Teresa browsed through the various levels, quietly amazed at the extent of what was there to be found. All of
it the product of a single outfit called SplatterInc, from Raymond, Oregon. Where the hell was Raymond, Oregon, and what else went on in that small town?
She waited until Patricia looked over in her direction, then asked her to come and advise.
'You still with SplatterInc?' Patricia said, obviously amused.
'I'm trying to see what they've made available,' Teresa said. 'It's incredible how much there is.'
Patricia glanced at the screen.
'Yeah, they keep busy,' she said. 'But they're just a mediumsmall. You should see the catalogues put out by some of the coop groups in California or New York.'
'These headings are they just used by these people, or are they general?'
'Everyone uses them. You can download the complete index, if you want to see the extent of it.'
'And it's all shareware?'
'The SplatterInc programs are,' Patricia said. 'Are you specially interested in those people? Or are you interested in shareware generally?'
'I don't know,' Teresa said. 'I'm just browsing at the moment. Trying to find what you have.'
'It's a lot.'
'I'm learning.'
'You know, you might do better to stay away from shareware. lt gets expensive, because nearly all of what you pay us for is machine time. What most people do is buy into one of the commercial packages, then use shareware as a supplement. You know, what 1 was showing you the other day. One of the TV networks, or the big software companies, or our own modules, of course. Or do what you did the other day, choose a category then randomize on an anthology basis. We've got a whole catalogue of sampler scenarios.'
Teresa turned away from the screen. 'The truth is, 1 don't know where to begin. It's confusing.'
'Maybe you should take home some of our brochures? There's a pile of them out at the back there.'
'I'm wasting your time,' Teresa said. 'Is that what you're trying to tell me?'
'No ... but 1 only deal with what the customers select, and want to use, and make sure the equipment functions properly. I see a bit of what they are interested in, but 1 don't see the whole picture. You need Mr Lacey or one of his assistants to talk you through some of the sales packages we have on offer. Most people don't really know what they're looking for until they find it.'
'I'm beginning to see why.'
'I thought you were interested in guns. We get a lot of people who are.'
'Mine's a professional interest.'
'Then why don't you buy the comprehensive shooting course? That includes targetpractice use, interdiction and arrest scenarios, you can choose terminal or nonterrminal, and you get full access to the scenarios. That sort of use is our breadandbutter business.'
'And for that I would have to talk to Mr Lacey?'
Patricia said with a smile, 'I'll arrange it for you.'
'OK. Thanks.' Teresa looked back at the screen, with its almost obsessively detailed arrays of scenario subjects. 'Do you mind if 1 go on browsing?'
'Help yourself,
CHAPTER 21
Nick was serving behind the bar when Teresa came in 'halfway through the evening. She asked him for a club soda. He passed her a glass with ice cubes, and the syphon. She sloshed the water into the glass, then gave him a direct look. He wondered what was conning; when Amy looked at him like that he was usually in trouble. He thankfully noticed another customer approaching the counter, so moved adroitly away to serve him. Teresa obviously got the message, because by the time he finished she had taken her drink to one of the tables.
Sitting alone, she read the book she had been carrying.
The bar gradually emptied, and half an hour before closing time there was hardly anyone left. He collected glasses and empties, washed them, wiped the bar counter. Teresa saw this, and came back and settled on her stool. There was no avoiding her any more.
'Do you mind if 1 ask you something, Nick?' she said.
'Do 1 have a choice?'
'I guess not. Why don't you or anyone else ever talk about the Grove shootings?'
'What is there to say?'
'Not a whole lot, it seems. It's like it never happened. OK, 1 know.' She took a sip of her drink.
'I'm a brash American and I've no right to ask any questions at all, but most people here have nothing to say.'
'I'm another of them,' he said.
'But why, Nick?'
'In my case, I wasn't actually in town when it happened. 1 was'
