"Hello, professor."

Eve sat on his couch and lit a cigarette.

"Hello, Eve" God, she hated that calm, guarded voice. "Have you seen any more of Vamdamm this week?"

"Yes, we spent and last night together and he's just popped off to his apartment for a bit. We'll be meeting up again later this afternoon."

"Good, very good. Did you get any valuable information from him?"

"Sort of. He met with a man named Saul Davis, at least that's the name he goes by. I met him in Houston; he has a moustache and a dog if that helps."

"Yes, that's quite a familiar name at the agency. He's not as high powered as Vandamm, of course, but he can give and get information with the best of them."

"Is there anything else you need from me, professor?"

"As a matter of fact, there is."

"Why am I not surprised?"

The professor ignored her comment and continued.

"Miss Kendall, you have been extremely helpful to us, you know that I'm sure."

"You're welcome."

"However, information about who he meets and where doesn't give us the whole picture, if you will."

"Can't you bribe someone at the post office to read his mail and report back to you?"

"Miss Kendall please, we are asking you to, how shall I say it? Become part of what Mr. Vandamm does. If you could find out exactly what information he's getting and where or who he's delivering it to. In spite of the lies he's told you about his work, I have no doubt he trusts you enough to tell you everything if you press the issue hard enough."

She remained silent for a few moments, staring at her brown pumps Philip had bought for her.

"Why not? It's no worse than what I'm doing now, I suppose."

"Good girl."

She and Philip went to his apartment after dinner. She had made sure to ask to go to a place more famous for its drinks than its food, so Philip was mildly tipsy when they sat on the couch together.

"Philip?"

"Yes, dear?"

"While you were in Chicago, I realized I don't know what it is you do exactly."

"Haven't we been through this?" he pleaded, gently nuzzling and kissing her neck. "Besides. I think I just swallowed some of your perfume."

"Philip, please." She put her hand on his shoulder and gently pushed him away. "Don't you trust me? You know I won't care; I love you."

"Oh, darling" he sighed and straightened his tie. "You, um, you might not love me so much in a few minutes."

She put her hand on his knee and stroked his hair. "Please, Philip."

He bit his lip and pushed her arm away and looked straight ahead.

"Well, it had to come out at some point. A few years ago, I happened to find myself in possession of some rather sensitive government materials, don't—please don't ask how, and I was contacted by the Russian government who was prepared to offer me a rather outrageous sum of money for it. And, um, I agreed. So, the transaction occurred and I've been doing it ever since."

Eve sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. "I thought it might be something like that." She had wanted to cry when he told her, to add an extra touch of authenticity, and the tears came easily.

He smiled slightly "What tipped you off?"

"I don't know. You had me fooled at first, but I just have a naturally suspicious mind. I didn't think it was possible for someone to make so much money in a government job. First I thought you might be a drug dealer or some sort of black market seller, but then you wouldn't leave New York all the time with just your light little briefcase and it's not likely you'd be this rich. So, then I realized you must have something really valuable that you're giving to someone who can pay you handsomely for it. It really wasn't too big a leap from there. I—this doesn't change how I feel about you"

He smiled again and squeezed her hand. "I know I should have told you sooner, but by the time I realized how much I…enjoyed being with you, I thought it was too late."

She took a deep breath, glad that her shaky voice wasn't out of place considering the situation. "Philip, I want to help you."

"No" he replied with a little laugh. "No, darling. Your devotion is really very touching, but I can't let you do it. If they ever caught you, there would certainly be consequences. You mean too much to me, and I would never forgive myself if something happened to you."

"But aren't I already in danger, being your girlfriend?"

"No. I assure you, neither government has reached that level of shamefulness yet. I'm sure they assume you don't know anything. If you were to help me, though, you could be arrested. They could make sure you never get a job or place to live in this country again. They'd certainly try to bribe you, which is another reason I don't want you helping me."

"Philip, do you really think I can be bought like that?"

"I was."

"Philip, that's different. I love you. You're not even American, so of course you wouldn't have been bothered by um…"

"'Betraying' is the word you're looking for, dear."

"All right. Betraying America wouldn't have mattered so much to you, and why should it? I love you, though, and I could never do that to you. You know that." It had been convincing and she knew it by the look on his face.

"Well, let's not make any decisions right away. I just finished handing off a shipment, so I won't be needed again for awhile."

"You'll think about it?"

"Yes, I will think about it. I really don't see why you want to, though. You've been on trips with me before, and I promise you, the transaction itself is little more than meeting up with a stranger in a seedy part of town and swapping briefcases.

She sighed. "I don't know, I just feel as though you'd be safer with me there and I can't imagine staying home now; I'd be panicked about you every second you were away. If something's going to happen to you, I want to be there."

He laughed again, which made Eve feel even more confident than before. "Darling, let me be perfectly clear, I am in no danger whatsoever. If I should be caught, I have no compunction about telling the government everything I know, in return for some protection. From what I hear, they are remarkably agreeable about that kind of thing. And besides, I don't know very much at all, just the names of a few contacts, which could be aliases, and when I do get a good look at blueprints or the like, I can never make sense of the damn things." He kissed her neck and she pushed him away, holding him back at arm's length.

"Then if it's so safe, you should take me along."

"I told you I would think about it. Don't make me change my mind."

She dropped her arm and he leaned in, kissing her firmly on the lips.