Leah watched her parents hurry over to greet Kate Lange, who stood at the entrance to her room. Her parents had never looked their age until now. In fact, they didn’t just look their age, they appeared older. God. What had she done?

“Ms. Lange, you saved our daughter’s life today,” her dad said, his voice suddenly choking up. Hearing the catch in his voice made Leah’s throat close.

This lawyer was the only thing between her and prison, between shame and redemption. And Kate Lange had not only offered her a sliver of hope, but had literally saved her life. It was funny how a day ago, she had no idea who Kate Lange or her partner were, and now she and her family depended on them for her future.

She sent out a silent plea to the universe: please let the immunity deal go through. She couldn’t stand what she had done to her family.

Kate gave her father an embarrassed shrug. “I just had good timing.” She threw a glance at Leah. “I need to speak with Leah in private.”

“Of course.” Leah heard the lift of hope in her father’s voice. They, like her, were desperate for good news. As her parents left the room, her mother shot a glance at Kate Lange: Is everything okay?

But her lawyer’s gaze was neutral. After her parents had exited, Kate walked to the foot of her bed.

“Hi.” She searched Kate’s face. Her lawyer appeared somber. Not jubilant. “Did you hear from the Crown?”

“That’s why I’m here. They just called. The Crown ran a check on Aiden Boyne. The name was an alias. He doesn’t exist.”

Damn him.

Damn him for making a fool of her heart. Pain stabbed through her, but she wasn’t sure if it was from the bullet wound or the knowledge that she had thrown her future away for a man who didn’t even exist—and perhaps a principle that didn’t exist, either. “I should have trusted my gut.”

Kate’s gaze was compassionate. “If it’s any consolation, he’s obviously very adept at hiding his identity. The police are having a hard time cracking it.”

“What happens if they can’t find him?” Leah’s heart began to race. The monitor behind her beeped, warning that her one chance at redemption was rapidly slipping through her fingers.

“The Crown made it clear that if there was no suspect, and no laptop, there would be no deal. Do you know any of his friends or family who might know where he is?”

“No. He said that he came from Calgary. That he had just moved here. So he was still making friends.” It sounded so weak. But it made sense at the time.

“How about other hackers on the Forum? Would they know where to find him?”