Hansen got the call as he was pulling into the lot next to the warehouse. He slammed his hands in anger against the dashboard of the car.

"Damnit! Damnit it all to hell!"

As he called off his units, an unmarked OSI car pulled in next to him, and he watched as Russ and Austin got out and walked over to him.

Hansen stepped out of his car. "Goldman's sending his flunkies out after me now?"

Russ kept his voice calm, "Oscar wanted to be sure there were no communications mishaps."

"He didn't trust me, you mean."

Steve spoke up, "I'm going in to get Rudy, and I could use some NSB backup, Hansen. But not until I'm ready."

The man fumed at Austin. "What did Goldman have to do to get the Secretary of State to become involved in overturning NSB policy?"

Steve looked the man directly in the eyes. "I honestly don't know, Jack."

They watched as Steve ran toward the building, then Hansen turned toward Russ.

Anticipating the question, Russ looked at the man. "Hey, don't look at me for an answer, I'm just one of Oscar's flunkies, remember?"

--------------------

Oscar's hands were still shaking as he sat in the back of the Lincoln towncar that was speeding toward the warehouse scene. Being there when they pulled Rudy out would be the last thing he would do as Director of the OSI, but the Secretary had granted him that favor for all his years of spotless service - spotless until now, Goldman reminded himself. Oscar wanted it all to be over. He had never altered security records, nor orchestrated an inter-governmental break-in during his many years as a public servant: not until Rudy's life was at stake. But then, he had always believed that you had to back the people who trusted you, no matter what the personal cost. The only thing he could hold onto now, was the fact that he had the honor to live by what he always said he believed.

He hoped that it would not be in vain.

---------------------

As Oscar's car pulled up, the NSB cars were pulling out. Steve and Russ were leaning against the latter's car, and Goldman's stomach dropped to his knees. He got out of the car and walked over to them.

"Rudy?"

It was Steve who spoke, "He wasn't here, Oscar."

Goldman looked at Russ. "You said you were sure....."

Russ had tears in his eyes. "We were, Oscar, and I can't tell you how sorry I am."

Oscar sighed, "Well, now we've done it."

Goldman walked away from the two of them, his hands in his pockets, staring at the empty warehouse.

Steve looked at Russ. "You'd better start talkin'....."

Russ swallowed hard. "Oscar told the Secretary about the security tapes, and the break-in at the NSB. He told him he'd render his resignation without comment if the Secretary would call off Hansen, leave you clear of any charges, and let us save Rudy." Russ looked away. "Apparently the Secretary agreed to it."

"And all for nothing because we don't know where Rudy is."

Russ let out a ragged breath, "That's about it."

Steve looked at Russ. "Listen, I want you to take Oscar's car home, and he and I will take yours."

"What difference does it make?"

"Russ, you owe him one, so just do it, okay?"

"I owe him more than one....."

Steve watched as Russ drove off in the towncar, and then he walked over to stand next to Oscar.

"It was a lot to give up on a maybe."

"I thought we had him, Steve."

"We do."

"What?"

"It is a warehouse he's being kept in, just not this one."

"Then why are we still standing here?"

"Because we have a few things to take care of first, if we want to get Rudy out safely, and at the same time, save your sorry butt....."

Oscar stared at him as he walked away, and Steve turned back. "Well are you coming, or not?"

"The Lord loves a foolish man....."