Cape Crossed

Chapter Nineteen

"That's twice Hijack has cornered me. Twice." Hannah snapped looking at Zach expectantly. "How does this keep happening?"

Zach glanced around the crowded coffee shop then back to her. "Could you lower your voice?" He leaned back in his seat trying to track Claudia and Magda as they waited at the counter. "It's no wonder you're getting cornered with that big mouth."

Hannah slumped back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest. "I don't think you're taking this seriously enough," she grumbled.

"We're doing everything we can to keep you safe but there's only so much we can do Hannah," Zach tried to assure her. He scooted over a seat to let Claudia sit next to him while Magda took the seat by Hannah. They slid the coffees across to them and settled in.

"The real question is, why does he keep going after you but not really doing anything to you?" Magda wrapped her slender fingers around her latte. She'd tucked her gold curls up in a tight bun and was still in her work clothes. The only thing out of place was the engagement ring on a chain around her neck rather than on her finger.

"I...I think I have an idea why but it's crazy," Hannah mumbled. They all leaned in and she took a deep trembling breath. "I think Hijacks partner is Jake's friend."

"Really?" Zach pulled out his phone and scrolled through it quickly. He kept it tilted towards himself and scrolled through it quickly. "Which friend?"

"What do you mean which?" Hannah jumped up and dragged her chair around to look over his shoulder. "You have a list of Jake's friends?"

"We have lists about everyone," Zach admitted. "Which friend?"

"Warren Locke," Hannah whispered, eyeing a woman passing by. She watched Zach make a note and send a request for information but nothing else. "That's all you're doing?"

"I can't just take information from places Hannah, there are protocols," Zach insisted. He set his phone to the side and took his tea to take a testing sip.

"You know, sometimes I think Hijack and the others have the right idea. They take what they want when they need it, skip the middle stuff, and get the answers faster," Hannah grumbled.

Claudia shook her head at her. "When you begin to bend the rules you warp them from their original shape until it's unrecognizable what side of the line you began on."

"What she said...but maybe not quite so melodramatic," Zach teased.

"Still, I wouldn't mind having a guy like Hijack on our side," Hannah mused. The door opened and closed and they all glanced at it for just a second. They settled down again when the background chatter picked up.

"But he breaks the law every chance he gets," Magda pointed out, rubbing her thumb over her ring.

"Just some theft though. That's stuff he could work off in the right programs isn't it?" Hannah asked. Her eyes scanned the table looking for someone to agree. "I'm just saying, he's calm, smart and pretty handy with a computer. Neat gadgets too."

"Is this your way of telling me I suck at my job?" Zach scoffed. Beside him, Claudia groaned and pulled out her phone. "Don't you groan at me."

"Must you always be so insecure in your own worth Zachary?" she muttered.

"I don't know what you're talking about!" They went back and forth poking at each other while Hannah watched trying not to laugh. Magda tugged at her sleeve to get her attention.

"How can you be sure Hijack isn't dangerous?" Magda leaned forward trying to keep her voice low and Hannah followed her lead.

"I just have a feeling. Plus, if he'd really wanted to hurt me for information he wouldn't have hesitated. He was actually almost charming." Hannah shrugged and peeked down at her watch.