Page 139 of Nearly Roadkill
Yes?
Frankie:::softly:: Simulpost.
Johnny:I figured.
Error:Window closed. Communication stopped.
END SCRATCH JOURNAL ENTRY
TOOBE ENTRY
They were, as usual, oblivious. They were being called traitors! Do I nag them? Will they deal? Gwynyth still says to wait, but she got a tiny smilewhen I told her they were talking again. Tiny smile on her means a big one on other people.
END TOOBE ENTRY
NARRATIVE ENTRY, JABBATHEHUT
Let the rest of the Bureau roust up the folks named Ssscratch or Wwwinc. Wally Budge is reading some very interesting correspondence, forwarded by one of his hackers.
BEGIN FORWARDED TEXT:
To:HoneyDew
From:Vina
Subj:Is that you?
Please forgive me if I’ve reached the wrong mailbox, but I’m looking for Winc. The real Winc. We heard that this is one of your screen names. I represent a group called The Coalition, and we need to locate Winc ASAP.
—Vina
With a satisfied grunt, he adds “HoneyDew” to his database and chalks up another entry for “The Coalition.” Patterns, patterns. Now we’re talking. Familiar territory at last. He feels like a cop again. The next message, however, isn’t so satisfying.
To:Ms. Budge
From:DevilsOwn
Subj:Progress, BUT…
We’ve got some leads. But something *really* weird is happening. Someone is pulling all the Scratch and Winc clones offline. Is that you? If it is, STOP IT! We’ve been using them to determine genuine leads.
And do you know about The Rally tonight at the Scratch and Winc Website? DON’T mess with it, okay? We’ll have it wired, and we’re counting on at least one live lead attending.
—Your everlovin’ Devil
Now ain’t that a kick in the pants? He forwards it to Shel, then calls her.
“Did you get that message from my hacker?”
“Yeah. I’m lookin’ at it right now.”
“How do I tell Her Ladyship to lay off all the Scratches and Wincs?”
“Heh, that came out funny,” she purrs.
“Ha! Yeah, but seriously, Shel, how do I tell her to leave all the websites and newsgroups alone?”
A pause, then, “Leave it to me. Dinner tonight at Antonio’s. You’re buying.”
