“It’s okay. You’re right to ask. You were a kid, and there were things you didn’t know about. Adult things.” He was seventeen, almost eighteen, at the time, but apparently that still hadn’t been adult enough for the much “older and wiser” adults.

He leaned forward and pressed his hand over hers. “What adult things?”

She pulled her hand away and her frown deepened. “I don’t see how it could have anything to do with the vandalism.”

“Just tell me.”

“No. It doesn’t matter. I can’t.” Tears welled in her eyes. This wasn’t how Alex had hoped their conversation would go.

“Can’t tell him what?” Ron stepped into his workshop and crossed his arms.

TWENTY

End Hunger Games”?

Of course her father would have come up with something so creative and inspiring that would end with employees delivering the nonperishable items won at the event to local food banks. But Mackenzie was no archer and missed her target in this sort-of tag challenge incorporated into a rigorous boot camp–style obstacle course.

But maybe this wasn’t a waste of time and participating would help her find the insider who’d facilitated the gateway to cybercrime at Hanstech. Beyond that, Nora’s life could be at risk, and Mackenzie didn’t like the idea of her sister running around in the woods. She thought she and Nora would do the course together, but that hadn’t happened.

Where are you, Nora?

Alex would be furious with this turn of events since he believed she was safe inside the building—the only reason he was willing to leave her.

Just make it through.

The activity would end at some point. Right? Well, maybe not soon enough. Sweat poured from her as she climbed a rope and swung across a small creek, then fell onto the other side, her head barely missing a rock. The two-mile course had been created to start about a mile from the Hanstech campus. She’d guess all these people participating were in shape, had practiced many times. A woman ran past her.

Red team.

Mackenzie was on the blue team.

Another red team member ran past—a guy this time. His Nerf archery gear was attached to his back. You had to keep all your gear throughout the obstacle course. He didn’t stop to offer a hand and help her up. Of course—it was red against blue. Why would he?

She pushed up onto all fours, pulling her face from the well-beaten path of the obstacle course where many a shoe had roamed.

“You okay?” A man thrust out his hand.

He was on the blue team too. “Thanks, but I’m good.”

She hopped to her feet as if she had all the energy in the world. At least when she finally returned to Michigan, she knew to up her physical fitness game.