Chapter 3 The Leak (and the close call)

The Uber squealed as it dodged a delivery truck. Ava clutched the door, phone glued to her ear. "Mia, tell the Tribune I'm gonna be, like, five minutes late. We're super close."

"Traffic's a total mess, Ms. Locke," Mia replied, sounding stressed. "Julian's already on stage. The stream's live!"

Ava shot a look at Kane, fingers flying on his laptop. "How's the clip looking?"

"It's good. But if I send it right now, it'll be traced back to me. Julian's team will bury it-or worse, say I made it up."

Ava's brain went into overdrive. "We need a way around that. Someone who isn't a part of this. A fake account! Or, a blogger! Someone the press can't just ignore."

Kane looked up, eyes lighting up. "I think I know someone! A tech journalist. She's been digging into Hart Media for weeks. She'll spread the words fast. But we gotta get her the stuff ASAP."

The Uber screeched to a stop. Ava jumped out. "Let's move! Your lab is closer than her place. We can get the file and then meet her."

Kane followed, his coat flying. "My lab's on the 42nd floor. Security's tight around there, we need keycards."

Ava whipped out a swipe card from her bag-her dad's, which she grabbed from his desk. "Got one! Let's go!"

The Voss Tech lobby was dead, except for a guard glued to his phone watching the live stream: "Julian Hart to Give Big Lawsuit Announcement Against Rival CEO."

Ava slapped on a smile. "Morning, Frank. My dad forgot his laptop. We'll be quick."

Frank waved them on, not really paying attention. "Go on up, Ms. Locke."

The elevator was silent. Kane stared at the numbers, jaw tight. If this works, then Julian is screwed, But if this doesn't..."

"It will." Ava said, trying to act normal .

The 42nd floor was dim, lit by the lab's monitors. Kane led her to his office, punching in a door code. Inside, he pulled up some files, typing quickly. "Okay, got it! It's original and not changed at all. It matches the hack. Julian's face is on clear display-"

Ava's phone buzzed. A text from her mom:

"Where are you? Julian's waiting. This is bad."

She didn't answer. "Send it to the journalist. Do it!"

Kane attached the file and tapped "send". "Done. She'll, uh, post it real soon. By the time Julian's done talking, it'll be everywhere."

Ava sighed with relief. "Okay, let's-"

A loud CLICK echoed.

They froze.

The door creaked open.

"Who's there?" someone yelled. Security.

Kane grabbed Ava's hand, pulling her behind a big server rack. "Quiet," he mumbled.

Footsteps got closer. A flashlight flashed around the room.

Ava's heart was pounding. If they were caught, the hack would be traced back to Kane, and Julian would call it a lie.

The flash got closer.

Kane held her hand tighter.

She looked up at him. His face was close to hers. His eyes held determination.

He mouthed: "Trust me!"

Ava nodded.

The security guard's radio squawked. "All good on 42. Just a glitch."

The footsteps faded. The door clicked shut.

Kane breathed out. "Damn, that was close."

Ava laughed, shaking. "You're bad at being a criminal!

He smirked, "I'm a tech one, I hack, not hide."

Their hands were still together. Ava didn't try to let go.

Her phone pinged again. This time, with some news:

"BREAKING: Security Footage-- Julian Hart Allegedly Breaking into Rival's Lab."

Kane's phone pinged. He checked it, and grinned at her, "It's up! The Tribune is repeating it. Julian's press thing just, well, it stopped.

Ava pulled up the live stream. Julian was red-faced, as reporters shouted questions. "This is a lie!" he yelled. "Voss is lying! It's fake!"

Kane scoffed. "It's not fake, he knows it! Now everyone else does."

Ava felt like she could fly! They'd done it. For now, at least.

Kane was still holding her hand. And she liked it here.

"Thank you," he said softly. "I didn't think anyone would believe me, let alone fight with me."

Ava squeezed his hand. "I don't really do fighting with people. I fight for, you know, the truth. And you? Well, you're a part of that."

He smiled. "Maybe I am."