OUTSKIRTS OF TABRIZ

The abandoned shack just on the outskirts of Tabriz had few comforts in it. There was a bedroll, a candle and a few books, some of which were in English, Jamie noted.

Paree smiled at the taller woman, It isn't much, but when there is nothing else--

--Hey, it's better than sleeping in an alley. Jamie smiled at the girl, then sat down on the bedroll. Paree, you seem very outgoing for a teenage girl in Iran. How did you learn English?

I have read much from your American literature.

How did you even get English books here?

There is a black market for such things, and my teacher buys them for me. She says a woman with my mind should exercise it.

I think your teacher is a very wise woman.

Jamie.....why are you here in Tabriz? Why were those men chasing you?

I'm an investigative reporter from California - do you know where that is?

It's on the west coast of the United States.

That's right. I'm here to write an article about life in your country.

And the men?

I'm afraid I stared at them. I'm not used to keeping my eyes trained to the ground, it's very different where I'm from.

Why are you dressed in a chador then? Why not just come here as an American reporter?

The girl was extremely bright, and Jamie knew she needed to exit the conversation, or the girl might catch on to things that would only wind up hurting her.

I wanted to know what life is like for women here, what better way than to try and be one? Before the girl could answer, Jamie continued, Listen, I'm going to head back into the city now, and look around. Will you be okay?

The girl laughed, a very pleasant sound, somewhat musical, Of course! I will be at a villager's house tonight, her husband is traveling on business. You can stay here, if you need to.

Thank you, Paree. I might just do that.

The agent turned to look at the girl, so she continued, When you have time maybe tomorrow or the next day, will you tell me about life in America? I really want to learn about it from someone who lives there.

I'd love to.

Jamie smiled and left the shack, heading back to the city. She wondered how long the girl would last in Tabriz if some of the more conservative people realized just how bright she really was. For one of her age, she possessed an intelligence and a wisdom that was not only well beyond her years, but was equal to many of the great revolutionary thinkers of modern times. With more education and access to Western ideas...... Paree might be a leader who could end the oppression of women in her country.

Jamie did not want to allow herself to continue the train of thought; there was a mission to complete. Besides, Paree was a thirteen year old girl, not a revolutionary. Still, a mind like hers was a rarity in any country.

*****************

TABRIZ CAFE
BASEMENT

The small man with the glasses and lab coat moved from one table full of glass vials to another, checking and calculating at a computer set up in between. His complexion was far too pale to be of the region; and indeed, he was not. He heard the approaching footfalls and sighed deeply.

He turned, irritated, How many times must I tell you not to interrupt me?

Don't take that tone with me, Dr. Gillespie.

The small man's nose twitched slightly, and he nervously pushed his glasses further up to keep them from sliding down, I wasn't taking a tone, Ahkmed, but if you want my calculations to turn these samples into live weapons, I need the time and quiet in which to do that, don't I?

We need to move your lab.

You can't! These samples are at a critical stage, any jarring movement could ruin them. Why in the hell do we need to move?

An American woman dressed in a chador and hijab showed up in the city today. She seemed far too interested in the café for it to be a coincidence, and she was quite skilled in self-defense. She is probably a government agent.

Government agent? That's ridiculous.

You've said yourself that the O.S.I. has vast resources.

Yes, but to track me this quickly....and then to send a woman into Tabriz? That's insane.

Perhaps. But maybe they thought a woman would simply not be noticed. It does not matter. We will move your lab, and then we will deal with the woman.

Ahkmed headed toward the door, but Gillespie's voice made him turn back, You should have disposed of her when you first saw her. I don't like this. I don't like it at all.

No one is paying you to like it, doctor. Just make good on the biotoxin, collect your money, and we will never have to see each other again.

Ahkmed walked out the door, closing it behind him.

******************

CITY OF TABRIZ

Jamie found a quiet alley on the edge of the city. Her check-in was long overdue, and she knew that Oscar had probably paced a hole in the carpet by now. She sat down on an overturned bucket, and removed the makeshift hijab from her face. It was good to feel air circulating around her mouth and nose again.

She pulled the small radio out from under her chador, and yanked the antennae up.

She depressed a button and spoke into the mouthpiece, Snow White, come in, this is Grumpy. Do you read?

There was nothing but static on the other end. She tried again.

Snow White, this is Grumpy.....how do you read?

Still nothing. Jamie could only hope that it was a temporary reception problem, and not some kind of damage to the radio. She looked around for a more comfortable place to sit. The café would have to wait until nightfall; the Cro-Magnon warriors currently inhabiting the place were not about to invite her in.

Jamie settled on the ground, leaning against a building, hidden behind a pile of trash. She pulled out the watch in the pocket of the pants she wore underneath the chador; there wasn't a lot of time left before her scheduled pick-up at the rendezvous point. She had to get into the lab, safely dispose of any working samples, find all the relevant files and destroy any duplicates; then make her way back to the sand dunes - all before three a.m.

