Chapter 13

Geiger watched Francine and Efraim as the three of them sat in the back of the Agency limo that was taking them to Dulles for their flight to Istanbul Turkey. The three of them had hurriedly packed, gotten what information they could from Efraim's foray into CIA files and managed to get their tickets from Amanda as the limo was pulling into the Agency garage. Geiger watched as the couple read the files they had brought with them, handing them to him as he finished. They were speaking Turkish, trying to get themselves ready, Francine correcting her husbands pronunciation of several words. Dave could speak the language as he had spent several years stationed in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, and was as fluent as the two agents seated across from him. He knew Beaman spoke most of the European, Eastern and Eastern European languages but Francine blew him away with the ease in which she switched from language to language, even fluent in many regional dialects.

"Dave, I went into the information that Francine had been putting together on Carlson earlier in the week. He spent a lot of time in Istanbul, these are some of the places we have information on. Are you familiar with any of them?" Efraim handed a file folder with photographs and descriptions inside.

"Yeah, some of these. Don't forget that Istanbul is spy heaven, he's going to know the ins and outs of this place. It's going to be hard for us to track him down, we don't have his experience in this arena."

Efraim nodded in agreement. "Any suggestions?"

"We'll have to rely on our station people for support. Any chance these guys are working for Quigley or Carlson?"

Efraim laughed at Dave's remark, remembering their trip to Bucharest. "You never know. Jeeze, I hope not."

"Dave's right, B, it's gonna be hard to track him down. We really need an agent familiar with the landscape. I haven't been to Istanbul in years. You were there several times, but for short junkets only. Dave, you have the most experience in the area. Will we run into interference from the locals?" Francine pulled out the files on the Istanbul office, setting things in order.

Efraim watched his wife, knowing she had her emotions held in tight check. She had since she had learned of Mrs. Lang's death. He let her deal with it in her manner, and would step in if she took it too far. He didn't want to her to close herself back up behind a brittle that wall that had taken him years to breach.

"Francine, as I said, Istanbul is spy central. Everyone is working for somebody else. If we can stay above the fray, we may be able to see who all the players are and work it from that angle. We're going to have to rely on the local office for help."

Francine pulled out another file that contained the names, photo's and histories of the agents assigned to the Agency's Istanbul and Ankara offices. She handed them to Efraim, he nodded, knowing a couple of the agents and then passed them onto Dave.

"I think we can get some help from most of these people. I don't trust her though, Maria Steele."

"Why?" Francine looked up from the file she was reading, curious at of the tone of Dave's voice.

"I almost married her."

At his answer, Efraim and Francine each looked at the other, their eyes wide.

"Okay. We keep her out of the loop then. Anything else?" Francine asked, wanting to move the conversation on.

"The US base has excellent intelligence capabilities. I know the captain in charge. We can stop in there and get some information and help if needed."

"Good to know." Efraim knew that military contacts often came in handy in this business. The limo pulled to the curb of the airline at Dulles. They climbed out and the driver pulled their luggage, setting it on the curb. He nodded to the agents and got back in the vehicle and left the three of them standing in front of the check in desk.

Checking in curbside, they were told that they would need to check in at the counter inside, that there had been a change in their flight status. Francine sighed. Dave swore and Efraim adjusted his SIG, he was getting a bad feeling about all of this.

Wheeling in their luggage, they got in line for counter assistance. An airline employee approached them and asked them to follow him. They dropped into standard form, Dave bringing up the rear, Efraim in front on point and Francine taking his left. They were escorted into an office behind the counter. The three of them stopped short when they saw who was waiting for them in the office.

"Hello kiddies. Close your mouths, it's an unattractive look on the three of you. I've changed your flight status, I don't fly coach and I need you to brief me on the flight over. So, it looks like we'll be working this one together. A chance for me to see the Beaman's in action for myself."

Austin Smyth enjoyed the looks of shock on his agents faces. Francine's look was one of pure shock, Geiger was amused and Beaman's face was shuttered. The Beaman's intrigued him as had Amanda and Lee Stetson, but these two were more interesting than the settled Stetson's were these days, these two were quite the characters. It would be interesting to watch them in the field together. He knew Geiger was a steady agent, dependable and capable, Francine was an excellent agent , but Beaman in the field was unknown to Smyth.

