Letourneau would never let this go to court. He would use the same influence that got Danny into Christendom court to stop this one. If Letourneau was the perpetrator behind the angel hoax, then he surely wouldn't want to have Michael busted for LINK-crimes, because that would implicate him.
"Your help with what?" the FBI agent probed. He inched closer to me.
I looked down at the silvery bead in my hand. Something was screwy with this scenario. The uselessness of the bead seemed a clear indication that Michael and Jibril had set me up. If Michael was in cahoots with the FBI, then why did the agent keep stressing that they wanted Michael, not me?
"Deidre, you were saying something." The agent stood next to me. His shadow eclipsed the artificial light. In the sudden darkness, I shivered.
There was no way to tell what was the right thing to do. I had to act on my gut feeling. The question was: Did I betray Michael like I had Danny? Could I live with myself if I made the same mistake again?
"No," I said out loud. "Find another informant."
Excerpt from the broadband Associated Press LINKS, March 3, 2076.
SATANISM CHARGED IN SENATE RACE
The California Senate race eclipsed the presidential campaign briefly today when the incumbent Reverend-Senator Cliff Jacobs (New Right Collation) denounced his opponent, Raven Starwater (Earth Powers Collective) as a Satanist.
"The 'Earth Powers Coop' are a bunch of hippie-freak Satanists who smear the sanctity of this High Office," said Jacobs before a supportive crowd. "If Ms. Starwater looked into her crystal ball, she'd see who's going to win this election: good always triumphs over evil."
In a press conference at Earth Powers headquarters in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco, Reverend Starwater denied allegations that her organization has ever tolerated an unrecognized religious group, such as Satanists. For her own religious beliefs, she said, "My citizenship card is valid. The United States Government has validated the nature of my 'goodness.' The Reverend-Senator is not qualified to judge the validity of my religion." (hot-link here to entire speech by Rev. Starwater.)
Earth Powers is a cooperative of New Age spiritualists. The organization achieved governmental accreditation only last year, thanks in part to the controversial Taft-Pallis Act. Taft-Pallis guarantees accreditation to any religious group, regardless of numbers of members, which can prove a long history of practice in America or a belief in one God. The Act was ratified due to pressure from the American Indian Movement (AIM), the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and the American Catholics.
Despite the Act's stated favoritism toward Original American rights, it was the Wiccans of Massachusetts who were the first to register under this Act, claiming their history of practice in America can be substantiated by the Salem witch trials. As more and more formally outlawed groups discover ways to prove a history of practice, the Act has fallen under harsh criticism. Presidential candidate Etienne Letourneau (New Right) has vowed to find a way to "strike a blow against this regressive Act and make America safe from the lunatic fringe."
Chapter 9
The agent shook his fist in my face and yelled something threatening. At least, I assumed it was belligerent by the way his reddened face contorted. I should've heard shouting, but instead a melodic, disembodied voice seemed to echo: By an act of faith, it is done.
Stars of light appeared in my peripheral vision. Sound filled my ears, like a thousand voices talking at once. I thought I was about to pass out, so I waited for everything to fade. Instead of fading, suddenly things became super-focused. The room seemed brighter. The sensation was much as if I'd just removed sunglasses.
A digital time readout blinked into existence in the upper right-hand edge of my vision. To the left a visual, radio, data, and subvocal frequencies monitor winked. I could feel the pulse of the city again. Weather information appeared at a thought. The satellite traffic grids from six different cities spiraled into view. I flipped manically through all 327 video and entertainment bands. Light-headed with the bombardment of sensations, I gripped the edge of the chair.
Superimposed over the vision of the interrogation room, the words Urgent Message flashed. Atrophied , mental muscles took over, and with a thought I tripped the go-ahead response.
Dee, it's me, Mouse's page overwhelmed my senses. I had to shut my eyes to get rid of the nauseating effect. The page streaked down a busy Cairo street on in-line skates, weaving around mixed traffic of cars, motorcycles, and camels. Dust flew everywhere. He looked skyward, as though my eyes were a floating camera. You just surfaced like a fucking submarine. No, man, more like a goddamned armored U-boat ... and the LINK is the Lusitania. You rock, girl. Turning serious, he added, "What's going on? Are you okay? A LINK break like yours is going to make some waves, if you know what I mean.
With one part of my consciousness, I frantically began to sever newly formed connections to the LINK. The readouts vanished at my command. Sparing one thin tendril, I sent a real-time reply command to Mouse's house.
I opened my eyes and focused on the agent. He leaned over me, his fists pressed hard against the tabletop. "Do you understand what I'm saying to you?" he asked. "This kind of grandstanding will get you nowhere. Don't you understand? Angelucci and his ilk are dangerous."
I breathed a sigh of relief. The agent appeared unaware that I was now fully LINKed. I opened my palm, and stared at the bead. A biochemical transfusion? Was it possible Jibril discovered a way to reopen LINK connections through skin contact?
"Maybe you don't grasp the seriousness of this situation, Ms. McMannus?" the agent was saying. "If you don't cooperate, we're going to have to book you as an accomplice to terrorism."
Dee? A small, floating window opened up. Mouse's face was tight with concern. Sorry it took so long to get back to you, but you're hard to trace. My page tells me that a second ago you were everywhere. But, now ... poof! He shrugged, Anyway, thanks for leaving the line open, otherwise, I never would've found you.
You're welcome. I switched to subvocal. Michael Angelucci and I were picked up by the FBI. Have you heard?
Mouse nodded. Terrorism again? His mouth smiled broadly, but his eyes looked worried. Won't you ever learn?
The agent rapped hard on the table. "Are you listening to me?"
"You were threatening me with prison, I believe." I smiled sarcastically at the agent. "Do go on."
In the corner, Mouse's face scrunched up. Ouch. I heard that. Do you think that was wise? The Feebs have got a serious case against you.
How do you know what kind of case they have against me, Mouse?
"You're damn right you're going to do time. I thought you were reasonable, McMannus." The agent threw up his hands.
Mouse shrugged. It's obvious you're in trouble, that's all. Hey, I did that search on this Michael guy, and let me tell you, he's no angel.
Michael's not an angel anymore, you mean, I reminded Mouse. Anyway, maybe the terrorists are the good guys this time.
What are you talking about? Mouse frowned, drawing his eyebrows together.
I don't have time to explain right now. Mouse, when was the last time you browned out New York?