102 Terminal Shock by Franklin W. Dixon

Author:Franklin W. Dixon [Dixon, Franklin W.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

Stalking the Stalker

The Hardys were back at Digital Delights early the next morning, demanding an explanation for the message they had found on the BBS the day before.

"I wish I knew who left the message," said Larry Simpson, a worried look on his face. "But it really could have been anybody. Our board has several hundred members, many of whom call in on a regular basis."

"But how would they have known that I was a member of the bulletin board?" asked Frank.

"Easy," said Larry. "Anybody can call up a membership list from the main menu. Here. I'll show you."

He walked to the computer that was running the BBS and typed a few commands on the keyboard. A list of names flowed across the screen. He pressed a key to stop the screen from scrolling and pointed at Frank's name.

"See?" Larry asked. "Your name was automatically added to this list when you typed in your password two days ago. The Stalker, whoever he is, could have seen your name on the list and left a message."

"Can you trace the message and find out who sent it?" asked Joe.

"As a matter of fact, I can," said Larry, his face brightening. He typed several more commands on the computer. More bright green lines of characters appeared on the screen.

"Just what I was afraid of," said Larry. "This Stalker guy never left his real name. A lot of BBS users just use handles, fake names, like on CB radio. They think it makes them cool, not letting anybody know who they are. This guy just signed on using the handle the Stalker, the same name he signed on your electronic note."

"When did this guy join the BBS?" asked Frank.

Larry looked at the screen again. "Two days ago. Same day you did. He must have known you'd be on here."

"The guy in the back room?" suggested Joe.

"Could be," said Frank. "He might have seen Larry signing me up on the computer."

"And so he called in later and left the message," said Joe. "It all fits."

"Now all we have to do is find out who that guy was," said Frank. "Maybe we should talk to your partner Jerry again. He may know more about that guy than he's letting on."

"Unfortunately, he's not in now," said Larry.

"Where is he?" asked Frank.

"I wish I knew," said Larry. "He's been getting awfully secretive lately, missing work, taking off on long breaks without telling me why."

Joe leaned against the counter. "What are all these papers?" he asked, fingering a thick sheaf of forms and carbons perched on the edge.

"Just computer invoices," Larry said. "We're shipping a load of computers out of the country for a client of ours."

"Hey," said Joe, showing the top paper to Frank. "Look at this. Isn't the country these things are being shipped to in Eastern Europe?"

"You're right," said Frank. "Is that legal? I thought we weren't allowed to sell computers to countries over there."

"A few years ago we weren't," said Larry. "But our government and theirs get along better now than they used to.

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