We’ve been patient, Ansel.
The Firm likes to think it’s indestructible, and maybe as an institution, it is.
But, as you can see, its members are not.
There’s a roaring noise in my ears as I type the same question I sent earlier.
ANSEL
What do you want from me?
UNKNOWN
We want what everyone wants from you, Ansel—information. Names of those The Firm has worked with. Who their connections are. The senators and judges they have in their pockets. We want all the dirt on everyone.
I glance up at Cade. He’s drumming his fingers on the counter, watching the barista like a hawk as she adds my whipped cream.
There’s no way I’m betraying them. I’ll die before doing that. I just need to hold him off long enough to get Cade out of here. Once we’reback at Wylder’s, I can tell him everything. I don’t want him involved, but it’s too late for that.
Cade is involved, and his life is the one on the line. I’ll do whatever I need to to protect him.
ANSEL
I can’t get any of that.
UNKNOWN
We both know that’s not true.
A hacker like you can get anything.
Sweat rolls down my brow.
ANSEL
Their systems are unbeatable.
UNKNOWN
Lies. Even your little friend Neo was able to override them.
Shit. How long have these fuckers been watching me? And how fucking closely?
That’s when it hits me. The house is compromised. It has to be. That’s the only way they’d know about Neo overriding their systems.
UNKNOWN
That’s right, Ansel. We know everything. The pie in that bitch’s face was a nice touch.
Heat is washing over me as the whole room shrinks. They’ve been watching the house. They know. Somehow, they know what’s happening inside it.
ANSEL
If you’ve got access to the cameras, you can get everything else. You don’t need me.
It’s a bluff, a helpless shot in the dark, but I’m desperate. I’m scrambling. I just need time. A few seconds where I can fuckingthink.
UNKNOWN
