Michael left EOE feeling distracted as he turned the details of the case over in his head. He must have looked as out of it as he felt because Kitt opened the door for him as he approached the car.

"How did it go?" Kitt asked.

"I'm not sure, pal. It may just be coincidence, but the thief or thieves did take the specifications that the Foundation provided EOE."

"That is a bit disconcerting."

"Yeah. So how about you? Did your scanners pick up anything interesting?"

"Not inside, Michael. But there's a woman who appears to be watching the building."

Michael kept his head straight but his eyes immediately began sweeping the area, looking for her.

"There's a silver BMW parked in a stall 200 feet from our current position. She's been here as long as we have, and other than using a pay phone, she hasn't left the car.

Michael slowly turned, glancing only briefly in the direction of the suspicious vehicle. "Did you trace the call?"

"No. She made it shortly after we arrived so it didn't strike me as unusual. I assumed she was waiting for someone."

"She still could be."

"Yes, but she seems to be attempting to be clandestine about it. She's been ducked down in the car most of the time and I've scanned her vitals -- she appears to be rather nervous about something."

Michael nodded. "Run the plates. See if anything interesting pops up. In the meantime, let's take a drive around the block and see what happens."

Michael put the car in gear and they pulled out of their parking space.

"She just started her engine." Kitt informed him.

"It certainly didn't take long to draw attention, did it pal?"

"It would appear not."

They pulled out of the parking lot and turned a corner. They had barely gone half a block when Kitt said, "Michael, the woman pulled out of her parking space. I'd suggest continuing straight so that she can follow us if that's her intent."

"A very good idea, pal."

They drove slowly through a traffic light, careful that she would have time to make it through as well.

"Still following, huh?" Michael observed as he spotted the car in the rearview mirror again.

"Yes."

"Okay, pal, she wants to chase us, I suggest we let her. Let's lure her to a less crowded area and find out what this is all about."

Kitt displayed the shortest route to a two-lane county highway that led out of town. Michael was driving, keeping their speed constant while Kitt manipulated the traffic lights so that their mystery tail didn't have too much trouble keeping up with them. The strip malls and residences quickly gave way to more and more vacant lots. The street went from six lanes to four to two and then began to curve through the scraggy hills.

"She's not very good at tailing," Michael said with another glance in the mirror. Even without Kitt's abilities he would have noticed her by now. She was way too obvious. "Kitt, you aren't detecting any weapons in the car are you?"

"No, Michael. She does seem to have a pocketknife on her person, but that appears to be the extent of it."

"Let's bring this to an end and find out what she's up to. Where's the next turn off?"

"It's half a mile to the right. There's a narrow road that leads to the subdivision up on the hill closest to us.

Michael glanced at the precariously situated houses in a cluster along the edge. "Perfect."

He slowed the car, and signaled as the BMW came into sight around a corner. Michael turned and was surprised when the BMW didn't follow. It continued around the bend of the hill.

"Kitt?" he asked slowly.

"She's turning around and heading back this way as we speak."

Michael grinned. "Gotcha." They went a little further up the hill and then Michael turned sharply, leaving the Trans Am blocking both lanes of the narrow road.

"Here she comes, Michael."

The BMW came around the bend and the driver was obviously surprised to see the Trans Am sitting there. She slammed on her brakes and skidded to a halt. To Michael's surprise, she flew out of the vehicle and started shouting at him.

"What the hell are you doing? You could've gotten me killed!"

Michael got of the car, using his height to tower over her. The blonde woman didn't seem at all impressed or deterred. "I'm just curious why you're following me," he said.

"I'm not following you! What are you talking about?" She crossed her arms in front of her chest defensively and glared at him. She was young, but hard-looking. Her features were sharp and there was a scar running along her cheek. Her t-shirt was yellowing and her jeans were covered with a not-so-fine layer of dirt. She looked much too bedraggled to be driving a BMW.

"Come on. You were hanging out in the parking lot outside Electro-Optic Enterprises and you've been following me since I left."

"I have no idea what you're talking about. I was waiting for this bitch that's cheating with my boyfriend. I was going to tell her how it is."

