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OPPORTUNITIES

rehab center in Pasadena. He walked away after three weeks and was now looking to scam enough zeroes to flee to Mexico.

It was time to act on the plans they'd made in prison, Norminton said. He was ready to bankroll Max in his new career as a professional hacker.

Max was ready. He'd struggled long enough trying to make an honest living, and he was tired of being punished. He knew he was wearing out his welcome at the Hungry Programmers' house, even if they'd never complain. His diet was down to noodles and vegetables. He had no health insurance and dental problems that would cost thousands to fix.

Room service interrupted the conversation to deliver a hospitality basket. Norminton made a show of carrying the delivery into the bathroom, turning on the shower, and closing the door—in case the basket was bugged, he said. When they were done laughing, Max gave Norminton a short shopping list of gear he'd need to get started, a high-performance Alienware laptop, for one. And an antenna. A big one.

There was just one little hitch. Norminton was broke. They'd need to bring in someone else for seed money. Fortunately, Jeff knew just the guy.