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Delta. If I attack each layer of encryption by looking at their data transmissions in the form of differences between sequential data, rather than complete files . . . Oh my fuck. This could work.
“Uh, no need,” I stammer. “Kat’s family to me, which means you are, too.”
Ryan pushes back, and I quickly shut him down. But I can barely register our conversation because my brain is whirring and clacking. Could this be the elusive idea to finally crack the code that’s been stumping me, plaguing me, torturing me for weeks?
“I’ve got to run,” I blurt, cutting Ryan off mid-sentence. “Ryan, will you be at Climb & Conquer’s grand opening party next week?”
“I will.”
“Me, too. I’ll try to have the info for you by then.” This new idea is a Hail Mary, but whether it works or not, I’ll surely make it to Jonas and Josh’s big party. Hopefully, with victory and two million bucks in my pocket, rather than a humiliating goose egg.
Ryan is thanking me profusely, but I’m already tuned out. Delta. Holy fucking hell. Please, let this be the answer I’ve been waiting for.
I say goodbye to everyone and hang up, and then run around like a chicken with my head cut off. I throw on clothes, grab my phone, keycard, and jacket, and sprint out the door at top speed. There are always security personnel at the facility, day and night. I won’t be the first hacker to head down there late at night after inspiration has struck, but hopefully, at least for this project, I’ll be the last.
It’s late morning as I stand outside the facility with tears of joy and relief in my eyes. I’m so hungry and dehydrated, I feel like I’m about to fall over. So sleep-deprived, I can’t see straight. But there’s no way I’m going to wait till I get back to my hotel room to place a call to Hannah. Seattle is three hours behind DC, so Hannah’s probably getting ready for work right now. Please, please, pick up, Hannah.
Thankfully, she does. After only two rings.
“Hi, honey. Sorry I was already asleep when you texted last night.”
I’m shaking. On the cusp of bursting into tears. “I did it,” I whisper-shout, wiping my eyes.
“What?” she says. “I couldn’t hear you, honey.”
I take a deep breath and find my voice. “I did it. That thing I came to DC to do? I did it, baby. Just now.”
“Oh my god. Congratulations! I knew you could do it!”
“We’re set for life now, baby. I did it all by myself, which means the full reward is mine.”
“Oh my god!”
“Go into work today and quit. You hear me, baby? I want you to quit that soul-sucking job and clear your calendar for this entire week, because I’m coming straight to you.”
Hannah gasps. “Do you want me to meet you in LA?”
“No. We’ve got that grand opening party for Josh and Jonas in a week, remember? I’ll fly to Seattle on the first flight I can get, and from the second I land till we go to that party, I’m gonna be stuck to you like lovesick glue.”
27
HANNAH
“What do you want to do next?” Henn asks.
We’re sitting at a corner table in a small Mexican restaurant. Henn has just finished paying the check. Since he arrived in Seattle four days ago, we’ve spent every moment together, exactly as planned, and it’s been divine. Perfect. Fabulous. Every bit as magical as our first week together, months ago. Even more so, because we’re even more comfortable with each other now than we were back then. Plus, it’s been a blast to celebrate Henn’s whopping payday that landed in his account this morning.
I’m not surprised Henn is asking me what we should do next. Henn is pretty easy going, and I love playing cruise director, especially in my hometown. So, I often take the lead in terms of our activities, unless Henn says he’s got a surprise for me or something specific he wants to do.
“I’m uncharacteristically devoid of ideas,” I admit. “I’m down to do anything you’re in the mood to do. Anything at all.”
One side of Henn’s mouth tilts up. “Anything?”
“I mean, within reason. If you’re itching to push me off a cliff, or into a pit of vipers, then I’d like to amend my answer.”
Henn leans forward, his smirk morphing into a full-blown smile. “What if the thing I’m itching to do is heading back to your place and watching you ride a Sybian?”
Well, well, well. I suppose I should have expected him to ask about that at some point, given our prior conversations on the topic, but I honestly forgot such a machine even existed.
Henn looks like he’s trying very hard not to look too excited. But there’s no need. I’m pretty damned excited, too. I ask, “Do you know where we can get one?”
