Jennifer was a software whiz and she had all the designs for all the clients on their CAD system, which they used to create a virtual- reality space and allow clients to "walk" through. "Well, that's entirely possible. Our firewall software is over a year old. Let me take a look. Maybe I can reverse-engineer what happened. If somebody went through pulling up files, I might be able to figure it out." Ally relinquished her chair and stood staring as Jennifer started checking the firewall. It was scary to think that some stranger could know everything about you. But on the other hand what difference could it make? She had nothing to hide. Still, it was creepy. Her Social Security and credit card information was in that file. Could that be-- "Shit. Ally, you're not going to believe this. Whoever did this was damned good. We've been seriously hacked." "How do you know?" She bent over to look. "Our firewall software has been disabled. In fact, the actual program was uninstalled. Jesus, that's cool. I think we'd better shut down everybody's Internet connection right this minute, till we can get some new software." "That's incredible. You mean somebody--" "Honey, hackers have gotten into Microsoft's own site. Even the Pentagon, so I've heard. Anything is possible." "This is not good." "What are you thinking?" Jen was still staring at the screen and tapping at the keyboard. "I'm thinking what a jerk I was. I keep all my personal information in that file, like a safety backup in case my apartment burned down or something. Scanned it in. My passport, driver's license, credit cards, medical records, everything." Jennifer looked puzzled. "You can just cancel the credit cards. As for the rest of the stuff, what could anybody possibly want with it?" "I don't know, Jen. I don't even know if we were hacked by somebody who wants to find out about me, or just look at our designs." She was reflecting that when somebody goes through your files, they want the information for a purpose. And that purpose couldn't be positive for you, or they wouldn't have started their undertaking with a surreptitious act. "Well, I'm going to check around and download a new firewall program. Right now." "Shit, I don't need this. I've got enough on my mind already. Mom wants to go out to a clinic in the wilds of northern New Jersey and see a doctor there. And the whole thing makes me nervous." "Oh Jesus, is the place called the Dorian Institute by any chance?" "How did--?" "I'm such a scatterbrain. I took a message for you while you were gone. From a Dr. Van de Something. I think that's the name of the place he's with. He wants you to call him back as soon as possible." _Monday, April 6 11:43 A.m._ Would she call back? Karl Van de Vliet had to believe she would but nothing in this world was sure.