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"Relax, I'm not annoyed. And I never believed you were a co-conspirator." I tuck my legs under me while I contemplate whether I should pester him for information right now. My curiosity makes the decision for me. "Could I ask you a few personal questions?"
"Go on."
"What exactly did you do at the Ministry of Defence? You said you were a geospatial analyst, but I don't understand what that means."
He slouches down in his chair and stares at the fireplace, where no fire is lit. "Geospatial analysis is bloody boring, for the most part. I found it fascinating because it's like a giant puzzle. I spent most of my time studying imagery from satellites, aerial photography, and ground-based imaging systems to hunt for signs of unusual activity. My job was focused on intelligence gathering."
"You were a spy?"
"I was never labeled as such."
Not exactly an answer, but I understand that he probably can't talk about the secret things he did as part of his job. So, I take a slightly different tack. "I've never heard of geospatial analysis. If you're comfortable talking about the basics of it, rather than your specific job, I'd be interested in listening."
Thane wriggles in his seat until he's sitting upright. Then he rests his arms on the chair and sets one knee atop the other. "During my final year at the University of Edinburgh, I was contacted by an official from the MOD who encouraged me to join the army's geospatial science program. I had been studying computer science at university. The recruiter had taken notice of my excellent scores on various tests throughout my academic career before and during my university studies."
"Wow. You must have had impressive scores to draw that kind of attention."
He shrugs. "I've always been good at crossword puzzles and similar sorts of things. And I did do very well with computers. Never imagined I'd wind up in a job that required a top-secret clearance. That's all I can tell you about my specific duties."
"Can you tell me more in general terms?"
"Aye." He gazes out the window while he talks. "I joined the army after graduation. Then I went through the standard program, which meant twenty-three weeks of basic training at Harrogate, a military facility in England. After that came even more training, first at the Royal School of Military Engineering in Surrey for twelve weeks and then a stint at the Defence School of Transport in Leconfield. And finally, I was sent to the Royal School of Military Survey in Berkshire, where I studied every aspect of geospatial science."
"That's a lot of hoops to jump through before you actually got the job."
"Didn't matter to me. I did what was required. Would've gone through even more training, if necessary, because I wanted the job that much."
I suddenly realize I've scooted forward on the sofa and set my feet on the carpeted floor. I'm leaning forward too. Yeah, hearing about Thane's past has me on the edge of my seat, for sure. "Did you stay in England after all that training?"
"Aye. I was sent to the DIO---the Defence Infrastructure Organisation. That's where I served for most of my career."
He can't tell me more. Of that I'm positive. I understand the limitations. Classified jobs come with all sorts of restrictions, but I can't deny I wish he could tell me everything. His former career sounds fascinating. But more than that, he fascinates me. I've never been so enthralled by any other man. Maybe enthralled isn't the right word, since that makes me sound like a brainwashed groupie. It's more that he intrigues me.
I realize, though, that I haven't asked Thane about another enigma concerning him. Several enigmas, actually. He's a mysterious man. "What did you do when you left the army? Did you go straight to opening a distillery?"
"No. I needed time to readjust to civilian life, so I spent several years taking whatever work I could get." He finally turns his gaze to me. "For a while, I did odd jobs for whoever needed my help. I took on tasks from cabinetry to mucking out barns to tailoring and even getting the messages for elderly people."
"You handled their mail?"
"No," he says with a slight laugh. "In Scotland, 'messages' are groceries."
"Oh, I see. The word messages doesn't sound like Gaelic, so I'm guessing I need to learn both Gaelic and regular Scottish slang."
"Gaelic isn't prominent in Scotland, though it's a wee bit more popular in the Western Highlands." He stretches his legs out, crossing his ankles in a posture that implies he's very relaxed. I doubt that's an act. When his lips curl into a soft smile, my point is proved. "Tell me, gràidh, how did you come to be a marketing expert?"
"I told you that already. I skipped college and went straight to work. Donna Wallace was my mentor."
"Aye, ye told me that. But you have created complex campaigns for various types of businesses, and those campaigns nearly always were successful. I reckon what I'm asking is how does that brain of yours work?"
"Just like everyone else's."
He shakes his head. "No, you are not like everyone else."
"I suppose that's true for everyone. We are all unique individuals."
"Some people are dead boring and not unique at all."
Well, he's got me on that point. But I stand by my belief that most people are unique and talented in some aspect of their lives. "I guess I'm the hopelessly optimistic type. Human beings can surprise you in amazing ways once in a while."
