Page 110 of Crash Course
"Knowingly causing the transmission of a program or information or code."
During their volley, Cilla put up her hands. "Enough. I get it. I can’t ask him to do that."
Cruz shrugged one massive shoulder. "Sure, you can. We do it all the time. If he thinks it supports the greater good, he’ll do it. He’ll moan about it, but he always comes through."
"It’s a federal offense," Cilla said. "It could cost him ten years."
"We know," Phin said. "He’ll tell you that, too."
On cue, Cruz’s phone rang. Rohan. "Speaking of." He answered the call and brought the phone to his ear. "We were just talking about you."
"Where are you? Mom wanted a family cookout and y’all are AWOL."
Cruz winced. They’d get a tongue-lashing for being late, no doubt. "We’re in the Theater. Gotta talk to you about something after dinner."
"What is it?"
"Hacking into EPA files."
"I see," Ro said, his voice so level they could build a house with it. "Is that all?"
Cruz couldn’t help it, he smiled. Had to love Rohan. "That’s all, bro. You up for it?"
In the background, Mom’s voice sounded. Something about getting their butts outside. Yikes.
"Mom, they’re coming," Ro said, then came back to Cruz. "Is this about the PFAS? The little girl with cancer?"
"It is."
"Let me think on it. In the meantime, y'all had better double-time it over here."
Cruz disconnected and set his phone on his lap. "That went better than expected." He pointed at Phin. "Mom’s losing her shit because we’re not outside."
Phin stood and straightened the sleeves on his pullover. Sufficiently groomed, he looked over at Cruz. "Will he do it?"
"He’s thinking about it." Cruz stood. "Now, we need to go."
Cilla’s gaze darted between Phin and Cruz. "I’ll get Kayla. What should I tell her about the EPA?"
Cruz shrugged. "If she has a contact, it wouldn’t hurt to see if they can give us something."
"Hang on," Phin said. "Let’s talk to her."
"Make it quick. Otherwise, I’m telling Mom it’s your fault."
At this, Cilla shook her head. "Brotherly love. How nice."
Cruz flashed a smile. She did that to him. Made him happy.
And damned if he didn’t mind.
The trio walked back to Phin’s office, where he knocked once, pushed the door open and stepped inside. Cruz and Cilla huddled into the doorway.
If Cruz had his way, the way that meant not getting his ass reamed by Mom, they wouldn’t be here that long.
"Sorry," Phin told Kayla. "We were discussing illegal things you don’t need to be implicated in."
"Fantastic." She smiled. "I appreciate your consideration."
