That whole era predates me, but the whole thing seems hazy anyway and Luke is probably the only one that remembers with any precision. But I think it went something like:

1. Luke printed that Wallice was HIV+.

2. Everyone denied, Luke retracted.

3. Wallice tested positive. AIM released a test that Wallice had gotten from some hokey clinic to prove that he hadn't been knowingly working while HIV+. Showing their competance, AIM didn't notice that it was actually the test of a middle-aged female.

4. Between #2 and #3, rumors were spreading like contagion. I think I recall reading about a year ago that Tricia accused Sharon Mitchell of helping to spread the more lacivious ones about Tricia.

5. After #3, Luke went down to AIM for a big hug session with Margold and Sharon. This probably conflated Luke with the two of them in her or her husband's mind.


I've picked this all up second hand, so feel free to correct if something is out of place or not included.

Da Burglar can probably attest, intravenous use is hardcore and wasn't really a staple of '90s addiction until people went around the bend on it. There was actually a myth back then that you couldn't get hooked if you just inhaled (chasing the dragon) and stayed away from needles altogether. Of course, for a junkie anything but shooting up is a waste of product, they all eventually use needles if my high-class clientele is any guide.

Frankly, if I came down with a potentially fatal STD and people were openly speculating that I sucked a dirty syringe rather than Wallice's Dick of Death, I might be a bit huffy too. I have no clue what's the truth, I don't know any of these people, but I could see how she would be touchy about it if that wasn't true.