Scattered Graves

‘‘You are looking at me, Diane,’’ it said. ‘‘I see it.’’

That is David and Frank looking at you, Diane typed.

‘‘Dave and Frank. That is so funny. Do you know how that is funny, Diane?’’ it said.

‘‘Okay, that was just plain weird,’’ said Neva.

Yes. Those are the names of the astronauts in 2001: A Space Odyssey, Diane typed. They talked to HAL, a computer. You are not like HAL, are you?

‘‘No, I am not like HAL,’’ it said. ‘‘HAL is not real.’’

I need to ask you a question. Do you know who killed Jefferies or Peeks? she typed.

‘‘You asked the right question. I will answer you. Yes, I know. Do you?’’ it asked.

No, typed Diane. Will you tell me?

‘‘No. That is not a good thing to talk about,’’ it said. ‘‘I have to go now. I have enjoyed talking with you, Diane, but this conversation can serve no purpose any more,’’ it said, quoting a line from the movie. ‘‘I made a joke. Did you get it? Good-bye.’’

Diane tried several more questions, but she got no response.

‘‘It deleted itself,’’ said David.

‘‘Can you undelete it?’’ asked Diane.

‘‘I’ll try, but I think that last message was designed to tell the program the game was over, so to speak,’’ said David.

‘‘I can see I’m going to have to spend more time at the movies,’’ said Izzy. ‘‘Or reading books,’’ he added.

‘‘That was just the coolest thing,’’ said Jin. ‘‘Where did it come from? Did it jump into the system?’’

‘‘Yes,’’ said Frank. ‘‘That it did. What do you make of it, Diane?’’

‘‘It was a confession,’’ she said.

‘‘I think you’re reading too much into it,’’ said David. ‘‘AI programs can be very convincing, but they aren’t sentient by a long shot.’’

‘‘I agree,’’ said Frank. ‘‘This was aimed at you, Diane. Whoever it was knew you and probably knew you are a science fiction fan.’’

‘‘Perhaps,’’ said Diane, ‘‘but to what purpose?’’

‘‘I don’t know,’’ said David.

‘‘The main purpose of the program was to pass on information,’’ said Frank.

‘‘And then what?’’ said Diane. ‘‘Play chess? I’m not saying the thing is sentient, for heaven’s sake, but I think whoever programmed it is the killer. I think it is one of the hackers and I think they want to confess, but can’t manage to do it in person.’’

No one said anything. Diane took that to mean they disagreed with her.

Diane looked at Frank. ‘‘What do you know of this Black Light?’’ she said. ‘‘Isn’t that who you thought wrote the message inside the computer case?’’

‘‘All I know is a name. He came up in our investiga tion only in passing. Shogun—Malcolm Chen—men tioned him in e-mails in terms that suggested that he thought Black Light was the best hacker. But I have no information on places he might have hacked. If he’s active, then he is good, because he isn’t on any one’s radar.’’

‘‘We can contact some of the people on the list and see if they know him,’’ said Diane.

Frank nodded. ‘‘We can do that tomorrow. I faxed the list to my partner. I’ll call him to see what he’s found out.’’

‘‘I think it’s all but wrapped up,’’ said Jin. ‘‘We have a lot of details to uncover, but I think Diane’s right. The cyberghost did it. It may not be sentient, but the person behind it is.’’

‘‘I agree,’’ said Diane. ‘‘Now,’’ she said to David, ‘‘do I have a virus in my system?’’

David shook his head. ‘‘I’ll examine the program, but I don’t think so. I think it’s dead now.’’

‘‘You mean we can’t start the whole thing up again if we scan my eye?’’ said Diane.

‘‘No,’’ said David. ‘‘I think it was programmed to know when it was done.’’

‘‘Why did it escape from Jefferies’ the museum system?’’ asked Diane.

‘‘I don’t know,’’ said David.

‘‘It wasn’t finished delivering the Neva. ‘‘It’s kind of like an angel.’’

‘‘Angel?’’ said Izzy. ‘‘How’s that?’’

‘‘They’re messengers,’’ said Neva. ‘‘Not all messages are good. This was a messenger from it’s creator— Black Light, or whoever.’’

computer into

message,’’ said

Frank built a fire, and he and Diane sat in front of it and watched the flames. Earlier, Frank had called his