He knew the kind of work Beaman was capable of doing. He had always looked for his work in reports, knowing that it would be complete and every base covered, thinking outside of the box and always on target. He had been stung by Beaman as well; shut down during the Stemwinder fiasco when Beaman refused to decode the location of Lee Stetson's meet with Rostov. While he had been angry with Beaman, a small portion of Smyth had admired the young agents' dedication to a fellow agent and the stand he took. He was looking forward to this outing. Not only did he believe they would take out Carlson once and for all, he'd get an up close and personal viewing of his agents in the field.

"Dr. Smyth. Sir, you haven't been active in the field for quite a few . . . several . . . a couple of years. Do you think it's wise for you to come into the field now when you are a target?" Francine voiced what they all were thinking, braving one of Smyth's legendary verbal attack.

"Ah, Mrs. Beaman, studying the art of diplomacy at your husband's knee, are we? I ran the Istanbul office for years my dear and, shall we say, I know where the bodies are buried. If Carlson is running in Istanbul, or Turkey for that matter, I am the one you need to track him down."

"Don't get in our way Dr. Smyth." Efraim said as he leaned up against the wall next to the door they had entered through. His voice was low, menacing, his stance while looking relaxed, Francine saw her husband was ready to pounce and she had a moments concern that Smyth might be the target.

Dr. Smyth laughed at Efraim's warning. "I won't get in your way, children."

Efraim nodded and stood up straight giving Francine a glance. He opened the door and waited for his wife to leave then shut the door between them. "Don't play any of your games during this operation, Dr. Smyth. No turning the tables on us in the field. If you do, you won't have to worry about Carlson." He opened the door and walked out of the room nearly running into his wife who gave him a dirty look and silently demanded an explanation.

"I just had a final word, that's all Francine."

"Uh huh." Francine replied, knowing her husband all too well.

"I told him no games or Carlson would be the last and least of his worries."

Francine gave a low laugh. "Oh B, you don't threaten Dr. Smyth and get away with it."

"I'll keep that in mind."

Finally boarded on the plane, Efraim and Francine settled in their seats and pulled their files out and began to study them again, trying to familiarize themselves with the layout of Istanbul. The plane taxied and was airborne, and Smyth turned to the two agents beside him and asked for their research.

Francine handed over files that both she and Efraim had gone over. They began speaking in Turkish, encouraging Geiger to practice as well. Francine leaned over to Dr. Smyth.

"Turkce konusur musunuz?"

Smyth raised an eyebrow at her. "Evet,"-yes.

Francine raised an eyebrow and smiled at Dr. Smyth. Getting up from her seat, she moved across the aisle and sat down next to Smyth and launched into a conversation in Turkish with him, switching dialects and generally grilling him. Satisfied, and even impressed, she opened the folders of research and briefed him on each.

Efraim leaned across the aisle, joining in and pointing out small tidbits of information that interested him. Both Francine and Dr. Smyth paid attention. Francine trusted her husband's viewpoints on seemingly unimportant information and Smyth knew how important every piece of insight could be in a field operation. Geiger quietly paid attention as he read through the files himself.

Landing in New York at JFK, the group got off the plane and headed through the airport to international departures. Efraim and Geiger were on alert, watching the comings and goings of the crowd, Francine babysat Dr. Smyth.

"Mrs. Beaman, tell me about your husband." Dr. Smyth demanded, his tone indicating that it wasn't casual interest.

"What do you want to know?" Francine countered, casting an annoyed look at Smyth.

Smyth smiled, he knew Francine wasn't fond of him and it would be interesting to see what she told him. "What do you find so fascinating about him."

"Everything." She knew that would give him something to think about.

"Everything. Interesting answer Mrs. Beaman. What is about his character that makes me think Boy Scout is the perfect code name for him?"

Laughing, she nodded her head in agreement. "Yes, his is, and no he isn't. He is an honorable man, Dr. Smyth."

"That does not come as a surprise to me Francine, I consider that the majority of my agents are honorable. And I know that your husband is a very honorable man."

"He's a very deep man, full of layers and dimensions and contradictions. Efraim is not an easy man to get to know, but once you do, he never ceases to surprise you with something new. He's brilliant, he doesn't think in conventional methods which means he picks up what most of us overlook. He's naive, and then he isn't. He's serious, he's fun, he has a marvelous sense of humor. He's educated and he's knowledgeable about the world around him. And he is without a doubt, the kindest, most loyal and generous man I have ever met.. You're asking the wrong person to give you something you can use against him because I will protect him in any way that I have to.

