Page 59 of Resolutions

“Sorry, Sir,” the two chorus, twirling the ends of their pigtails in perfect sync.

The man in all black, I guess is Sebastian. He huffs in annoyance, raising his eyes to the ceiling. Both girls edge closer to him until his glare sends them giggling and skittering back, still playing with their hair.

“I think she's confused because you said they were brothers,” I say to Law.

“We are,” the girls answer together with perfectly timed hair tosses. “Well, as far as anyone online knows,” Mouse giggled.

Mortified that I potentially insulted their life choices, I stammer, “I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to assume.”

“No worries, sister,” Mouse waves it off. “See, in our world, everyone assumes if you know computers, you must have come with a joystick.” She points to her crotch.

“So, we let them keep assuming,” Keyboard finishes. “Nobody questions our skills when they think we're guys.”

“Then we swoop in with our tight kitties and perky boobs and crush them.” Mouse smiles a charming smile.

“Yeah, we sprinkle some pixie glitter on their dead bodies, then fly away on gossamer wings.” Keyboard makes a show of smashing something under her heel. “Leaving them to rot.”

They both glance at Sebastian again. His eye roll is practically audible. Law shakes his head. Farris's poorly concealed chuckle suggests this is a common dynamic.

“These are your elite hackers?” Evelyn blurts, clearly still processing the scene in front of her.

“Coming at you live,” Keyboard grins.

“In the flesh,” Mouse confirms.

“Sebastian,” Law gestures to the shorter man. “Maxwell,” he indicates the first man in line. “I'd like you to meet personal friends of mine, Evelyn Whitaker, a dear friend of my mom's, and Melanie Thompson.” The men shake our hands before pulling out chairs for the ladies, then taking their own seats.

Law quickly brings everyone up to speed on Michael and the situation. I watch the girls' faces darken as he describes the trafficking operation.

“So, this mi-chin nyeon is taking women?” Keyboard's words drip with disdain.

“Language,” Law warns.

“What? They don't speak Korean,” she protests, pointing at me. She submits at his look. “Fine, best behavior, got it.”

“Do you have a picture?” Mouse asks. “Of this... ah, person?”

I pull up Michael's photo on my phone and pass it around. The girls huddle together, rapid-fire Korean flowing between them until Sebastian's grunt draws their instant attention.

He raises an eyebrow. “Aniyo,” and a slight nod toward the table is all it takes for the ladies to stop talking and hand my phone back. In a much deeper voice than I expected, Sebastian translates dryly as the girls dissolve into giggles. “They werejust commenting on his... unfortunate appearance.” Mouse and Keyboard's obvious crush on him is painfully clear. His complete disinterest is equally so. But part of me wonders if it’s carefully crafted act.

Smiling at the ladies, I can't help myself. “I can't blame them. I don't think he's attractive either.”

“Could you send us the hideous man's picture?” Keyboard asks, glancing at Sebastian, then Law, suddenly all business.

“Of course.” I pick up my phone. “What else do you need?”

“Full name, address, vehicles, business details,” Mouse lists. At Law's pointed look, she adds a belated, “Please.”

“We've got it all here.” Farris hands over the folder. The ladies confer briefly.

“Joh-eun, is a lot.” Keyboard nods then looks at Law. “Standard procedure, sir?”

“Yes. Coordinate time and supplies through Farris. Intel comes directly to me. Time is critical, as you'll see from the file, we know he's taken two other women. But we don't know how many others are at risk.”

They nod their understanding and rise in unison, heading for the door with Maxwell following.

“Why am I always supply runner?” Farris grumbles once they're gone.

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