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Max remembered the memory stick with the data from Brad’s computer. It was in Rafe’s saddle bags. If this got serious, that might be useful. No matter what, straightening things out would be a lot of hassle—not that hard, really, just tedious if you knew the secrets. He was sure Rafe could handle whatever he couldn’t, and they could start repairing the obvious damage right away. What was worrisome was what other sorts of havoc the attacker had set in motion. Time would tell.
Max was more used to hacking into systems than fixing them, but new situations called for new approaches, and it would be an interesting challenge.
When she openedthe door for them, Rafe and Max came straight in with their computers under their arms. “The kitchen table,” she said, pointing.
She’d set out all her bills, and Rafe looked at them and laughed. It always amazed him to see paper bills. “You don’t pay online?” he asked. He opened his laptop, connecting it to his cell phone.
“No. I don’t bank online at all. I write checks and put stamps on letters.”
“So you’re the one… Does the post office send you thank-you cards? They should.” Max winked at her.
“Okay, I’m a dinosaur. Gemma teases me about it too. But for so few bills, it’s not really a hassle, and I like the feel of paper.” The electric company site came up, and he called up his password routine.
“How are you getting to the Internet?”
Max pointed to Rafe’s cell phone he’d laid on the table. “That works as a hotspot for us to access the utility company sites.”
“Whatever that means. Don’t we have to get a lawyer, or call customer service, or something?”
“We could do that—and you’d get your utilities back on in time to bake a cake for your retirement. No, if we’re going to get results in our lifetime, we need to take more direct action.” Rafe spoke decisively, wanting to reassure her this was the only way to go.
“What sort of action?”
“Well, seeing as they told you that someone put in service turn-off requests on your behalf, I think we’ll put in some emergency turn-on requests.”
“Will that work?” asked Max at the same time as Simone.
“Sure. I think.” He nodded at Max before he looked at her. “Why wouldn’t it?”
Max shrugged. “It seems too easy.”
“Maybe it is. Lots of things are easier than you’d think, though.”
“Would you like a beer?” asked Simone.
He smiled. “That would help lubricate the effort.”
“Max?”
He shook his head. “A bit early for me. Coffee?”
“Sorry, no power to brew it. The fridge is still reasonably cool with the beer in there. I’ll get your drinks and get out of your hair.”
Rafe looked at the time on the screen. “Right. You need to get to work, don’t you?”
“I’m afraid so. Clutch dropped off my car, so I can even take myself. I wouldn’t be any help if I stayed.”
“And working will keep you busy,” said Max. “It gives us time to fix all this, so you don’t have to worry so much.”
“There is that.”
Rafe’s teeth clenched for a moment as a surge of anger filled him. “What will you say to Brad if he shows his face?”
She smiled. “Nothing at all. I decided to pretend nothing out of the ordinary has happened—no tires slashed and utilities working fine. That will drive him nuts. If he asks, I’ll tell him I don’t know what he’s talking about.”
Rafe accessed the power company service page. “Let’s see, there is a worker who is conveniently in your neighborhood. I bet he or she would respond to an emergency alert to restore service.”
“You can do that?”
