“The justice system failed Leah, Ms. Lange. She’s a good person. A person who obeys the law and respects it. But the law had continually thrown whistleblowers under the bus. So she felt like she had no choice. And I feel like I have no choice. I convinced her to join the Forum. And if she goes down, so does every other hacktivist who is trying to change things that corrupt people refuse to change. I can’t leave her—and everyone else who believes in the principles of the Forum—to pay the price for this.”

There was nothing else to say to Matt. She had warned him, cautioned him against his decision, and must now let him follow his conscience. “Time is of the essence, Matt. If the police find him before we do, they have no incentive to give Leah immunity.”

“I’ll message him now.” There was a renewed vigor in Matt’s voice.

“Call me after you meet with him. And then I’ll come get the laptop.” Kate slid her phone into her pocket, her thoughts preoccupied with Matt and Aiden. Matt sounded so confident that he could get the upper hand with Aiden. But Kate wasn’t so sure. Aiden had proven expert at manipulation. And right now, every player in this case revolved around his actions. Could Matt be the one to reverse the power dynamic?

The kitchen was quiet, the night peaceful. Her dogs had relaxed against her legs. The warmth of their two bodies soothed her.

Her bed called to her.

Duty called even louder. She dialed Eddie’s number. To her relief, he answered on the first ring.

“I’ve got my first legal ethics dilemma, Eddie.”

“Let’s hear it.” Eddie’s voice sounded blurry.

“I spoke to Matt about Aiden Boyne and asked him if he could try cracking his identity.”

“And…”

“He told me that he was actually in Halifax, that he possessed Leah’s laptop, that Joey took it, and that he could arrange to meet with Aiden tonight.”

Eddie gave a low whistle. “What a mess for the Roberts family. Although it’s good news that we might be able to deliver the laptop to the police.”

“Agreed. But I’m wondering if we have a duty to disclose to the police that we know of a potential meeting between Matt and Aiden Boyne, or would that breach our duty of confidentiality to Leah?”

“An interesting question: the risk to public safety from a fugitive versus our duty to our client. First of all, do you know Aiden Boyne’s exact whereabouts?”

“No.”

“Do you know Matt’s whereabouts?”

“No. I think he’s in hiding.”

“The police would take him in to custody if they could find him. Which could potentially implicate Leah in an elevated charge.” Eddie inhaled deeply, a sure sign he was ruminating over a cigarette. “Do you think he’s capable of murder?”