Scott looked on in shock. Tyrone laughed out loud. "He already knows who I am. So what? I've always liked saying that anyway." KIRK HERE, FBI, WHERE NO MAN HAS GONE BEFORE So I hear. Been to any good banks lately? REPO MAN, WHAT'S UP? Can't take a joke? YEAH. NO PROBLEM. Listen, I don't know you from Adam, and you don't have to talk to me, but I am curious. Did your computers really get bashed? TOTALLY, DUDE. Tyrone pointed his thumb at the computer. "Wise guy, eh?" "Give him a chance. Generation gap." Tyrone didn't take kindly to references to his age. Sensitive area. Why? CAUSE SOMEONE THINKS I KNOW SOMETHING THAT I DON'T That's clear. THANKS Do you want to make a formal complaint? WOULD IT DO ANY GOOD? No. THEN, NO You think it was First State? YES. Don't you go around poking into other computers, too? SURE So why not someone else? THEY DIDN'T GET INTO BIG TROUBLE FROM REPO MAN'S ARTICLE? "He knows who you are?" Tyrone asked. "Sure. He likes calling me Repo Man for some reason that still escapes me. Where else do you go? THAT WOULD BE TELLING Gotcha. Well, I guess that's about it. PHEW! <<<<<<CONNECTION TERMINATED>>>>>> "I guess you scared him off." Scott was amused. "Sorry," Tyrone said. "He'll call back," Scott waved off the apology. "When the coast is clear." "Fuck off." Their friendship was returning to the level it once had been. "Hey, it's getting beyond late," Scott ignored him. "What say we get together in a few days and sort through some of this." "I know, but one thing. Can you get into your computers, at the paper?" "Yeah, why?" "Dobbs said that the other victims had had their stock go down pretty dramatically. Can you look up stock prices and perform- ances over the last few months?" "Yeah, do it all the time." "Could you? I want to see if there are any names I recognize." "No problem." Scott dialed the Times' computer and identified himself. After going into the bank computer with Kirk, every time he dialed up his office, he felt an increased sense of power, and an increased sense of responsibility. He had access to massive amounts of information that if it got into the wrong hands . . . He shook the thought. The computer offered the 'Stocks and Bonds Menu' and Scott set up a query in a modified SQL that was simple enough for reporters to use: ALL STOCKS LOSING 35% OR MORE OF VALUE IN LAST YEAR. The computer flashed a message. 'Working'. Scott leaned back. "Takes a few seconds. Oh, as I was saying, when I get back, I'll call and we'll see what we can screw together." "Back from where?" Tyrone sounded accusatory but jealous. "Europe. Amsterdam." Scott checked the computer screen. It was still busy. "Rough life." "No, it's only for a couple of days. There's a hackers confer- ence. I've been invited, by Kirk as a matter of fact."