"You're fucking with me."

I hadn't expected the guttural tone my voice came out in, so filled with malice and vile rage that it infected every syllable. I was almost surprised that Smith hadn't flinched at my words.

Almost.

"I'm genuinely sorry about this. I don't like it any more than you do. But if they're desperate enough to do this, going along with it is our best option."

Apparently, despite my boss and/or business associate's promise otherwise, the Federal Division of Dangerous Individuals (F.D.D.I) managed to scramble someone into a fake identity fast enough to get into our Hiring list. Amanda Smith, in all her 'wisdom', decided that despite finding this would be infiltrator the best option would be to hire her. I obviously thought otherwise.

"But is it really? I mean, we know and have evidence- legal evidence I might remind you on the off chance you have other kinds- that they are attempting an unlawful attempt to gather evidence in our company. There is no warrant, no probably cause, and no request for entry. We could easily sue-"

"With the money we just got back from being stolen that looks extremely suspicious right now?"

"…..OH, right."

"Exactly. While I have reported everything the embezzlement, my…. previous career choices still leave this looking more suspicious than it would for others. Cracking down on people entering the company would just add on to that. I disagree with the 'you have nothing to hide, and therefore nothing to fear' mindset this promotes, but in this case going along with it both does less damage and theoretically will give us more ammunition if push comes to shove."

She has a point there, from what Smith told me this person is a shapeshifter. If they are willing to go through less than legal means to get dirt on us, there' always a chance that this empowered could 'replace' an already working person to get inside. That would just endanger people unnecessarily. Meanwhile, now we KNOW who and where they are in a building with good surveillance.

I decided that, since I didn't know of any shady dealings, someone looking for said nonexistent felonies and misdemeanors are unlikely to do much damage. There were still other issues to consider, and while most were probably already thought of, it was better to check our bases.

"Ok, disregarding the fact that we have to pay someone just to spy on us without them knowing we're watching them too. How do we even know they can do this job. What if they-"

"Oh, they absolutely can't."

"I'm sorry what?"

"Remember when we agreed to hire less people and repair more. I decided to hire people 'less qualified' to pay them a lesser amount while still not being exploitative. Better to not have to get away with anything than to worry about getting caught."

Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

She always makes these justifications for why she doesn't do certain stuff people would expect a villain to do…. But why does it always feel hollow? Not the focus, what the hell does this have to do with hiring a spy- OOOOOH. Shit.

My brain finally caught up with the situation, and tried to find answers.

"Wait, so they intentionally placed someone in the less qualified category? Did you not have higher tier jobs available?"

"I did, the whole reason I had the lower paying jobs was so I could be more focused on picking the best options- but none of the people we saw had any red flags."

"So, they either picked a lower end job to avoid scrutiny or they really-"

Amanda already knew I was reaching the conclusion she had made far faster than I could have ever hoped to. She didn't bother letting me finish.

"Exactly, they don't meet the qualifications. They're just here to play the long game. Whoever is behind this operation is relying on us to train the person how to tell what to look for."

"Ok, but someone is going to have to train them then. And if they mess something up they could easily pin the blame on us if left to their own devices. I don't know if they WOULD- but it's a possibility."

If I had known how much I would regret her answer, I would have quit the day before.

"I know, that's why YOU are going to train her. You're the most qualified in the field here at the moment and they can assist you with your work leaving you to double check it. Opening up your time to more important things."

I sputtered out the question, not even thinking once as I was so shocked.

"Excuse me?"

"what's wrong?"

My reply was slow and deliberate. My attempts to get her to understand the undertaking she was asking of me as thorough as I could manage.

"You want….. to give the spy…… a job working with your CFO who knows the entire financial situation of the company. Just to get rid of them. All while using them to 'ease the load' on said CFO who is having to now in addition with his task of managing finances, reallocate previous finances AND train someone that knows very likely fuck all in regards to the job?"

"I mean, no better way to prove we have nothing to hide than shove it in their faces. Besides, your competent. If there were anyone who could handle it, you'd be that person."

I was tired already. I would make it through the day. The exhaustion of a sleepless father seeped into my soul, and by extension my voice.

"Amanda, for the first time in my career. I can finally say I can tell you’re a sociopath."

"Well thank you."

She sounded genuinely pleased. Which turned an infinitesimally small portion of my exhaustion to anger.

"It wasn't a compliment."

"I know, but it's the closest I've gotten to a genuine one in a few months, so I'll take it."

Before I could respond to that surprisingly unfortunate implication, I heard a voice. Peppy in the way you knew from the first syllable they were going to be trouble.

"Sorry I'm late, my stuff just got to the apartment I live in last night. Had to spend all last night setting up my bed. It won't happen again!"

I didn't even have to ask, I knew this was going to be the person we were talking about. That was just my luck this week. Smith confirmed the sinking feeling in my gut.

"Michael Rodgers, meet Misses Ilaria Martinez. Ilaria Martinez, I'd like you to meet your trainer. He is our CFO and the best we have here."

'Ilaria' seemingly waiting for this response quickly jumped in front of me with her hand outstretched.

"Nice to meet you, sir! I'll be sure to learn as much as possible from you."

God, They're even doing that thing where you talk in double meanings. It's not as clever when the person knows what you're doing. Unfortunately for them, learning from me is exactly what we want.

I gave my best, friendliest smile. Knowing I was about to make this person's life hell, just as their mere presence was doing for me.

"Well Ilaria, I'll be sure to put you through your paces then."

Two of us can play this game, Agent Red.