Undercover (English version)

Chapter 1

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Clyde's point of view

«Blake Moore.» Repeats Mr. Gonzalez. Theoretically his name is Steven, but here we all call him by surname. I guess we all have a mad fear of his glare, or the fact that he might fire us in two nano-seconds. And, between us, getting fired from the FBI department isn't exactly a nice note on the resume. «A nice fake name, Clyde. You can repeat your story.»

I clear my throat, take a deep breath, and then say the life I have to pretend to have. I have memorized it, because I have to remember every single detail to make sure that my cover doesn't blow. I have been repeating this story to myself for days like a mantra: while taking a shower, having breakfast, while talking to my best friend. Nobody should have even the slightest suspicion of who I really am. «I'm Blake Moore, I'm from Michigan and moved here a week ago with my parents who travel frequently for work. I am an only child, allergic to almonds and after high school I want to be a doctor.» I've been working for the FBI for about two years. I've been wanting to be a cop since I was six, but in graduate school I found that being a secret agent is much more satisfying. So, here I am: a 22-year-old who will pretend to be a senior in a high school to be friend with the children of one of the biggest drug dealers in the United States of America.

«It won't be easy, Agent Evans.» I never understand why he calls me by name first, as if we were friends, and then Agent Evans, but I avoid asking why I don't want to go ten feet underground. Steven Gonzalez is the most daring man I've ever seen in life ever: broad shoulders and muscles that you can see even when dressed, blue eyes and big, pronounced jaw and arms that could break you in two. I am stronger than many men my age, but that doesn't mean I'm not madly afraid of him. I don't even admire him: I don't like him using terror to be a good boss with us agents. «But this isn't your first undercover case. Is this the third time?»

«The fourth.» I correct him, with a shrug. I'll have to make friends with William and Paris Collins. Respectively brother and sister, he is one year older than her and is in the last year of high school, while she is in the third. I will have to get close to get information about their life, what they know and above all to get to their father. If I succeed, we will be able to arrest him by the end of the summer. Considering it's late March, I have enough time to get close to the two of them and be able to catch Mr. Collins.

Steven Gonzalez nods. «Yes, well, that's all the same.» Maybe it does the same for the nut you find yourself as a brain, but not for me. I fake a smile. «This mission will be important to you. You have to reach out to Adam Collins, no matter how or what. Become William's best friend, date Paris or I don't know ... you see. Adam Collins must be arrested, did we understand each other?»

«Yes.» I have been preparing for this mission literally for months. If Steven chose me it's because I am one of the best agents in this field: the other three missions went perfectly, without any unexpected events. On the bright side, I was in New York before, while this mission will take place here in Los Angeles. Nobody knows me except the FBI people. This undercover will go smooth as oil, I can feel it. Among other things, it is much easier to deceive than kids like William and Paris: well-off and, therefore, 90% superficial.Probably he only talks about football and cheerleaders and she about new shoes bought the day before from Gucci. Not that my high school classmates were any different, let's be clear. I speak from experience, but obviously I don't want to pull all the eggs in one basket. I know there are exceptions, but William and Paris don't seem like that to me.

Steven nods and smiles a little, almost pitying. «I know it's a complicated time for you, Clyde, it's not easy to get back to work after what happened, but I hope it doesn't get in your way.» If only he knew that the news is neither hot nor cold, he might realize that we aren't that different. And that should scare me, but it doesn't.