he middle of the room.
Oh, well. She knew she didn't need an invitation to sit down. Come to think of
it, she probably didn't feel any need to sit down as often as regular people
did.
A sharp double tap at the door announced John's arrival and entrance. The
two men with him began methodically searching Cade's room as John approached
Mandi and Cade and shook hands with both of them.
"Sorry," John said as he gestured at the two guys rooting through Cade's
suitcases. "Her people insisted."
"Figured they might," said Cade. "Alan seemed the cautious type. If I need
one, can I get a loaner laptop while you root through mine?"
Nodding, John said, "No problem." He turned to one of the guys searching the
room and said, "Chuck, he may be dropping by later to borrow one of the pool
laptops."
"Yes, sir," said Chuck, resuming his efforts.
"Ed," said John, "Alan played back your report on my way here. Can you add
anything to it?"
"Can't think of a thing, John. All I really had were some names and a room
number here at the hotel."
After another few moments, Chuck came to look through Cade's backpack and
check his pockets, then said, "That's it, sir. Nothing left but the computer."
Turning to Cade, he asked, "What's your boot-up password?"
"Don't need one," said Cade. "Just hit 'enter'."
The guy raised an eyebrow at that, as did John.
Laughing, Cade said, "Boot to DOS and you can wipe the password file and
reboot without one. I won't keep anything on a computer that I couldn't show my
mother."
Chuck looked at John and shruggingly nodded agreement.
John looked at Cade and said, "Well, okay, then. Sorry for the
inconvenience."
"Oh, I guess I'll survive," said Cade. "What now? Think you can put a lid on
this thing?"
"Yeah, we think so. It depends on whether WNN has already sent copies to
affiliates."
At that, Mandi groaned softly.
Cade turned to Mandi and asked, "Mandi, why you don't wear a mask or a hood?
Or something?"
She replied rather testily, "Do you really think you're the first to suggest
that?"
"Not likely, and you didn't answer the question."
Sighing exasperatedly, she said, "I've tried dozens of the damned things. At
high speeds they come apart, blow off, or burn off, and everything I've tried
that'll survive and stay put looks like shit. Does that answer your question
well enough?"
Chuckling, Cade said, "Well, yeah