#nspf

Dan had been expecting Kevin, back with another potential issue in the plan ("Your plan," Dan had reminded him every time his irritation started to leak out toward her), or even Nicky, who was supposed to swing by and pick up some supplies for Aaron to work with. When her view of the paperwork on the desk was blocked by a takeout bag being unceremoniously dumped on top of it, she was really expecting Matt, who owed her for stealing her leftovers out of the fridge last week, and had been on thin ice ever since. When she looked up, however, she was met with a pair of unfamiliar eyes, their soft brown not quite able to distract from the calculation in them.

•••

"You think this crew is ready to take on the Nest?" Neil looked slightly horrified.

"They can," Dan said, keeping her voice firm. Neil stared, and then shook his head in disbelief.

"Be honest with me," he said, leaning forward. "Are you joking, or just insane?"

"You've read about them; you don't know them," Dan shot back, defensiveness creeping into her voice. "I know my crew. They can do this."

Neil gave a disbelieving huff, flipping through the file again, shaking his head as he did.

•••

"I think I took after Stuart more than anyone. He'd be offended if he heard anyone suggest it—I'm too reckless for that, or something—but it's true. I mean, everyone always said I took after Mom—" Neil shrugged, hoping it looked more casual than it felt "—but I don't really remember enough about her to say."

Andrew tilted his head to the side, studying Neil.

"You said she was a forger."

"She was."

"You're a thief."