Page 118 of Jonas

Derrika rose. Penny did as well, her movements much slower and guarded.

“You’re safe here, Penny,” I told her.

“I’m not normally like this,” she blurted.

“Like what?”

“This.” She motioned to herself. “I’m not normally a stuttering mess and jumpy.”

“Well, it’s not every day a girl finds a massive breach at the NSA, drives like a bat out of hell, and speaks to the President…and all in one day.”

Penny gave a tentative smile to Derrika. “You’re right.”

When Derrika got close, I tagged her hand, and didn’t let go until I helped her back into her chair. It was an awkward descent down the stairs in a tight space, but I wanted to touch her and since I could, I did.

Kira didn’t delay launching right in. “Since you’re here, I could use your help.”

Even though Kira was looking right at Penny she still asked, “Me?”

“Yeah. I’ve got searches coming out of my ears, and since I have a feeling you’re…better than I am and an untraceable hack.” Kira rushed out the last part. “I could use some help.”

Penny looked unsure for a moment before she nodded. “Set me up on a computer.”

Before Kira could pull out another laptop, Zane butted in. “Do you understand what’s happening here?”

Penny’s face lost some of its color but she soldiered through. “Yes. The bridges. The power outage. The breach. Someone is attacking the US.”

“Not just someone, the Chinese. Kira’s asking you to break about fifty laws. Most of them, felonies. We need your help, but you can walk away now and I’ll set you up in a safehouse. You’ll be protected.”

“I want to help.”

“It’d be smarter if you didn’t,” Zane pushed.

“And what?” she huffed. “Sit back and allow more people to get hurt? More classified information to be leaked? You might think I’m an idiot because I’m freaked right the hell out, but I’m not. I’m scared, but I’m not a coward. I don’t care how many felonies I commit. As long as I can help, I’m in.”

Zane dipped his chin, clearly impressed Penny wasn’t going to back down.

“Get her a computer. Derrika, make your call and set up your meeting with Natalie. With any luck, Cash and Lore will have Rutte in a few hours and we’ll have more answers.”

“Senator Rutte?” Penny inquired. “I saw him yesterday.”

Zane pinned Penny with a glare. To her credit, she didn’t cower under his scrutiny. “Where’d you see him?”

“Outside of work. My boss, Ryan Clarkson, was talking with him in front of the Op One building.”

“We need that security footage. Do you think you can get it?”

Penny’s eyes went wide. “Break into the NSA security feed?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m sure I can. Not getting caught⁠—”

“Don’t worry about that. I got you,” Kira said with a smile.

“Message Shep, he needs to check out Ryan Clarkson. Anything you can tell us about him?”

“He’s my boss and not the kind who shares about his life with those he works with. I know he has a wife because he wears a ring. I couldn’t tell you if he has children or what his hobbies are or anything about him and I’ve worked with him for five years. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile or give praise, but he’s quick to reprimand if a project isn’t completed and the report isn’t on his desk the minute it was due.”