Metafire

To be on the safe side, Dr. O'Leary ordered one of his men back to Houston to watch Erisa's house. He had now decided that this was where the Internet search had been initiated. If it had been initiated at the NSP, she would have used a server like "nsp.gov." rather than "aol.com," but they knew the request came out of an "aol.com" computer. Perhaps there was someone else in the house besides Erisa. Their research had shown her living alone.

The next morning at breakfast, Dr. O'Leary asked the first question. "By the way, Erisa, what was the password you entered for Netbill?"

"I would really prefer not to say, sir." She was going to be careful. "I need to know some things before I start answering questions."

"Be my guest. You'll soon know us well."

"How did you know I helped with USSS 26?"

"You talked with the chief on '26. We simply installed an Internet demon to monitor your mail across the Internet. I have a copy of the mail you sent requesting that '26 get their wish about starting a new colony."

"But I thought our systems were secure against that."