In his anger leaving Goldman's office, Steve rounded a corner too quickly, and literally bumped into Russ.
"Russ.....sorry, wasn't looking where I was goin'....."
The panic in the younger man's voice sped up his speech, "Steve, did you hear about Rudy?"
"Yeah."
"You coming from Oscar's office?"
"Yeah."
"Bet he's fit to be tied....."
"You'd think so, wouldn'tcha....."
Distracted by his own thoughts, Russ didn't pick up on Steve's sarcastic tone.
"Did he mention what he wants to do?"
"He's letting Hansen and the NSB handle it."
"What?"
"Hansen's on point." A strange look played across the young man's face, and Steve frowned. "Russ?"
"I don't understand."
"Well neither do I, but I heard it with my own ears. Oscar's letting Hansen move forward...."
"That's not what I mean--"
"--Well what do you mean, Russ?"
"Hansen and his team have Rudy......don't they?"
"What gave you that idea?"
Russ turned white as a sheet. "Oh my God...."
Russ took off at a dead run heading toward the Director of the OSI's office, and Steve Austin decided that following him could lead to an unveiling of some part of the mysterious behavior of Oscar Goldman.
--------------------
Callahan wasn't in the outer office, but Russ wasn't planning on stopping for her to announce him in any case. He burst through the wooden doors to find Oscar lying on the couch, Callahan holding a towel full of ice to his head. Goldman looked over at Russ, a pained expression on his face. His voice was slightly weaker than normal.
"Russ?"
Russ swallowed hard, and looked from Goldman to Callahan, and then back to Goldman. Oscar reached up and took control of the towel filled with ice, as he sat up on the couch.
"Thanks Callahan, I appreciate the help."
"I still think you should get it looked at...."
"I'll be fine. But I need a minute with Russ."
"Call me if you need me."
Oscar nodded, and the two men waited for Callahan to close the door.
"What the hell happened to you, Oscar?"
"Steve and I had a slight....difference of opinion regarding the NSB."
"Are you all right?"
"I'll be fine. Tell me why you look so shaken up...."
Russ sat down on the coffee table, his face pale and his hands trembling.
Oscar frowned. "Russ?"
The young man didn't know how to tell him what had happened. Their entire plan hinged on Phase Two going smoothly, Oscar had entrusted it to him, and he blew it. And now a lot more than just a game plan they'd put almost a year of their lives into was in jeopardy. He swallowed hard, and looked Goldman directly in the eyes, he had to just tell him......