Chapter 5
"That went well!" Michaela exclaimed sarcastically.
"I thought so too," K.A.I.S.Y. replied. "We managed to find a lead."
"I was being sarcastic," Michaela said, taking control of the wheel, now that they had put some distance between themselves and the Stalov residence.
"Oh. I have yet to master sarcasm. K.I.T.T. has told me he still has some difficulty with it, as well."
"Not to worry, I'll help you figure it out. Now, pull up a list of all rentals paid for in cash in and around L.A. Include houses, warehouses, everything."
The list that came up on the monitor was huge.
"Whoa! Let's see what we can eliminate. Stalov is pulling out five thousand a month. Assuming she's using some of that for electricity, etcetera, let's get rid of anything with a price of forty-five hundred or more."
The list shortened, somewhat.
"Dr. Stalov would need computers, right? Perhaps we should eliminate rentals not using enough electricity to power several computers twenty-four/seven," K.A.I.S.Y. offered.
"Okay, go ahead."
The list dropped to twenty rentals. Most of them were warehouses, but there were a few houses.
"She'd need room and privacy. Drop any houses not on at least two acres. Also drop any houses without a garage."
Four houses dropped off the list.
"Drop any warehouses not surrounded by vacant land or empty warehouses."
Two warehouses dropped off the list. They were now left with a list of fourteen. Thirteen warehouses and one house.
"Pinpoint the locations of what's left on the map, please," Michaela requested.
A map took the place of the list on K.A.I.S.Y.'s monitor. Glowing red dots showed the locations of the thirteen warehouses and one house. They were scattered throughout L.A. and the surrounded area. The closest was only blocks away from their current position. The farthest was nearly a hundred miles away.
"I guess we don't have much choice but to check them all. I can't think of any other way to narrow down the search." Michaela slammed her hands down on the steering wheel in frustration, "I don't even know if we're on the right track! They may not even be in this area."
"We'll find them," K.A.I.S.Y. reassured her. "Stalov seemed surprised by me, so they may even come after us."
Michaela grinned sheepishly at K.A.I.S.Y.'s voice modulator. "You're right, we'll find them, or they'll find us. Let's go check out those rentals. We'll start with the closest and work our way out to the farthest."
At the next intersection, Michaela spun the wheel, sending them flying around a corner a little faster than was required.