I don’t know what to say to that. He’s glad that I was here when intruders came? He’s glad that my life was at stake? Is he crazy?
“When stuff like that happens, you just have to fly by the seat of your pants. You’re obviously a quick thinker and good on your feet.”
I’m trying not to warm at his compliment, but it’s difficult. Who doesn’t like to be called a quick thinker?
“Well, I sent a text to my sister, and I called Dev before I called nine-one-one, so I don’t know how cool I actually was.”
He looks up at me for a moment. “Really? That’s awesome. You’re even better than I thought you were.”
I refuse to smile, even though I definitely feel complimented now. It doesn’t feel like that big a deal to make a couple calls. Anyone would have done what I did. “Why? I don’t get it.”
“You didn’t freeze up. You didn’t panic. You just saw the situation, and you handled it. You did exactly the right thing.”
“I felt like I was completely out of my element, and that I was doing everything wrong.”
He stops working to focus on me. “No, absolutely not. I know you haven’t had any training in this kind of thing, in security work of any kind, but I think you’re a lot like your sister. I think you’re a natural.”
“I don’t get why you think my sister is a natural. I mean, she’s a great photographer, nobody’s debating that, but she’s not a ball buster.”
He points to the computer screen. “Am I done here?”
I type in a new command and then nod when it finishes five seconds later. “Yep. We’re done.”
Lucky powers down and closes his laptop. As he disconnects it from the server and packs it into his case, he responds. “Being a ball buster only comes in handy once in a great while. What we need on our team, what we consider an asset, is somebody who can think on her feet, who has quick reflexes and a sharp mind. Somebody who’s observant, who can evaluate a situation, and on-the-fly make the right decision on how to deal with it. Your sister, from the moment she walked through our doors, was able to do that. You really can’t train that stuff. You’re either that kind of person or you’re not.” He focuses on me with a very serious expression. “We can work from a certain base and improve on it, but if you don’t have the base to begin with, there’s not much we can do. Your sister was born with that, and now I know you were too.” He shrugs as he throws his computer case’s strap over his shoulder.
“Lucky, I don’t mean to be rude, but I have to tell you . . . I was scared shitless when those people were in here. I’m not so sure I have this fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants base you’re talking about.”
“So? So was I. That’s a totally natural reaction. If you had reacted any other way, I’d worry about you.”
“Do you mean to tell me that every time you guys are faced with a conflict, you’re scared?”
Lucky puts his heavy hand on my shoulder and stares me down. “Never underestimate the power of fear, Jenny. Fear keeps you alive. And if you’re special, fear helps you focus. Fear helps you zero in on the solution that you need to execute immediately. May has that instinct. I think you do too. But we’re gonna let Dev and Ozzie decide if I’m right.” He lets me out of his grip and moves to leave the server room.
I rush to fall in behind him. Just the sound of that man’s name makes me feel calmer. “Why does Dev decide?”
“Dev is our trainer, but not just with physical training. It also includes mental training. Dev can usually tell pretty early on whether somebody has the mental strength to handle the entire training package.”
Now I have a bunch of questions, but I’m afraid that every single one of them is going to sound like me seeking compliments. So instead of asking anything, I just mull over what he said. We collect all of our things from the first desks where we started, turn out the lights, and head down the hall together.
“Are you sure it’s safe to go out there?” I ask.
“I’m going to double-check before we open the door.” Lucky takes out his phone and sends a text. A few seconds later there’s a response and he nods. “We’re good to go. Stay behind me.”
I sigh loudly.
He pauses. “What? What’s wrong?”
“Why do you tell me to stay behind you if everything is okay?”
He grins at me. “Wouldn’t want you to get lazy on me.”
I give him a glare. “You’re so lucky I don’t believe in hitting.”
He dips his head back and laughs. “That’s why they call me Lucky. Because I am.”
We walk out into the sultry night together to an empty parking lot. After locking the door behind us, Lucky makes his way over to his vehicle. I wait for him to unlock the doors and get inside.
“Do you think those two were wondering what this car was doing here?” I ask.
“I doubt it. People leave their cars in this industrial area all the time for different reasons. And if they were, so what? Right now they have bigger problems to focus on.”