Chapter 9

The headline on the Internet, the first object on the screen:

"Cheney's Heart Restored to Normal Rhythm"

Life is full of disappointment, I sighed. Another day had passed, for instance, and still no call from the supposed investigator who would be assigned my case. Another day had passed filled with senseless, stupid headlines but with no police detective to interview me about the assault.

"McCain Sees Progress, Problems in Iraq"

Stupid . . .

"Tourist Boom Threatens Antarctica"

Senseless . . .

"NOVEMBER 26, 2007 - Last week's release of the annual Federal Bureau of Investigation Hate Crimes Statistics Report documents and quantifies the increase in anti-Latino sentiment and community tensions we see across the nation. . . Some of the key points from the report:

"A greater percentage of crimes motivated by national origin are committed against Hispanics compared to the previous year. In 2006, almost two-thirds of all ethnic-based hate crimes were committed against Hispanics.

"Since 2004, the number of victims of anti-Hispanic crimes increased by 25%.

"While most race-based and religion-based hate crimes involve intimidation instead of assault, most hate crimes against Hispanics (and Asian Americans, Indians and gays) were assaults. Anti-Hispanic crimes are more severe. Unlike every other group, only Hispanics suffered a greater number of aggravated assaults than simple assaults."

I wiped away the news screen and turned to check email. Maybe those investigators are a bit busy.