“Some people I know.”
I watch Robert run a hand through his hair, a movement so similar to my best friend.
“Fuck,” I say before slamming a hand over my mouth. “I’m in trouble, aren’t I?”
Robert looks at me, a small smile on his mouth. He drops his head.
“I can’t stop what is going to happen next. I’ve tried,” he says, a sadness in his voice.
“Am I going to prison?”
My blood runs cold. Shit what will I say to Mum. She’ll be so disappointed in me. After everything she’s done, sacrificed.
“You’re in deep trouble. I’m not going to lie to you.”
“There are some people here who want to talk to you,” he says quietly. “Have you heard of ethical hackers?”
I nod. It’s what I’d class myself as. I’m certainly not an unethical hacker. I don’t abuse anyone with my skills. It’s more of the thrill of the experience, beating the system, or in the case of Redbourne, righting a potential wrong.
“There’s an agency that employs ethical hackers.”
It’s my turn to sit up.
“What sort of agency? You mean a government agency?”
He nods.
“Your skill set could be very useful to them.” He pinches his neck. “This is not what I wanted for you, but there’s only so much sway I have, and you, young lady, have developed quite the reputation.” He sighs. “This is the best I can offer. If not, it’s prison time, Pen. Your good deeds mean they can link you to several other hacks.”
“I destroyed all the evidence.”
“You may have done, but they’ll hound you. These people are powerful and relentless. You’ll never work in the computer industry, do what you dream of doing. It’s join them, or they’ll destroy any chance you have at building a secure future for you and your mother.”
“But Elijah and I are setting up our own company. I don’t need to be employed by anyone.”
He shakes his head, his expression in that one second letting me know how seriously I’ve messed up. My stomach knots, andI drop my head onto the table as I realise exactly what my getting caught means.
“There will be no business, no contracts. They’ll see to that. Your and Elijah’s business venture will be over before it even begins.”
I bang my forehead on the desk in front of me before sitting up and sinking back into my chair. The walls of the room close in around me. Elijah and I have worked for months and months on our business plan, produced a prototype of the security system we can offer. My skills have been useful in its development, not that Elijah understands or knows. He just knows my programming skills are off the charts.
“What do they want?” I whisper.
Robert leans forward and squeezes my hand before getting up and moving to the door, allowing two people to enter.
“It’s probably better if I let them explain.”
I drop back into my chair and watch as a man and a woman, both in dark suits, enter.
Shit just got real, and I know whatever they offer, I’m going to have to accept. I can’t go to prison. I can’t do that to Mum. Not after everything she’s given up for me.
“Miss Dawson, let us introduce ourselves. I’m The Seamstress,” the woman says, taking a seat opposite me. “This is Rooster.”
Welcome to my new future.
CHAPTER 19
PEN
