Page 60 of Ignite

Message: I saw you give back once to those who lost. Here’s a part of what’s owed. I know you’ll do the right thing for the right people.

Jazz’s tears started again.

Anonymous: Yes, I will do that. Since you told me who are, I feel as though I should do the same.

Message: NO! Do not tell me your name or handle. I can’t keep you safe if I know who you are.

Jazz brought the burp towel to her face again with one hand while she typed.

Anonymous: Thank you.

There was really nothing more to say. She sat back in the chair and flipped the elephant towel over her shoulder. The worm kept moving farther and farther to the margins as the virus rode out its mission of destruction. When it was over, the worm turned in on itself and disappeared. The code for her virus went with it.

It was truly over.

Well, not yet.

She leaned forward and tapped into the money-stuffed account.

Yes, she knew what to do.

* * *

Nassar let outa long-held breath as the last of the criminal network vanished. He rapidly typed to erase the last few messages. The agent in charge had left the room to pee and grab a cup of the swill they called coffee, leaving Nassar just enough time to send a link to Anonymous. The officer had spent hours watching every keystroke Nassar made during this operation, but the past five minutes was just enough to get the message out about the money.

The constant surveillance was nothing more than what he expected. The time he’d spent when they first detained and interrogated him was worth this moment. His plea for asylum was ignored until they decided to take a chance on him. He’d spent days repeating over and over again how he wanted to help and had the means to do so. The drive he’d smuggled from the call center so many months ago turned out to be his ticket to freedom; otherwise, he would still be stuck in the specialized prison, praying and hoping for a miracle.

It came in the form of this anonymous user he stumbled onto while the agents watched him hack through the dark web. He didn’t know anything about this person, but something about their mannerisms made him think it was a woman on the other side of the keyboard.

He sensed a trust in her and hoped it wasn’t misguided.

The agents were interested in finding her and recruiting her to their cause. That would paint a big target on her back, bigger than the one she already carried. He hoped his actions would erase it and she could live a long, full life.

The agent entered the room and placed a cup of the noxious brew next to Nassar’s elbow. “You did well today. I don’t know how much of a pardon you’ll get, but I can say that the higher-ups will thank you for your work. Might even offer you a job.”

Nassar breathed a long sigh. “If I have to go to prison, I’ll do that. But I will not do any more of this kind of work. I just want to live a quiet life with my wife and my children.”

The agent took a swig of the brown liquid and grimaced. “Guh. Nasty.” He put the cup down and pulled at his tie. “Uncle Sam might have other plans. It would be in your best interest to listen to him.”

Nassar shook his head. “I will hear the words, but my mind is made up. I can’t be a part of this world anymore. I’ve hurt too many people and should make atonement.”

The other man grunted as he sat heavily in the chair next to Nassar. The plain room was soundproof and hack-proof, so anything said or done would be off the grid. “Atonement, eh? Maybe you should think about that. Wouldn’t working for us be a way to make things right?”

Nassar paused. “I hadn’t thought about it that way. Perhaps I should consider everything before deciding.”

The cybercrimes agent gestured to the keyboard. “What about your buddy there? Think they’d want a job?”

Nassar shook his head. “I don’t know who that person is, where they live, or anything about them. They’re so hidden I cannot find them.”

“That good, eh? We really should recruit that kind of talent.”

“That would be impossible, sir. There’s no way of finding them.”

“You sure?”

Nassar inclined his head. “I am very good at what I do. This person is much better.”

The agent sighed and shrugged. “It was worth a shot.”

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