At least she didn't have to deal with securing Gillespie. Oscar figured that the man was going to get what he deserved once he found himself unable to deliver to hopping mad terrorists. And when he had explained it to Jamie, his eyes had been unable to cover his amusement. Jamie couldn't keep the small smile that played across her lips; it was so like Oscar to see the logical solution to the more complicated aspects of a mission, and then be entertained by it.

Her mind drifted to the fact that she had been unable to contact him since her arrival in the god-forsaken arid hellhole she was in. Oscar was most likely beside himself with worry by now. Jamie hoped that he wasn't blowing a gasket, driving Rudy and Callahan nuts, or worse, offering his resignation to the Secretary.

It was nearing six o'clock, and many people were out and about, some heading home, some out for the evening. Her alley was more of a thoroughfare than she had anticipated. She needed to find a safer location in which to wait: Paree's shack. Jamie gathered herself together and quickly headed to the outskirts of the city.

*****************

OSCAR GOLDMAN'S OFFICE
O.S.I., WASHINGTON D.C.

The morning sunlight was streaming in through the windows of the office, but the sole occupant was sound asleep. He was still lying on the couch, head on the pillow where Rudy had placed it, blanket covering him. He did not stir when the office door opened, and the man who had shot him up with a sedative the night before, entered quietly.

Rudy was carrying a large brown bag, which he set carefully on the coffee table. He sat down next to it, and gently shook the shoulder of the sleeping man.

Oscar......c'mon, wake up.

The tall man moaned slightly and turned his head away from the noise.

Wells shook his friend a little harder, No kidding pal, it's time for you to look alive. Let's go..... Come on Oscar...

Goldman's eyes slowly fluttered open, and he instinctively raised a hand to cover the brightness of the light in the room. His head pounded like the worst hangover in creation, but he couldn't remember what had-- Rudy.

He glared at the man sitting on the coffee table, his voice groggy and full of sleep, What the hell did you shoot me up with anyway? Tranquilizer for a gorilla?

Yeah, that was it exactly.

This isn't funny, Rudy......

I just wanted you to sleep through the night. How do you feel?

Perfectly dreadful.

Rudy took a long look at the tired eyes and pallid complexion of the man lying before him, and concern washed through him anew.

You really don't look good, Oscar.

Oscar started to push himself up, and Rudy pulled him the rest of the way.

All thanks to you, pal......I feel hung over.

Rudy checked Oscar's pulse, You'll feel better after you eat something. Goldman groaned at the suggestion of food, but Rudy was unmoved, No kidding. I've got scrambled eggs, toast and bacon.

Oscar leaned back into the couch, holding his head, You sure know how to cheer a guy up, Rudy.....just tell me there's coffee.

Yeah, there's coffee.

Rudy handed him a cup, and as Oscar took it, their eyes locked; they couldn't avoid it any longer.

Goldman pulled the top off the coffee and took a sip, Still no word?

I'm afraid not.

Why the hell did I let her go in, Rudy? What was I thinking?

This isn't your fault, Oscar, anymore than Gillespie taking off is..... You're not omnipotent, anymore than you are clairvoyant.

Oscar pushed down the emotions trying to bubble up inside him, and stared into his coffee, Tell that to Jamie.

Wells nodded, Try not to worry.

Goldman let out a long unsteady sigh of air, like he was having trouble catching his breath.

Rudy placed a hand on Oscar's shoulder, gently squeezing it, You okay?

Sure. I'm just...I don't know, a little tired I think.

Rudy took in his friend's waning pallor, and noticed the fine sheen of sweat that had broken out on Oscar's forehead. He reached up and felt the warmth emanating from Oscar's face. Rudy removed the cup from his hand, and set it on the table. He gently probed the area around Oscar's throat, and found that the glands there were enlarged. Too tired to fight him off, Oscar leaned back into the soft cushions of the couch, ignoring Rudy's examination of him.

His nose started to run, so he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped it. He felt hot, tired and fatigued; and now he had the sniffles. Obviously, he was coming down with a cold. He was startled when Rudy grabbed the handkerchief from his hand and looked at it, then wordlessly tilted Oscar's head to look at his nose.

Oscar tried to wave him off, annoyed,

Rudy's voice was firm, Settle down. Oscar glared at him, so the doctor expounded, There's blood on the handkerchief, look.

Goldman glanced at the white cloth and saw that it was covered with blood. He reached up to wipe his nose and the back of his hand had a red streak across it. They held each other's eyes as the most immediate explanation leapt into their minds. A look of alarm filtered into Oscar's eyes.

Rudy kept his voice calm, Don't panic, I've got you. It'll be all right.

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