I turn to Elijah, who’s already pulling up the hotel security footage.
“Oh fuck,” I say, taking in the man’s face, who stares directly at the camera.
“You know him?”
I nod. “But he’s a ghost. A hacker for hire.”
He’s also supposed to be on our team.
“You know who he is?”
“I do,” I admit, not wanting to lie to Elijah but knowing I can’t give him any more information.
What the hell?
I recognised his coding style from the code inserted into the Frazer Security code, but to have hit the Frazer Hotel chain as well...
Something is definitely going on.
“You go, see if you can help Kat reinstall the backups. Ensure nothing else is amiss.”
I step forward and into Elijah’s arms, our lips meeting.
Elijah pulls back and cups my cheek. His eyes stare into mine.
“Take care. I love you.”
I smile up at him.
“I love you too. Watch out. Someone is out for you. This cannot be a coincidence.”
I call a taxi and make my way to the Frazer Hotel Kat mentioned.
My phone rings, Caller ID unknown.
“Tailor?” a man says.
“What the hell are you doing?”
“Saving your bacon and probably several hours of work.”
“I got your message.Subtle!” I add with an influx of sarcasm.
Seeing his face staring back at me was not something I expected. Not when we’re supposed to be on the same team. We’ve also been trained to remain undetected. He was taking a big risk.
“Mind telling me what the fuck is going on and how you’re involved?”
“I was trying to prevent a disaster without tipping my hand. I thought the email delay was quite genius.” His smug tone makes me want to hit someone. “A thanks for the heads up, would be nice.”
“You always were alittleprick, Needle.”
He chuckles. “Not very original.”
“I wasn’t trying to be. I’m stating a fact.”
“Look, I knew you’d handle the code issue. It’s your level of expertise, after all. I couldn’t give myself away. I’m deep undercover, you know that. Seamstress would not have thanked me for blowing years of prep. Not when I’m this close.”
I know he’s right, and I appreciate what he’s done. But thank you is not something one says in our line of work. The connotations are too high. Owing someone.
