Sweet Fortune

computer operators were printing out. I was curious to see if it was the same kind of data we were being shown on the screens.”
    “Is it?” Jessie studied the array of numbers on the printout.
    “No. What you're looking at there looks very much like a financial spread sheet, not climate forecasts.”
    “A spread sheet.” Jessie glanced up again. “That would fit with a real scam, wouldn't it?”
    “It would fit with a lot of scenarios. That page of data doesn't prove anything, one way or the other. A legitimate foundation would have to track its financial picture just like any other corporation. We need more information before we can get a handle on what's going on at DEL headquarters.”
    “How do we get more details?”
    Hatch contemplated her for a long moment. “For starters, I suggest we have someone who knows computers and computer programs take a look at what's on that piece of paper.”
    “Why? What will it tell someone else that it won't tell you?”
    Hatch appeared to hesitate again before making up his mind to explain further. “If someone who was very good with computers took a look at that page of printout, he might, just might, mind you, be able to use some of the information on it to do a little discreet hacking.”
    Jessie stared at him uncomprehendingly for a moment, and then realization struck. “Of course. Hatch, that's a wonderful idea. Absolutely brilliant. If we got a hacker to break into the DEL computers, we could see what they're really doing. We could at least find out if their scientific research is for real or just a cover, couldn't we?”
    “Possibly. If we got lucky. And if we knew someone we could trust to do the hacking for us.”
    “But that's just it. We do know someone. Alex Robin would be perfect. He's desperate for work. And he'd be terribly discreet.”
    Hatch shook his head over her sudden enthusiasm and regarded her with a brooding expression. “Jessie, this is tricky territory. You know that as well as I do.”
    “If DEL is on the up-and-up, we'll back off immediately. I'll tell Mrs. Attwood that the foundation is legitimate and suggest she try some other approach to getting Susan back. But if DEL is running a scam and we can prove it, then she'll have the kind of information she needs to do something. She can go to the police or the papers and have Bright exposed, just as she wants to do.”
    “It's a job for a genuine private investigator or an investigative reporter, not an assistant fortune-teller.”
    “Now, don't be so negative, Hatch. We're not ready to turn this over to someone else yet.” Jessie carefully refolded the piece of computer paper and leaned over to drop it into her purse. “We'll try to get more information first. When we have proof, we'll let Mrs. Attwood decide how she wants to handle things. Hatch, I really appreciate this. More than I can say.”
    ‘Yeah?”
    She nodded seriously. “Definitely. I'll admit I had a few doubts about bringing you along on this trip, but you've certainly proved your usefulness.”
    “I can't tell you what that means to me.”
    Jessie scowled at him, wondering, as she frequently did, if he was making a wry joke. She decided once again that he was dead serious. “I couldn't have gotten this far without you, and I truly am grateful. You've given us the first strong lead we've had since I tracked down the invitation that got us into DEL.”
    “That's something else I've been meaning to talk to you about.”
    “The invitation? What about it.”
    Hatch gave her a level look. “Does it strike you that we got hold of that invitation very easily? Maybe too easily?”
    “It wasn't easy. I had to work at it. And David helped. It was just my good luck that he attends Butterfield College and was able to find Nadine Willard.”
    “Jessie, we tough, cynical business types don't like to trust in things like good luck. I'm wondering why DEL went to the effort of laying on that little show for us today with almost no questions asked.”
    “I don't see what was so strange about it. After all, they're in the business of drumming up big donations.”
    “Why didn't they arrange to have a whole bunch of potential suckers make the trip at the same time? Why go out of their way to accommodate our schedule? Sending that plane over here to pick us up wasn't cheap.”
    Jessie paused, struck by those observations. “I see what you mean. You think maybe they're suspicious of us?”
    “I don't know what to think yet.