بخش 05 - فصل 19

19

Hodges and his two apprentice detectives arrive on Harper Road shortly before threethirty. Holly shoots a cursory glance around, then totes the late Mrs. Hartsfield’s laptop into the kitchen and powers it up. Jerome and Hodges stand by, both hoping there will be no password screen . . . but there is.

“Try her name,” Jerome says. Holly does. The Mac shakes its screen: no. “Okay, try Debbie,” Jerome says. “Both the ­ie one and the one that ends with an i.” Holly brushes a clump of mouse-brown hair out of her eyes so he can see her annoyance clearly. “Find something to do, Jerome,

okay? I don’t want you looking over my shoulder. I hate that.” She shifts her attention to Hodges. “Can I smoke in here? I hope I can. It helps me think. Cigarettes help me think.” Hodges gets her a saucer. “Smoking lamp’s lit. Jerome and I will be in my study. Give a holler if you find something.” Small chance of that, he thinks. Small chance of

anything, really. Holly pays no attention. She’s lighting up. She’s left the revival-preacher voice behind and returned to mumbling. “Hope she left a hint. I have hint-hope. Hint-hope is what Holly has.” Oh boy, Hodges thinks. In the study, he asks Jerome if he has any idea what kind of hint she’s talking about.

“After three tries, some computers will give you a password hint. To jog your memory in case you forget. But only if one has been programmed.” From the kitchen there comes a hearty, non-mumbled cry: “Shit! Double shit! Triple shit!” Hodges and Jerome look at each other.

“Guess not,” Jerome says.