Rough Justice

'Connection? What connection could there be?'

Marta paused, thinking. 'It's possible that the notebook is related to the file. If the notebook is a list of numbers and each computer record has an operator's number, then maybe the notebook is a list of the operator's numbers from the computer file.'

Judy's eyes widened. 'You think they match? Like a copy?'

'Possibly.' Despite her better judgment, Marta felt a jolt of excitement. 'If so, we should be able to find each of the operator's numbers in the notebook. Read me a number from one of the driver's licenses.'

Judy picked up the top computer page. '22 746 209.'

Marta scanned the list of numbers on the first page of the notebook with Judy looking over her shoulder. Two sets of keen eyes raced down the page. 'Too bad they're not listed in any order.' Marta asked, 'Do you see it on the first page?'

'Nope.'

'On to the next.' Marta turned the page and they both skimmed the list on the second page. Judy was obviously excited, though Marta was trying not to get carried away with her. It felt strange to work so closely with an associate, and not entirely unpleasant. 'See it on page two?'

'Nope.'

'Onward and upward.' They read page three and continued, page after page, until they reached page ten. There, in the middle of the page, sandwiched in the middle of the list on the left, it said:

22746209

'Yes!' Judy shouted in delight. 'We figured it out! We're geniuses.'

Marta laughed. 'Oh, yeah? Then what's it mean, whiz kid?'

'I have no idea. What do you think?'

Marta paused. She considered going to the cops. They were so close. 'Give me that sheet. I want to see who number 22746209 is.'

Judy showed her the computer sheet. There was a field of information and a photo of an older white man with a faint smile. 'It's William Swenson. 708 Greentree Court, Philadelphia.'

'Set Mr. Swenson aside and read me another number. Let's not go off half cocked. We only matched one of them.'

'Okay. 92294593,'Judy read, then hung on Marta's shoulder as she thumbed back to page one of the notebook. 'Beginning at the beginning, huh?'

'I'm nothing if not methodical.'

'That's one word for it.'

Marta glanced over her shoulder. 'Read, kiddo.' They went down the lists on the first page and the second, and stopped at the list on the fifth page. There it was:

92294593

'Awesome!' Judy almost cheered.

'Totally.'

Judy laughed. 'I didn't know you had a sense of humor.'

'I don't. Tell me who Mr. 92 is.'

Judy looked at the second driver's license on the sheet. The face of a middle-aged woman squinted behind bifocals. 'She's Helen Minton of Rhawn Street, in Philly.'

'Set her aside. Check five more, then I'll believe the theory.'

'I'm sure we're right.'

'You're young and impetuous. Now read.'

Judy read Marta another number, which the lawyers found in Darning's notebook, then four more after that. They found each number in the notebook and set aside each license when they matched it. 'Now what?' Judy bubbled when they were finished.

'We call them up.'

'What? Why?'

'To see what we can learn.' Marta checked her watch. Almost one. No time to lose. She picked up the portable phone. 'Hand me the first sheet, then get me a phone book. Hurry up.'

'You like to give orders, don't you?'

'Love it. Get the book.'

Judy reached under the end table for the phone book. 'It makes you feel powerful.'

'I am powerful.'

'But people don't like to be bossed around.'

'Your point is?' Marta asked slyly, and Judy threw the phone book at her.

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