Night deepened.
Sophia Sullivan glanced at her wristwatch.
Midnight was still hours away.
The Underground Raceway wouldn't open until then.
She already had a plan.
Ethan Sullivan had given her his mother's heirloom.
Such kindness deserved repayment.
She decided to gather intel for him at the raceway.
But it was still early.
After a moment's thought,
she resolved to first recruit someone capable of restoring The Nexus' main program.
Sophia always acted decisively.
By the time she reached the raceway's vicinity,
the sunset was sinking below the horizon.
This was the most chaotic time of day.
Office workers hurried home.
Street vendors pushed carts through alleys.
All sorts of shady characters began emerging.
She turned into a familiar narrow lane.
Warehouses and apartments stood jumbled together.
The alleyways twisted like spiderwebs.
An elevator took her to the top floor of a studio apartment building.
Sophia walked to the end of the hallway.
She knocked lightly on the door.
An irritated female voice answered.
"I told you I'm working!"
"I'll pay the debt!"
"Do you have to harass me daily?"
Abigail Clementson yanked open the door, hair disheveled.
But it wasn't a debt collector.
A stunning stranger stood outside.
She blinked in surprise.
Studying the woman carefully,
she confirmed they'd never met.
"You've got the wrong place."
Abigail moved to shut the door.
"Wait."
Sophia leaned against the wall.
Her boot blocked the doorframe.
Keys jingled from her fingertips.
"Miss Clementson, you can't stop me."
Abigail's pupils constricted.
Those were her apartment keys!
"Who are you?"
Her nerves instantly tightened.
"Identity isn't important."
"What matters is you need money."
Sophia examined the woman before her.
Chestnut curls stuck out wildly.
Suspicion lurked behind black-framed glasses.
Her plaid shirt was faded from washing.
She looked ordinary and harmless.
"Breaking into homes is illegal."
Abigail glared at the intruder.
This woman clearly knew her—
otherwise she wouldn't know her surname.
If not a debt collector,
what did she want?
Sophia got straight to the point.
"Pine, twice infiltrated The Nexus."
"Left your code signature and escaped unscathed."
"If I'm here, I've done my homework."
She openly surveyed the apartment.
Aside from two computers, the place was bare.
Not even a proper sofa in sight.
"Aren't you inviting your guest in?"
Abigail nearly shoved her out.
"I don't know you!"
"Leave or I'll call for help!"
Sophia crossed her arms, amused.
As if daring her to shout.
"You won't."
Abigail clenched her teeth.
This woman knew she feared attracting debt collectors.
After hesitating,
she reluctantly stepped aside.
"Come in."
She roughly tousled her hair again.
Not that she trusted the stranger—
just sensed no malice.
"Miss Clementson, your skills are exceptional."
"Breaching The Nexus' firewall."
"You shouldn't be living like this."
Sophia narrowed her eyes.
"Any security firm would pay top dollar."
Yet Abigail was drowning in debt.
Highly unusual.
But it gave Sophia an opening.
Hearing repeated mentions of The Nexus,
Abigail worried this was retaliation.
"Youthful mistakes."
"Haven't touched that in years."
She offered a cheap soda.
"Only thing I have left."
Abigail laughed bitterly to herself.
With nothing left to lose,
even enemies couldn't harm her further.
"If you're here for revenge,"
"take whatever you want."
"The valuables are long gone."
Her smile turned sardonic.
Nothing left to fear.
"I know."
Sophia placed the keys on the table.
"Just lamenting wasted talent."
"The Nexus is offline now."
"I made a promise."
"No more database breaches."
Despite her disheveled state, Abigail remained principled.
"I may be useless and broke,"
"but I keep my word."
"You've wasted your trip."
Sophia rested her chin on her hand, smiling.
"Not wasted."
"I admire your skills."