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.‘Meet Harry Gold,’ Michael said.‘The new you.’Zak continued to stare at the documents.They made him feel incredibly uneasy and he was only half listening as Michael continued to talk.‘When I say “the new you”, what I mean is one of them.Part of your training, Zak, will be to assimilate new identities, quickly and thoroughly.Harry Gold has not led a very interesting life, but even dull lives are full of facts.You need to know everything about him – not just the big things, like where he lives or what schools he’s been to, but the little things too.His favourite food.What he likes to watch on TV.We have planted these little nuggets of information in the public domain, to make Harry seem like a real person.If somebody suspects you’re not who you say you are, they’ll test you by asking you about one of these inconsequential facts.And let’s just say it’ll be the kind of test where only ten out of ten will do.Do you understand?’Zak nodded.‘Only four people in the whole world will know your real identity, Zak, and three of them are standing in the room right now.’‘Who’s the fourth?’ Zak demanded.Michael carried on as if he hadn’t spoken.‘It will be necessary for other people to know of your existence, but not of your identity.They will know you only by the codename Agent 21.’‘Why 21?’ Zak asked.‘What happened to Agents 1 to 20?’A bland smile from Michael, and again he continued as though Zak hadn’t even said anything.‘For the next few weeks, you will undergo a rigorous training schedule.Raf and Gabs will be your new teachers.Apart from them and myself, the only person you might see is an old man called Stan.He lives in a hut on the beach, and it’s his job to make sure nobody arrives on this island without us knowing, and to take occasional deliveries of supplies – we don’t want you starving, after all.If you see anyone else, it’s time to worry.Is that clear?’Zak blinked.This was all going so fast.Too fast.He didn’t know who these people were.He didn’t know if he could trust them.He was beginning to think he’d made a terrible mistake.‘I want to go home,’ he said.The other three exchanged a long look.‘People in your position always say that at first,’ Michael said quietly.‘It’s quite impossible, of course, but you knew that all along, didn’t you?’Zak didn’t answer, so Michael continued as if nothing had happened.‘Good.Pay attention to Raf and Gabs, Zak.Everything they teach you will have the potential to save your life.’ He fixed Zak with a steely glare.‘I just hope you’re as fast a learner as they say.’Zak looked at the three of them in turn.They all looked deadly serious as they returned his gaze.Me too, thought Zak.Me too.But he didn’t say it.He stuffed the documents back into their envelope.‘Isn’t there something you’ve forgotten?’ he asked.Michael raised an eyebrow.‘When we met in the park, you said you’d tell me about my parents.’A silence descended on the room.He was aware of Raf and Gabs glancing briefly at each other.Michael turned and walked over to the window, where he looked out towards the sea.‘As time goes on, Zak,’ he said, ‘you’ll learn that too much information can be a dangerous thing.’Zak felt himself flaring up.‘No way,’ he said.‘You told me—’Michael turned and held up one palm.‘Please, Zak, let me finish.Too much information can be a dangerous thing.So can too little.What is important is that you know what you need to know.’‘I need to know about my parents.’‘And you will,’ said Michael, his voice calm, ‘when the time is right.’‘No!’ Zak shouted.‘We had a deal.You said you’d tell me.You better had, otherwise I’m leaving.I don’t care what you say.’‘Leaving?’ Michael said.‘And how exactly do you propose to do that, Zak? I know you’re a clever lad, but I’d be surprised if your skills extended to the flying of helicopters just yet.And the water really is rather choppy for swimming.’Zak felt a twist in his stomach.‘And even if you do make it back,’ Michael continued, ‘what will you tell people? They certainly won’t believe you about us, and if you can’t come up with anything convincing, I’m afraid the only conclusion they’re likely to come to is that you were in some way involved in the robbery of your uncle and aunt’s house.’Zak stared at him in disbelief; Michael avoided his gaze.‘Of course, I doubt your relatives would want to extend their hospitality to you if that were the case.You could always be fostered, and it’s true that there are some excellent care homes, but I’m not sure that’s a better option than 63 Acacia Drive, is it?’Zak continued to stare.He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.Michael had trapped him, and there was no way he could get away.Michael continued talking as mildly as if he was discussing the weather.‘I have instructed Raphael and Gabriella to identify your weaknesses and build on your strengths.We have everything here that we need to do this [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]