The Ghouls' Review Summer/Fall 2015 | Page 27

After listening to my experiences with the DLCx — I was careful not to call her Tootles in his presence — Ashram noted there were only two possible explanations. “It’s possible your car was infected by a malicious virus. However, I think we’d have heard of other vehicles with similar issues if such a virus existed. More likely is that your car’s software was reprogrammed deliberately. However, it appears that multiple systems in your DLCx were hacked, which would require a high degree of sophistication and knowledge of the vehicle. Frankly, nothing in your background indicates you have that capability.” “So I’m off the hook?” “I do technology, not law, but I don’t see how you could be held responsible, unless you are friends with a cabal of hackers, or a virtual Einstein of technology. You’re not, are you?” “Of course not.” But I wasn’t entirely sure. Shortly after I acquired my DLCx, Uncle Amit had been in the DC area for a week. He’d admired my car and I let him use it each day after dropping me off at work. When he left, he proclaimed that my DLCx was the most exquisite machine he’d “ever laid hands on.” I should have been more attentive to his word choice. Despite knowing him my entire life, I didn’t know how Uncle Amit earned his living. Whe