“Still as beautiful as ever, I see,” he says. “Don’t worry. We’ll get this done with plenty of time to spare.” He pulls back to look at me closer and tugs a loose strand of hair falling over my forehead.

“I like your new look and hair color. It reminds me of the girl I used to know. The boring librarian look you’re rocking these days at the ATF is quite scary.”

“I know. At least it keeps everyone off track about me.”

“You always were a smart girl.” He slings an arm around my shoulder. “So bring me up to speed on the mess you’re in now, Delilah. Don’t leave out anything.”

“First, I want to thank you for coming,” I say as we walk up the steps to the house. “I didn’t have anyone else to call, and you’re the smartest person I know.”

“I’m glad you called. So does this have anything to do with the undercover investigation you’ve been working on?”

“How do you know about that?” I ask.

“Surely you realize I keep tabs on everyone in our old group? I had a feeling you might need my help one day. Think of me as your guardian angel.”

“I always did. Too bad my parents didn’t feel the same way. I refused to speak to them for months when they filed the restraining order against you and the rest of the group.”

“You were seventeen, Delilah. A minor in the eyes of the law. As a parent, you would have done the same thing. They were only trying to protect you.”

“I know. But you were only twenty-two, not forty-two. I’m still upset that you were treated no better than a child predator.”

Erik smiles down at me and opens the door.

“No one ever believed us when we tried to explain it was all about the hacking. I miss those days. You learned so fast and challenged me to be better. Victor asked me about you the other day.”

“You spoke with him? Where is he?”

“Amsterdam. Could there be a better place?”

I laugh and shake my head. Victor was the third lead hacker in our group. He made it through our numerous marathon hacking sessions by smoking weed and drinking energy drinks. Amsterdam would suit him perfectly.

Erik glances around the living room.

“My crew looks like they’ve all found places to set up,” he says. “Tell me about these tapes that need cleaning. What are we doing?”

I let out a long sigh.