“And I’m fresh off a ranch in Saskatchewan, Wynter.”
She pouts. “We have to trust authority figures at some point?—”
Victoria snorts. “You know that’s not true.”
When they share a look, Wynter sags. “Yeah. I guess I do.”
“I don’t. I trust authority figures,” Pecan chimes in.
“Yeah, because they’ve never fucked things up before for us. We’re rich, white kids, Pecan. That’s our privilege talking,” Zach counters.
Callan cackles. “Because Victoria, Shay, Wynter, and Iaren’trich, white kids too? Ha!”
With my comrades disillusioned, I confess, “Well, my idea just nose-dived.”
Shay rests an elbow on the table. “I’m still listening…”
I glance at Callan then Shay and Victoria. “You really know people who can get into places they shouldn’t be sniffing around?”
Callan cracks his knuckles. “I broke into the CSIS last year and no one knew. I got you, D.”
“What’s the CSIS?”
Zach slaps Pecan upside the head. “Our CIA, dumbass.”
“You’re that good with…”
“Hacking? Yep!”
Of course, he’s preening.
Why do I feel as if I just rolled back another layer on Callan Korhonen’s onion-like personality?
“And my uncle can get into places where Callan can’t,” Shay assures me, his voice pitched low.
Callan glances at him. “You have a handle for him?”
Victoria and Shay share a look, but she’s the one who murmurs, “acOOOOOOig.”
When Callan’s hand goes to his throat like he’s clutching at pearls, my lips quirk. “I take it that’s good?”
Callan squeaks.
Yet more confirmation.
Zach snorts. “Lex is coming over, Callan. I’d get your voice back. Stat.”
He gulps. Then breathes, “TheacOOOOOOig?”
“Yup.” Shay shrugs. “So, Denver, what’s the plan?”
I stare at his cool expression, take in the curiosity gleaming in Victoria’s eyes, and I begin: “Well, first, we…”
FORTY-TWO
OAKWOOD CREW
Callan: Making a group chat now that we’re partners in crime and D, Z, and P have gone to Florida for the holidays
