Page 80 (1/2)

“I know Sauy,” Diana conceded “Nicer than Caine But Caine has always had respect for what you can do, Jack Even back before the FAYZ You know he always let you do your thing”

“Maybe,” Jack muttered

“I ine, even for a second, that Caine would give you a job as hard as setting up the cell phone system and then just blow you off?”

His silence was eloquent

“We need you, Jack,” Diana said “We need you back”

“I have stuff to do here”

She put her hand on his ar She came around to stand face-to-face with hih that she could be sure that the hard drive he had in place of a heart hirring away

She stroked his face with her fingers Not too overt, not really a proh to disorient him, poor boy

“Come back, Jack,” Diana breathed “Caine has a job for you The biggest job you can ie” She spoke the last three words slowly, pausing dramatically

Jack’s eyes widened “What is it?”

“So only you can do,” she said “Only you”

“Can’t you tell me?” he pleaded

“It’s huge, Jack Beyond anything you’ve tried so far Bigger corams Maybe too much—even for you”

He shook his head, but barely “It’s a trick You’re just trying to get o back so Caine and Drake can teach me a lesson”

“Don’t flatter yourself, kid,” Diana said Tiood for one thing You’re not Courageous Jack or Fighting Jack or even Lover Jack, although I know you have your sad little fantasies You’re Computer Jack Sam won’t let you do what you can do Caine will And Jack?”