Part 10 (1/2)
After a few brief seconds, George said ”Come on, I think you'd better go now.”
Spiky Hair turned to his staff stunned. ”He didn't believe it! He didn't even believe it!”
Back in Vista City, Angelo was on the phone with Jim Anderson.
”And that's how it breaks down.” Angelo said.
”Do you know how that sounds, Detective?” Anderson said.
”Think about it. Both Dornan and Marlowe are filthy rich. How did they get that way? By controlling access to computers and the net. That was in a compet.i.tive environment with other alternatives. The modern world is a water dictators.h.i.+p with computers and net access replacing water. Anyone with sole control of access to information can make ten times as much money as Dornan or Marlowe. Large incalculable piles of money are a solid motive for murder and extreme hacker vandalism.” Angelo explained.
”There's just not enough hard evidence to justify the investigation, even if Franks and I were still on it.” Anderson said. ”You know how bullet proof Marlowe is.”
”Who's on the case now? Maybe I can convince them.” Angelo wheedled.
”Mangar and Souza.” Anderson said grimly.
”Ugh.” Angelo said.
”Yep. They've got it b.u.t.toned up as an accidental. They won't want to hear anything more complex.” Anderson said.
”If this thing goes through, Marlowe will be beyond bullet proof. He'll have gotten away with murder.” Angelo said.
I'll see what I can do,” Anderson said, ”but don't get your hopes up.
”Thanks.” Angelo said. He hung up the phone.
”Why did Marlowe kill Randi?” Angelo mused.
”You don't even know for certain that he did.” Uhura said.
”True, but to a.s.sume that leaves nothing for us to do. Work with me here.” Angelo said. ”Marlowe killed Randi to control knowledge she had.”
”Knowledge of the virus and Marlowe's plan, right?” Uhura said.
”Right. What if we tell Marlowe that Randi pa.s.sed the data on to me?” Angelo asked.
”Then either he kills you, or sues you until you wish you were dead.” Uhura said.
”Well, if he tries to kill me, then at least we know we're onto something.” Angelo said.
”Hey, hey, hey! What's this we stuff, paleface?” Uhura demanded.
Angelo just looked at her. Would she really let someone get away with murder and vandalizing most of the computers in the world for his own personal gain? He didn't think so.
After a few seconds Uhura gave up with her hands tossed in the air, ”All right! All right! What do we do? I won't forget this Mancuso!”
”What do you want, Detective?” Marlowe's voice was calm and reasonable sounding.
”Well, I wanted to let you know that Randi had a safe deposit box in Seattle.” Angelo said. ”She left some things in there that I think bear discussion.”
”What's there to discuss?” Marlowe said.