The Big Bad Wolf

CHAPTER 81

I WASN_T SURE how to react to the Wolf, or his message to Sphinx. Should I speak now?

Did he know we were on to him? How could he?

Sterling 66: Now what’s your problem, Mr. Potter?

This was my chance. I wanted to try and draw out Wolf if I could. But could I pull it off? I

was aware that everyone was watching me in the operation room.

I don’t have a problem, I typed. I’m just ready for another boy. U know I’m good for it.

Haven’t I always been?

Sterling 66: UR ready for another boy? U just recently received “Worcester.” About a week

ago?

I typed: Yes, but he’s left us.

Sphinx 3000: That’s very funny. U R so cute, Potter. Such a cute psycho killer.

Sphinx didn’t like Potter, did he? I had to assume the feeling was mutual. I typed, I love U

too. We should get together and bond in person.

Sterling 66: When U say “He’s left us,” I assume U mean that he’s dead?

Mr.Potter: Yes, the dear boy passed. I’m over my grieving, though. Ready to move on.

Sphinx 3000: Hilarious.

This bickering was starting to get on my nerves. Who the hell were these sick bastards? Where

were they? Besides cyberspace?

I have someone in mind. I’ve been watching him for awhile, I typed.

Sphinx 3000: I’ll bet he’s gorgeous.

I typed: Oh, he is. One of a kind. The love of my life.

Sterling 66: U said that about Worcester. What city?

I typed: Boston. Cambridge, actually. He’s a student at Harvard. Working for his doctorate.

Argentinean, I believe. Rides polo ponies in the summer.

Sterling 66: Where did U bump into this one, Potter?

The next tidbit I’d gotten from Homer Taylor himself. Actually, I did bump into him. He’s so

firm.

Sphinx 3000: Where did you meet him? Tell, tell.

I typed: I was at Harvard for a symposium.

Sterling 66: On?

I typed: Milton. Of course.

Sterling 66: He was attending?

I typed: No, I literally bumped into him. In the men’s room. I watched him for the rest of the

day. Found out where he lived. Been studying him for three months.

Sterling 66: So why did U purchase Worcester?

I knew the question was coming. Impulse, I typed. Then, But this boy in Cambridge,

that_struelove. Notacasual thing.

Sterling 66: So U have a name? An address?

I typed: I do. And I have my checkbook.

Sterling 66: Worcester won’t be found? U R certain?

I could hear Potter’s voice in my head as I typed.

Good Lord, no. Not unless someone goes swimming in my septic tank.

Sphinx 3000: Gross, Potter. I love it.

Sterling 66: Well, if U have checkbook in hand.

Wolf: No. We’ll wait on this. It’s too soon,

Potter. We’ll get back to you. As always, I’ve enjoyed our talk, but I have other matters to

attend to.

Wolf signed off. He was gone. Shit. He’d come and gone just like that. The mystery man, as

always. Who was this bastard?

I stayed on-line, chatting with the others for a few minutes expressing my disappointment

at the decision, my eagerness to make a purchase. Then I left the site too.

I looked around the operation room at my colleagues. A few began to clap, partly mocking me,

but mostly it was genuinely congratulatory. Cop-to-cop stuff. Almost like old times. I felt

marginally accepted by the others in the room. For the first time, actually.