Free Epic: Book 02 - Outlaw Trigger by Lee Stephen Page A

“I’ve done better. The best I’ve held is six-and-a-half.”
    “ How’d yeh learn to do tha’?”
    She smiled. “It’s a part of scout training in Philly .”
    “ Righ’, but why?”
    “ It’s all part of tactical observations. Sometimes you’ve got to stay hidden.”
    “ Yeh mean all scouts can hold their breath for tha’ long?”
    “ No way,” she winked. “I was choice, no competition.” As Becan laughed, her eyes fixated on the pool’s edge. They lingered on Scott for a moment, then they returned to Becan.
    Becan raised an eyebrow. “Wha’s tha’ abou’?”
    “ I’m sorry?”
    “ I saw yeh givin’ Remmy the once-over, don’t pretend tha’ yeh didn’t. Yeh fancy him or somethin’?”
    “ My left foot!” she said, almost blushing.
    His eyes narrowed. “Then wha’s it abou’?”
    Esther’s gaze settled on Scott again. She fell quiet as she observed him. “Is he the Golden Lion?” she finally asked.
    Becan nodded his head and dog-paddled.
    “ Have you fought alongside him much?”
    “ I have. I was with him in Chicago—we assaulted the Carrier together.”
    “ Get away! You were there in Chicago?”
    “ I was.”
    Her lips remained pursed, as she dipped her head to her neckline. “He’s really that good, then?”
    “ He is. As class as I’ve ever seen.”
    Esther watched Scott from the center of the pool. “The Golden Lion,” she whispered. “When we met in the hangar and he introduced himself, I knew his name was familiar. Is there a side to him?”
    “ There’s not. He’s sound through an’ through.”
    “ He seems it. Do you think I could talk to him?”
    Becan hesitated. “Wha’ do yeh mean?”
    “ Do you think I could talk to him? Is he approachable?”
    “ Tha’ depends on wha’ yeh mean by talkin’ to him. He’s already doin’ a line, yeh know—girl from America, she’s comin’ this week.”
    She squinted her nose. “I don’t want to pull him, I only want to chat.”
    “ You sure yeh just want to chat?”
    “ Last time I checked,” she answered sarcastically.
    “ Dry up.”
    “ Seriously,” she gave him a look. “Do you think I could approach him?”
    “ You could. If yeh swim close enough he’ll probably start blatherin’ on annyway.”
    “ Really?”
    “ Really,” he said.
    “ Fancy that.”

    Scott’s head leaned against the pool’s outer rim, and his eyes were still closed. It had been a great idea to bring everyone for a swim today. They were all having a good time. He didn’t mind having the reputation of being the easy-week officer. His week was a good transition into Dostoevsky’s week, which was the worst by far. Even Clarke and Max dreaded it.
    Scott opened his eyes and lifted his head upright. He scanned the pool. Maksim was still in conversation with Max and Boris. Galina was in the middle of her laps. Clarke shared a word with Oleg Strakhov, as David and Travis chatted on from afar.
    He turned his head only to be surprised by Esther, as she waded meters in front of him. So she was still there. She must have been underwater before. “How goes it, Brooking?”
    She smiled hesitantly. “Very good, sir. I could get accustomed to this every day.”
    “ Don’t. You’re catching me in a good mood on a good week.”
    She laughed and cocked her head. “I’ll do my best to take advantage of it, sir.”
    She had a good attitude. She had struck him as a good girl from the get-go. “You get everyone’s names down yet?”
    Esther’s smile lingered. “Yes sir, mostly. Some of the Russian names are hard to pronounce, though.”
    “ It’ll all come. We’ve got a pretty friendly group.”
    “ I’ve noticed as much, sir.”
    “ Some are more friendly than others.”
    She laughed, and her mocha skin blushed a shade of red. “I think I’ve noticed, sir. Is his name Becan McCrae?”
    “ Watch him. He’s dangerous.”
    “ I’ll do my best.” Silence lingered between them, as Esther rubbed her hand back over her hair.