"Oh really? Then why'd you leave?"

"Because I was hoping to see her, but I don't know when the bitch works. I figured since she didn't leave with the rest of the jerks in her office, she wasn't there today."

"Uh-huh. So what are you doing following me up here?" he asked, gesturing to the houses above them.

"I live up here."

Michael rolled his eyes. "Right. Like you own this car. Who'd you steal it from?"

"No one. It's my boyfriend's."

"Oh? The same one who's cheating on you?" Michael asked with a raised brow.

She glowered at him. "Yeah. So?"

"Boyfriend got a name?"

"What're you a cop or something?"

"Or something. What's his name?"

The woman stood her ground. "I don't have to tell you nothing. I didn't do nothing wrong."

"I'd like to believe you, but your story doesn't add up. And if I find out you've been lying to me, I'll be back." Michael turned and marched back to Kitt, completely frustrated. "What do you think, pal?"

"According to her vitals, she was lying much of the time, but the car hasn't been reported stolen. It's registered to a Jake Simon of 426 Seneca Lane, Apartment 2E."

"Good work, buddy. Maybe we should have a talk with him. And see if you can't get an ID on our friend here," he said, tilting his head toward the blonde.

"Of course."

He put the car into reverse and cleared one lane. The BMW flew past them up the road and disappeared around the bend.


Michael and Kitt drove back into town as the sun set behind them. Kitt plotted a course to Jake Simon's apartment as he continued trying to identify the woman who'd been following them. Michael was driving but Kitt could tell he was distracted, so he was monitoring the road, ready to step in if necessary.

"You're concerned about the case aren't you?" Kitt asked, knowing his partner's silences.

Michael nodded slight. "Yeah, pal, I am. Something doesn't feel right."

"A hunch?"

Michael snorted softly, "Something like that. There are just too many pieces that aren't added up to anything."

They arrived at the apartment complex on Seneca Lane. The stucco buildings all had large balconies overlooking a perfectly manicured courtyard and pool, complete with a waterfall and natural rock landscaping.

"Looks like an expensive place, pal."

"It is. According to my information, these are very high-end apartments."

"Fits with the BMW but not the dirty jeans and ratty t-shirt, huh?"

"Yes, Michael."

"Well, let's see if Mr. Simon can shed some more light on what's going on here."

Kitt watched carefully as Michael approached the door. He knocked and stepped back, casually rocking on his heels. When no one answered the door, Michael activated his comlink.

"Kitt, is there anyone home?"

Kitt scanned the apartment. "I'm afraid not."

"Anything unusual inside?"

"Not that my scanners are detecting." Kitt was momentarily distracted when he got a hit on a possible match to the woman they met earlier.

"Okay." He started to back away from the door.

"Would you like me to open it?" Kitt asked.

Michael hesitated. "Nah. We don't have any evidence that this guy's even involved. For all we know, his car was stolen while was he was on vacation. I think it's a little premature for breaking and entering."

"Since when have you let that stop you?" Kitt needled. He just caught the tail end of his partner's eye roll as Michael strolled back down the sidewalk and rejoined him.

"Wise guy," he groused when he got to the car.

"You'll be happy to know I have some information that might shed some light on the situation. I've identified our mystery stalker."

"Good work, pal. Who is she?"

Kitt displayed the mug shot on his video monitor. "Her name is Christy Hetherman, and she's no stranger to the police."

"So I see. That's quite a rap sheet. Any highlights?"

"She was just released from the California Institute for Women. She was incarcerated for grand theft auto, but she's had previous run-ins with the justice system -- forgery, assault and battery, theft, and disturbing the peace."

"Sounds like a peach. Anything else? So far she doesn't sound much like a high-tech thief."

"No. Decidedly low-tech. According to her parole information, she's thirty years old with no family to speak of, she's in between jobs, and she's working toward a GED."

Michael sighed. "You're sure the BMW wasn't stolen?"

"It wasn't reported as stolen, no."

"This still doesn't make sense, but she's our only lead. Do you have an address?"

"Yes."

"Okay, let's go."