Smyth laughed. "This may come as a surprise to you, but I don't desire to use anything against your husband. Call it curiosity if you will. Your husband only gives you what he wants you to think you know about him. As has been said, I know his father and his father is a good man. I'm curious to know if the son has following in the father's footsteps."

"He has."

"How is he as an agent?" Smyth watched as Francine's face became a blank mask. "You are his partner, Mrs. Beaman. Do you have concerns or doubts about his abilities."

"I have none."

"None?"

"No. Not at all. He likes to be right. He needs more field experience and in my estimation and he'll be as good an agent as the Scarecrow. Different from Scarecrow, but as good. Actually, he is as good as Scarecrow now."

"Does he realize his strengths?"

"Yes he does," Francine laughed, her husband was well aware of his strengths.

"Good. This will be an interesting operation then. I'm looking forward to it." Nodding to Efraim and Geiger as they scanned the crowd. "Are they always this vigilant?"

"If you weren't here, Efraim would be with me and Dave would be across from us, and they'd set up points to observe. They're nervous with you being here."

"Really? How interesting."

"Dr. Smyth, you enjoy having the people around you off balance. It's how you operate."

The crack of laughter from Smyth caused both Efraim and Geiger to stop and stare. Efraim's eyes narrowed, as did his mouth. He didn't like Smyth and he sure as hell didn't trust him much. Dave had his normal amused look plastered on his face.

"You are correct, Francine, that is how I operate. The key to being a successful intelligence operative is to keep your opponents off guard, giving you the ability to run your own game. But surely you know this and you yourself use it, or at least you have in the past to your own advantage. Being married to the Boy Scout has softened you, but I am glad to hear you still have your edge. Have no worries, Mrs. Wedded Bliss, I'm not on a witch hunt with your husband as my target."

"I'm curious, why isn't Lee here?"

"Why has Billy been keeping him in the office?" Smyth countered.

"Too high of a profile."

"Exactamundo! We're going to Istanbul, my dear. Spy . . . ."

"Central, yes, I've heard." Francine finished with a touch of sarcasm.

"Scarecrow doesn't speak the language, and we won't have time to translate for him. He'd be a liability to us, and with Carlson as our target, we can't afford any liabilities."

Francine nodded, she understood what Smyth was saying. They would have to be sharp and ready at all times. Carlson would be expecting them.

"And you Dr. Smyth. Will you be a liability to us?" Efraim asked from behind them where he was seated. Francine jumped at his voice, giving him a quick frown, but Dr. Smyth didn't seem surprised that Efraim was behind him and listening to their conversation.

"I think I may have one or two tricks left up my sleeves that might surprise you, Boy Scout. I won't be a liability to your team."

"Why do you call Efraim 'Boy Scout'? It's not his code name, he doesn't have a field designation." Francine said, wondering why her teasing words for her husband were bandied about by Dr. Smyth.

"Who says he doesn't have a field designation, Mrs. Wedded Bliss?"

"Well, I would know if he did. I would file the designation." Francine was indignant that Smyth could think she would miss something like this.

"My team?" Efraim interrupted. "You said my team. Exactly what are you saying, Dr. Smyth?"

"This is your operation, Boy Scout. You're calling the shots. Scarecrow says you're ready. Your wife has absolute confidence in you. Geiger said he's always wanted to learn to walk on water and Melrose said if you come back as arrogant as Scarecrow, he's taking back his assistant. And I say don't let me get my ass shot off. This game is yours to run, Beaman."

Efraim nodded and looked out the window, no emotion registering on his face. Francine put her hand on his shoulder and squeezed it lightly, smiling at the small smile she saw on his lips. He went into his normal 'think' mode, although Francine wondered how he managed without a desk and tottering on two chair legs. His hands were behind his head as he stared out the window onto the runway. Francine convinced Dr. Smyth to join her for a cup of coffee and a short walk, Geiger keeping an eye on the two of them as well as Efraim as he sat and thought about the next stage of the operation. Francine brought Efraim back a cup of coffee, and smiled widely when she heard him whistling.

"What is that noise?" Dr. Smyth asked, looking around the waiting area.

"It's Efraim, Sir. He whistles when he has a plan."

"Really? How interesting. Does he do this often?"

Francine just smiled, shaking her head and shrugging.

Geiger came and sat next to Efraim, a cup of coffee and bag of donuts in his hand. He offered one to Efraim who shook his head at the offer. "What's the plan, Boy Scout?" Dave finally asked, watching Efraim smile.

