Part 82 (2/2)

”We have to rely on available infor told, these are very minor events that have been sensationalized by the lasses, ”Defense Contractors Live with Hackers; Stealth Program Uncovered in Defense Department Computers; Social Security Computers At Risk

Are those minor events?” He pointed the question at not only Henry

”There was no significant loss of information,” Coletree rapidly said ”We sewed up the holes before ere severely compro- mised”

”Wonderful,” the President said sarcastically ”And what ever happened to that bank in Atlanta? Hiring Those kids?”

”If I rave filled the silence ”That was a private concern, and we had no place to interfere - as is true in overn done about it? Now I mean”

”We have activated CERT and ECCO, independent computer crime units to study the problem further” As usual, Phil was impecca- bly informed ”Last years the Secret Service and FBI arrested over 70 people accused of computer crimes The state of Pennsyl- vania over 500, California 300 Reenerally the states' proble if it shouldn't be our problem, too,” the Presi- dent pondered

”There are steps in that direction, as well Next week the Senate hearings on Privacy and Technology Contain on exactly this issue”

”Who's running the show?” the President asked with interest

”Ah,” Phil said ripping through his notes, ”Rickfield, sir”

”That bigot? Christ I guess it could be worse We could have ended up with Ho of tension worked to the President's advantage, for a brief ood and the bad, laid out for me” He scanned his private appointh to find out why I'm always the last to know?”

Wednesday, Dece the phone with his mouth full of hot pastrami on rye with pickles and mayonnaise

”Scott? It's Tyrone” Tyrone's voice was quiet, just about a whisper

”Oh, hi” Scott continued to chew Scott was unsuccessfully trying not to sound angry

Other than following Scott's articles in the paper, they had had no contact since that eventful phone call a o Since then, Scott hadtheir daily commute into the city It was painful for both of them since they had been close friends, but Scott was ht, to cut off their association after Tyrone broke the cardinal rule of all journalists; keep your sources protected And, Tyrone had broken that maxim Scott had not yet learned that the Bureau reeht in their venue

”How have you been?” Tyrone said cordially ”Good bit of work you been doing”

”Yeah, thanks, thanks,” Scott said stiffly

Tyrone had already deterency wouldn't help hiulations that stifled rather than helped the cause Maybe there was hope for cooperation yet, if his little faux pas could be forgiven

”We need to talk I've been ht it was a pile of warmed up FBI shi+t

”Sure, let's talk” Scott's apparent indifference bothered Tyrone

”Scott, I y to make, and I want to do it in person Also, I think that we both need each otheryou'll understand when I tell you what's been going on” Tyrone's deep baritone voice conveyed honesty and a little bit of urgency If nothing else, he had never known or had any reason to suspect Tyrone of purposelyto hiood one Plus, the tease of a secret further enticed Scott into agreeing

”Yeah, what the hell It's Christmas” Scott's aloofness came across as phony, but Tyrone understood the aardness and let it pass

”How 'bout we et shi+t faced Merry Christmas from the Bureau”