Read Online Speak the Dead by Grant McKenzie - Free Book Online Page B

hundred black T-shirts, all with different slogans that ended in either Suck or Sucks , like iPods Suck, Death Sucks, and Pandas Suck.
    On his hands and knees under the desk, Jersey discovered the computer had come unplugged from the wall socket. Rolling his eyes, he plugged it in and hit the power switch again. Instead of the expected triumphant Windows launch tune, however, the computer beeped in protest and flashed a cryptic BIOS message on the screen.
    â€œIt can’t find the hard drive,” Jersey said. “You got a screwdriver?”
    â€œBit early for me.”
    â€œNot the drink. The tool.”
    â€œOkay, but you sure you know what you’re doing?” Les started digging through drawers and cabinets.
    â€œI’ve been building these things for years.”
    â€œBuilding them? What the fuck for?”
    â€œFor fun. It’s a hobby. Challenges me, you know?”
    â€œWell, that’s stupid.” Les pulled a fat red multi-purpose screwdriver from a dusty drawer. “They come already built from the store.”
    â€œYeah, I know.” Jersey sighed. “But I like to customize them. You know, bump up the RAM, add a killer video card, slip in an over-clocked processor or water-cooling. Mod the case, some neon lighting…”
    â€œYeah, like I said, stupid.”
    Les handed Jersey the screwdriver. “You want that drink now?”
    â€œIt’s ten in the morning, and I’m on duty.”
    â€œI’m just talking a screwdriver. Vitamin C is good for you.”
    â€œMake it virgin, and I’ll take you up on it.”
    â€œSuit yerself.”
    When Les left the office, Jersey unscrewed the top of the screwdriver, found the right bit, and slipped it into the stem.
    When Les returned with his orange juice, Jersey said, “I’ve found your problem.”
    Les looked down at his computer lying open on the floor, a tangled mess of electronics and multi-colored wires.
    â€œWhat the fuck did you do?”
    â€œI just opened the case,” Jersey explained. “But I wasn’t the first. Your hard drive is missing.”
    â€œWell it must be in there somewhere.”
    Jersey grinned. “No, it’s not. Someone took it.”
    â€œWell, crap. All my records are on there. Payroll, work schedule, inventory, everything.”
    â€œYou have a backup?”
    â€œA what?”
    â€œAn external drive where you backup all your files.”
    â€œI don’t know what you’re talking about,” said Les. “I had the computer. It does all that stuff.”
    â€œNot anymore,” said Jersey. “Sorry.”
    â€œWell, fuck. I knew I should have stuck to using recipe cards. You never see good ol’ pen and paper giving you this much grief. Fucking technology, who needs it?”
    Les took a long gulp of his orange juice, grimaced and handed it to Jersey.
    â€œThat’s yours,” he said. “Tastes horrible without the booze.”
    Jersey accepted the glass and took a tentative sip. Surprisingly, it tasted fresh squeezed.
    â€œSo can I still get the Internet?” Les asked.
    â€œWithout a hard drive, you can’t do anything. Can you think of any reason why someone would want it?”
    â€œCan’t see it being any good to anyone but me.”
    â€œDid you watch the footage from the hit-and-run last night?”
    â€œDidn’t even think of it. The camera catches a good part of the alley, so it was probably on there. You think that’s why I got broken into?”
    Jersey shrugged. “We found the driver, but it couldn’t have been him. He’s dead.”
    â€œMaybe it was the Feds. I downloaded some movies the other week, just Asian porn, but still.”
    Jersey laughed. “I don’t think the Feds are interested in your peccadilloes.”
    â€œWhat? No, it was nothing like that. Just some girl-on-girl stuff.”
    â€œWell the action’s over until you get a