"We'll fly into Frankfurt and then use some military contacts to take us to Ankara. Carlson has a day on us, and who knows what contacts he's kept in Turkey. We're not going to walk off the plane with neon signs over our heads. So, we'll hop a flight to Ankara, and drive into Istanbul. I want to see the area, get a feel for it and the locals before we take on Carlson. Might jog the old man's memory of history and places."

"I assume you are referring to me as the 'old man', Beaman." Smyth asked.

"Yes I am Dr. Smyth."

"Very arrogant of you."

"So I've been told, Sir." Dr. Smyth laughed and looked at Francine who just shook her head. Efraim took every bit of rope he was given and ran with it. "I want you to start thinking about old cases, haunts, reconstruct old times for us, Dr. Smyth. You've run up against Carlson before, you have to give us the edge when it comes to him. He's sloppy now that he's running, or he wants us to think he is. Keep both in mind and hedge your bets accordingly."

"Yes Sir, Boy Scout Sir." Smyth replied, amused at his directions. But Beaman was right and he'd pay attention to the points that were mentioned.

"Dave? You have contacts in the office. Tell me about Maria Steele."

Geiger gave Efraim a dirty look. "What do you want to know?"

"Why the animosity? You're not telling me that it's as simple as a broken heart."

"You can be a real bastard when you want, can't you Beaman?"

"I don't want anything or anyone coming between us in the field. We're all targets now, and we are all known by sight to Carlson and anyone working with him. We can't afford to have an off moment. Now, tell me about Maria Steele." Efraim was still slumped in the airport seat, sipping from the cup of coffee Francine had brought him. He knew Smyth and Francine were listening, they needed the information as well.

"It is as simple as a broken heart, Beaman. She's a woman with an eye to the prize, she wants to climb to the top. I wasn't the fast track to the top. That's it in a nutshell."

"She burn you?"

"No, not the way you're thinking. She's an excellent agent, but she will grab the limelight."

"Now that's something to remember. Takes chances? Risky maneuvers?" Efraim asked, tucking that bit of information away.

"Yeah, she doesn't think things all the way through." Dave said, shaking his head, remembering the woman he had almost married. He had been lucky to get away with his life.

"Thanks Dave. I'm sorry."

Dave shrugged. "You needed to know, we do need to keep an eye out for her, she's capable of undercutting us to make herself look good."

"Can we expect it because Dr. Smyth is with us?" Francine was looking at all the angles.

"Yeah. She's gonna love you, Dr. Smyth." Dave said.

"I do so love a fan club. I'll know how to handle it, and I suggest you play along kiddies, 'kay?" He watched as his agents nodded.

Their flight was called and they boarded the plane. The plane took off, beverages were served and Efraim got up and went and sat with Dr. Smyth.

"Tell me about you and Carlson." He told Dr. Smyth, watching the amused smile cross Smyth's face. Efraim could see Francine angle herself to hear the conversation and he almost grinned; she hated to miss anything. Dave didn't bother to hide his interest, he leaned across the aisle, chin in his hands.

"We were roommates at Yale. And we were very competitive, grades, sports, women. I'm sure you bright children can work out the fine details without me spelling them out for you. I went to Harvard Law, Carlson to Yale. We met up again at Georgetown, both of us working for doctorates in Foreign Affairs. I succeeded. Carlson was thrown out due to an incident involving a woman . . . the woman I was engaged to marry." Smyth stopped, thinking back to earlier days, to wounds that may never have healed. "She did not survive the incident."

Efraim nodded, not pushing for further details; he could see the reason for the hatred.

"I'm sorry, Dr. Smyth." Francine's voice was soft, low, sincere. Smyth's curt nod acknowledged her words.

"Harry Thornton recruited me not long before my graduation from Georgetown. Carlson was floating around DC with a law degree and the very dark cloud of scandal and unemployment over his head. He went to the CIA, just after the Bay of Pigs incident. Our competitiveness continued with a vengeance, each of us trying to outdo the other's accomplishments, or highlight their failures. Your father got involved in this tale when he was in the South China Sea during Vietnam. You've heard the story, correct?"

"Yeah, Dad was losing pilots due to bad intelligence from the CIA, and it was coming from Carlson. Dad had him removed, and started to get intell from the Agency, you."

