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The head of CNN news called in Linda Bellefleur, a resourceful and highly competent correspondent who, using her red-haired beauty along with her journalistic talents, had provided CNN with some of the worldwide network's most memorable scoops and who had just finished a story on the lingering tension between Iran and the United Arab Emirates over the strategically located islands in the Persian Gulf.
"Well, Linda," said her boss, Bruce Courts, smiling, "had enough of the Persian Gulf?"
"Depends." She smiled back. "What've we got?"145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7BGnbPIlD
"A wolf kill," he told her. "Seems that animal rights is one hot topic, and not just here in the States. We've got faxes, phone calls, e-mail pouring in from around the world. The Internet's become a battleground. There's been nothing else discussed on the phone-in shows."
Linda Bellefleur nodded. "I saw our snippet on it."
"Yeah, but that's all it was---a snipped. Local guy---freelancer in Seattle---gave us that, but we need in-depth on this. Do a hookup with you and Larry King and a few local people up in Washington State, pro and con. When can you leave?"
"This afternoon."
"You go, girl! Whoops, sorry. Patronizing male. I mean 'Good for you, Linda,' or something like that."
"You go, boy!" she riposted, her hand sweeping back a cascade of shining auburn hair.
He handed her a piece of paper with Jacobson, Bernstein, and the freelancer's name written on it. "Jacobson---that's the name of the forest ranger who killed the wolf. Couldn't find out a lot about him except that he might be soon have to defend himself from a bunch of those Ecotopian loonies. Poor guy's probably gonna wish he'd never left Seattle."145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0v3v6GkgIi
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As the cab made its way to her home in Druid Hills, one of Atlanta's wealthier suburbs, Bellefluer used her cellular to call Seattle and track down Mrs. Bernstein, who was "delighted" that CNN was sending up a correspondent. Everybody watched Linda Bellefluer.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDHtjczbj0
Was there anything Mrs. Bernstein could tell her about this Ranger Jacobson? Bellefluer asked her.
"What more can I tell you?" Bernstein replied, her tone oozing contempt. "He's an animal murderer. But he'll answer to us very soon, I promise you."
"Who is 'us'?" said Linda Bellefluer.
"We are the Ecotopian Wolverine Division," said Mrs. Bernstein.
"Ecotopian?!" She suddenly saw another angle to the story. A "two-in-one." A gang of left-wing crazies facing off against a lone forest ranger who was only trying to do his job. Christ, it could be a CNN special report.
"Don't you love our name?"
"It's fitting," said Linda, making a note that suddenly turned into a childish scribble as the cabbie swerved to avoid a Rollerbladder. "Fuckmunch!"
"Excuse me?!" asked Mrs. Bernstein.
"I said it's fitting."
"Of course," said Mrs. Bernstein. "We admire the wolves' independence. Lone wolves, Jack London, and all the wonderful literature about them. That's why we resent our own government ordering this man to go kill them."
Linda made arrangements to meet her in Sedro Woolley, 68 driving miles north of Seattle on the highway leading into the Cascades. Next Linda found the number of Mrs. Bernstein's friend, Sky Clinton, a self-styled Ecotopian warden, called him up, but was only able to leave a message on his answering machine. It was 4:15; a quarter past 1 in the North Cascades. The West was always behind New York.
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