks up his half-empty coffee cup, thinks of drinking, and then puts it down again.

“A male I grew up with was exiled eleven years ago. What he did wasn’t nothing, but it wasn’t worth being sent to the jungle over either.” His eyes come back up to mine. “He was eligible for reintroduction into society five years ago, but he never came back. I’ve heard that happens a lot. That males turn feral out there. I saw the piece on the news about your center; I would be able to go into that jungle and, hopefully, find him. Or somebody like him. I could make a difference. I want to make a difference. I have the skill set, so why not put it to good use?”

I nod.

If I didn’t already have Star, Forge would have been perfect. He’s big, he’s steady, and he believes in what is right. Atlas would like him.

I’m going to keep his résumé.

I will need someone to replace me soon enough.

“I know you can start immediately, but would you consider taking a position in the coming months?”

“Are you saying I didn’t get the position I’m being interviewed for?”

“No.” I shake my head. “That’s not what I’m saying. I think you’re a good fit, but I might not be able to employ you right away.”

He nods. “Absolutely. At that point, I might have to give a notice period. I would never leave anyone in the lurch; I’m sure you understand?”

I nod. “Of course.”

“To answer your question, yes, I am very interested in a position on your team now or in the near future.”

“Okay, then. That’s everything from my side. Do you have any questions for me?”

“Just the one. How does the annual leave work?” He rubs the back of his neck. “My sister’s mating ceremony is in four months. I’ve given her my word I’ll be there.”

“Twenty-one days a year. On top of that, the team works on a rotation, and every rotation ends in a three-day break. It’s ten days on and three days off. Shifts are ten hours, so pretty long. You’d live on site. Leave requests come through me, and I need a month’s notice so nobody flies short-handed. We don’t normally grant leave within the first six months, but this is your sister’s mating ceremony, so an exception would be made.” I cap my pen.

“That’s more than fair.”

“Is there anything you’d like to add?”

“Only that I’d love to be considered for the position,” he says. “But I said that already.” He smiles.

“You’ll hear from me in the next few days, either way.”

We stand. His chair scrapes. His handshake is firm.

“Thank you for your time, Flint.”

“Thanks for coming in, Forge.”

I watch him leave. Forge walks across the lobby and stops to hold the door for a woman wrestling a banner stand through it. Then he carries the thing to the front desk for her.

I’m going to hire him in the near future, so I don’t have to feel bad about giving the position to Star. Having said that, I’ve seen her in action, and she is the best candidate for the job.