Tek Net Read Online Free PDF

said. “You knew that a woman had been abducted. You’re supposed to report that sort of—”
    â€œNo, all I knew for sure was that her vidphone call to me was interrupted,” he cut in. “I decided to see if I could find out what had happened before I brought in the law. Less embarrassing that way, in case—”
    â€œYeah, I remember Jill Bernardino,” said Drexler. “She used to be a Tekhead and she got in all sorts of trouble.”
    â€œThat’s true, sí .”
    The police lieutenant frowned at Jake. “There’s a good chance this whole business tonight is tied in with Tek,” he suggested. “What do you know about it, Cardigan?”
    â€œNot as much as I’d like.”
    â€œJake is just along to lend me a hand,” explained Gomez. “This isn’t official Cosmos business.”
    â€œProbably because that boss of yours, Walt Bascom, can’t figure out how to screw a fat fee out of anybody.”
    Jake looked up at the misty night sky. “Who tipped you as to our activities?”
    â€œHer husband, right after Gomez harassed him,” answered the policeman. “At least Reinman had the sense to bring us in.”
    â€œAnd how’d you know we were at this joint?” inquired Gomez.
    â€œWent to Cardigan’s place first,” replied Drexler. “That kid of yours, Cardigan, is nearly as stubborn as you when it comes to—”
    â€œIf you hurt him, Drexler …” Jake started to lunge for the cop.
    Gomez caught him by the arm, held him back. “ Cuidado , Jake,” he advised. “I’m sure the lieutenant knows better than to try anything rough with Dan.”
    â€œI never touched him,” said Drexler. “But, since he’s enrolled at the SoCal Police Academy, it might be a good idea if he practiced being a little more respectful to real police officers.”
    â€œWe’ll pass that cogent advice along,” promised Gomez. “Now, por favor , what do you know about the whereabouts of Jill Bernardino?”
    â€œNot a hell of a lot,” admitted the lieutenant. “If you’d brought us in as soon as you knew she’d been taken, we’d be a lot closer to finding her by now. I’ve got a forensic crew out there going over that half-assed park.”
    Jake gestured at the police vans. “Maybe you ought to put some of these lads to work on the thing.”
    Ignoring him, Drexler asked Gomez, “What did she say to you when she called for help?”
    â€œHardly anything,” he answered with a shrug. “Only that she thought she was being followed.”
    â€œBy who—Tek people?”
    â€œShe didn’t have time to supply any details.”
    Drexler took a step closer to Gomez. “And why in the hell was she there at all?”
    â€œJill’s back writing for the vidwall, lieutenant. I’m pretty sure she was expecting to meet somebody with background information for a script she was working on.”
    â€œThe Hollywood Starwalk Park isn’t exactly a research center,” said Lieutenant Drexler. “C’mon, Gomez, what was she doing there?”
    â€œI don’t know,” Gomez told him. “This was the first time I’ve even so much as spoken to her in years. If you want information on her recent activities, talk to her husband.”
    â€œShe never struck me as the type who’d confide much in her husband,” said the policeman with a short, dry laugh. “Or wasn’t that your impression when you were married to the lady?”
    Jake said, “Our nearcaf is getting cold, Drexler. Shouldn’t you fellows be out looking for clues?”
    Making another angry sound, the cop turned away and started for his skyvan. He stopped, turned. “I’m mad now,” he told them slowly and evenly. “But if you guys keep holding out on me—I’m going to shift into being truly