The Schwarzschild Radius (27 page)

The final memory stick presented the same images with a different model. A young blonde girl with a dazzling smile. Greyson posed with her on the couch fully clothed, over the remains of a meal. There was something familiar about this girl. It was Kirsten Schrodinger.

There was a shot of her naked, holding a spear and wearing a tiara. Posing for one of his paintings, no doubt. There were several of these poses―with her foot up on the bed, wearing armbands and thrusting a Claymore sword. She looked like a warrior.

If she handed these over to McKenna, how would she explain how she got them? What she couldn’t do is tell him she was going to the homes of pedophiles. She downloaded all the pictures to her laptop, then deleted the pictures of herself from the memory sticks. Now what? Someone could have given her the pictures, but the police would insist on knowing who. If Rachel made any mention of Sonia and sent the police back to her, the relationship would be over and all this would end. She decided to email the pictures anonymously with a note containing the art dealer’s name and address. Joules had shown her once how to chain two remailers together and send an untraceable email. Every instinct told her she was getting closer to a killer.

What’s your favorite movie
? typed the Webmaster.

Oh, it’s an old one. My mom rented it last year. Ninja Turtles
, replied cindy2di4.

I liked that one too.

I like the second one.

Yeah. You watch it with your parents
? asked the man.

My dad passed away last year
, she wrote.

I’m so sorry to hear that. It must be lonely.

It really is.

Did you get the file I sent you
? he asked.

Yeah.

What did you think of it?

Kinda weird. What they were doing.

They really loved each other. That’s how it’s expressed. Nothing wrong with it
, he wrote.

I don’t know.

I just wanted to share that with you. I hope you don’t think any different about me now,
wrote the Webmaster.

No. No.

Does it change anything between us?

No. I just never saw anything like that before. Forget it.

Do you want to forget it, or are you curious to see more
? said the man.

I guess I’m kinda curious.

Well, I have another.

OK.

Should I send it now
? asked the Webmaster.

Sure.

Done.

Wow. This one’s a movie, right
? wrote the girl.

Yeah. Shows more.

She’s beautiful.

Sure she is. What he’s doing to her is beautiful too. See how she likes it?
said the Webmaster, getting aroused.

Yeah

So how’s your Mom? Still working late?

Yeah. I just sit here and surf till she comes home.

That’s lonely.

Yeah. I like talking to you.

Me too. You promised me another picture of you
, he wrote.

I know. I need to scan it at school.

What kind of a picture is it?

Me at Disney World 2 years ago. On the water slide. And I think I’ll be able to borrow my friend’s cam tomorrow.

That would be great. I really want to see you, Cindy. You already know what I look like.

OK. Well, it’s late. We’ve been chatting for like 2 hours. I gotta get to bed.

When can we chat again?

Tomorrow night. Same time.

The Webmaster had downloaded the last piece of information that he needed from Cindy’s PC. Now he was ready.

assey introduced himself as Ian Bride and entered the house in Richmond Hill, Queens.

“Irina,” said the realtor.

“Shall I take off my shoes? I know that’s a growing custom,” said the priest, now disguised in blond hair, mustache, and glasses.

“Oh don’t worry about it. Well, this is it, three bedroom, one and a half bath. It’s a nice neighborhood.”

“And you said the garage can be entered from inside the house?”

“Yes,” she opened a door off of the living room and turned on the light. The steps descended directly to the garage.

“That’s great on cold winter days,” he said.

“It definitely is. What part of Ireland are you from?”

“County Cork,” said Massey in the accent he recalled from his father.

She nodded vacantly and said, “Is this what you had in mind?”

“I believe so. It’s close to Manhattan.” It had what he was looking for. A quiet street, a foyer, and direct-entry garage where he could enter and leave without being seen.

“And you mentioned you could pay six month’s rent in advance.”

“Yes, that’s not a problem,” said Massey, looking up and down the street through the window.

“Well, the owner is amenable to that in lieu of a credit report. There is this water damage over the bay window, but they’ll repair it before you move in.”

“That won’t be necessary,” said Massey, already defending his privacy. “I’m a bit of a handyman back home. So it’s eighteen-hundred a month and one month’s security? Good. I’d like to close the deal then if there are no issues.”

“I have all the paperwork here.”

“Oh, is there garbage pickup, or is that extra?” he said, once again peering out the window.

“The city takes care of that. That’s where our taxes go. You can make out the check to Joanna Federman. And you say you’re moving in when?”

“I have cash, and I had planned on moving in immediately, if that’s alright.”

“Yes, of course. Let me give you a receipt.”

I’m so glad you were able to make it tonight,
typed the Webmaster.

Me too. I miss you. So you liked my picture
? typed cindy2di4.

I loved it. You are gorgeous, baby. I’m really excited about meeting you tomorrow.

Me too. I hope you like me.

Of course I will.

You might think I look different than in the picture.

I would love you even if you were ugly. I can see you are a beautiful person
, he wrote.

I have a cam today. You want to see me?
she said.

Sure.
She sent the invite. He accepted and her face materialized. It was more than he had hoped for. She was a little older than her picture, still, fourteen with dark pigtails and a beautiful Italian face.

Is that really you
? he typed.

Who else is it going to be?

Stick your tongue out.

Huh?

Just let me see you stick your tongue out
. She did so. It wasn’t just a video of a young girl. This was a live girl and she was gorgeous.

What do you want me to wear? The outfit in the picture?
she asked.

No, in fact don’t dress any differently than usual. If you’re telling your mother you’ll be at the library there’s no reason to get all dressed up.

Yeah. But I have to be back by 9:20. The library closes at nine on weekdays.

Not a problem. I’ll leave you off a couple of blocks from your house. Is that OK?

That would be great. I’ve never been in a guy’s car. I’m kinda embarrassed to say.

You’ll like my car. But I hope you like me more.

Your Camaro? wow
:)

It’s fast, so I’ll get you home on time.

Gerard, can I ask you something?

Ask away.

Are you chatting like this with any other girls?

Are you kidding? This takes time, and I’m a busy guy. What do I need more girls for when I have the best one? Just relax. This feels so right.

It feels right to me too. But my Mom can’t find out or I’m dead.

Part of being an adult is being able to keep a secret. Can you keep a secret, Cindy?

Sure I can.

Then we have nothing to worry about.

God, I can’t wait to see you this Tuesday. So we’ll meet at 322 Clancy Street in Richmond Hill?
said the girl.

I’ll see you then.