Steve sat on the couch sipping his coffee, watching Oscar wear a hole in the carpet of his office.
"Oscar, take a break, will ya? You're making me tired just watching you."
Goldman looked at Austin for a moment, shoved his hands further into the pockets of his pants, and continued his trip to nowhere. Russ entered quickly, drawing their attention.
"What do you have, Russ?"
The younger man handed his boss a computer printout. "Boys downstairs deciphered the sketch. It's part of the Chinese symbol meaning 'sun tzu beng fa.'"
Steve stood. "The art of war."
Russ nodded, "Yes, exactly."
Oscar sighed heavily. "But what does it mean in this context?"
Russ shook his head. "We don't know that yet, but research is moving as quickly as possible on the answer."
Oscar shoved the printout back at Russ. "Push them faster."
"Yes sir." Russ swallowed hard. "And Oscar.....you asked how the NSB was progressing, and while we don't have all the information, I'd say a lot faster than we'd like."
"Damn."
Russ left quickly, and Steve moved over to Oscar. "We need to keep better tabs on the NSB."
"What do you have in mind?"
"You're better off not knowin', Oscar, let me have a free hand for awhile."
Oscar didn't like the sound of it. "Steve...."
Austin leaned in. "If we want to save Rudy, we don't have a choice."
Oscar closed his eyes and nodded in acquiescence. Before Steve walked out the door, he heard Oscar speak softly.
"Be careful, pal."
Austin nodded and went on his way.