Chapter 24

JACQUES

“I am disappointed,” said the hooded figure.

Jacques did not reply.

The figure continued in its strange low falsetto. “That woman had nothing to do with what you were asked. To defy me for personal reasons…and worse, to get caught.”

Jacques hung his head. The former did not bother him, but the latter was mortifying. He resisted the temptation to say “well, you should have trained me better.” That would only meet with further punishment, and besides, it wasn’t true. The stealth and dexterity training he had received from the hooded figure over the years was impeccable. But Titus had not cared — had found him and knocked him out before he even knew he was being followed. How dangerous was that man of the Wastes? Jacques had not expected so much of him.

Jacques was also jealous, he realized in that moment. How could he compete with that? It was no wonder Celeste wanted the big man. If he had just had time to talk to her, though…to tell her what had happened all those years ago. He still hadn’t forgiven the hooded figure for robbing him of Celeste.

“…compromised,” the hooded figure was saying. Jacques looked up, to feign listening. Surely the hooded figure would realize he wasn’t paying attention…but didn’t seem to. Perhaps Jacques’ counterfeiting was up to snuff after all.

Jacques rubbed his forehead. The scar still hurt. It had not been until he had looked in a mirror that he had seen the level of humiliation. Etched in small capital letters with expert daggerwork — had Celeste done this?! There was no way the Wastelander had this kind of precision, was there? Jacques could not even entertain the thought of Titus having yet another skill, even though it made a horrible amount of sense — was the word “FAILURE.” For all to see. As penance, the hooded figure had forbidden him to cover it.

“…Corps are being handled.” The hooded figure finished speaking.

“Oui,” said Jacques. “I will, ah, return to Omni then, and do as you say.”

But first, their meeting now concluded, he would find a headband. Or a hat. Or even some makeup. Jacques was not accustomed to failure, but just like the first (and only other) time, he covered it up and pretended it had not happened.