"Correct. Carlson was sent to Turkey. I had been station chief in Turkey. Turkey was as it continues to be today, a hot bed of information trading. Spy central, Mrs. Beaman. I could never prove it, but I know that Carlson was trading both sides of the street. Harry helped me to construct a sting operation to bring Carlson down. We closed down his ring, but Carlson got away. His name was tainted, but without concrete proof, he claimed he was the victim of vengeance on my part. It's taken him years to rebuild himself. And that, kiddies, is your bedtime story for tonight."

"He could go to just about anyone for help then?" Francine laid out the whole picture, and it wasn't one she liked.

Efraim answered. "He can try. It works in our favor. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Carlson has made plenty of enemies on his climb out of the gutter. Someone will turn him."

Smyth nodded his agreement to Efraim's assessment. "Now Beaman, a question for you. Your weak spot. Is it your wife?"

"No, she isn't a liability to anyone, least of all me. Francine is my best asset. My weakness is I like to be right all the time."

"And does it paralyze you, this urge to be right?"

Efraim laughed and stood up, he was tired and needed some sleep. "If it did, you wouldn't have the Dark Horse Laser sitting at the bottom of Vidraru Lake wired with enough C-4 to change the face of Romania." Smyth chuckled and put his seat back to try and sleep.

Efraim gave a nod to Dave who had also kicked back to go to sleep. Francine stood up and let Efraim in their seats. Sitting down, he got comfortable and put his arm out for Francine to sit next to him. She sat beside him, leaning against his side as he pulled the small blankets over them both. Efraim kissed the side of her head and closed his eyes on a sigh.

A soft whisper rose to Efraim's ear. "Goodnight, Boy Scout." He squeezed his wife to let her know he had heard her and smiled.

Boy Scout my ass. . . .

The squeaking of the beverage trolley roused Efraim from sleep. Francine was gone, the blanket she had used was now draped over him. He closed his eyes again and sighed moved his legs, knowing he had to get up and get going. He stood up and stepped into the aisle, stretching his arms and twisting his back. Stepping back into his row, the flight attendant offered him orange juice and coffee, he took one each for both Francine and himself.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Smyth's hand reach up and take the coffee offered to him. Efraim shook his head, seeing Dr. Smyth first thing in the morning was not high on his 'to do' list. Geiger was drinking his coffee and raised a weary eye to Efraim, which he returned.

Francine came back, looking like she had slept eight hours in her own bed. She smiled and gratefully took the orange juice her husband offered her. Efraim kissed her cheek and went to wash up before the plane readied to land.

Disembarking in Frankfurt Germany, the four Americans showed their diplomatic passports and were waived through customs. Efraim headed directly to the airlines Ambassador Club, stopped at the door and raised an eyebrow at Dr. Smyth when he hesitated to pull out his membership card for entry. Giving Efraim a nasty little smile, Smyth gained entrance for them and went to sit by the windows overlooking the runway.

Efraim pulled his laptop from his carry on bag and hooked it up to the teleport provided by the airlines. Using his contacts, he secured a military hop for them into Ankara as well as military transportation to the base for the flight. He thought about canceling the remainder of their flight leg into Istanbul on the airline, but decided to leave it as it was. Why make it easy for Carlson?

"Let's go. We have a ride picking us up shortly."

"And what about our luggage, Boy Scout?" Smyth reminded him.

"It's being met in Istanbul. It will be at the hotel waiting for us. Have a little faith, Dr. Smyth."

Francine raised an eyebrow at Dr. Smyth and walked with her husband out of the Ambassador's Club. Geiger had a small smile playing about his lips and Dr. Smyth got up and walked out in front of Geiger, shaking his head.

Arriving in Ankara, Geiger made arrangements for a car while Francine converted a small amount of US currency into Turkish Lira. The weather was cold with dark clouds blanketing the region. Efraim studied several maps of the region.

"What's not on the maps?" He spun the map for Smyth to see.

"Good question. There is always something not on the map." Dr. Smyth spun the map back.

Efraim sighed. "I suppose this area has changed in the years and years since you have been here?"

Austin Smyth laughed at the dig thrown at him. "We won't know until we get on the road."

"That's what I thought."

"Why did you ask?"

"Just testing you."

"Boy Scout, if you intend to test me the entire time we are here, we won't have the energy to find Carlson."

"Speak for yourself old man, I have plenty of energy to spare. But you're right, testing you is useless. Your word that you'll be up front and forthcoming will serve."

"Ah, very well maneuvered Boy Scout, very well maneuvered. You have it."

"Thank you." Efraim sighed, it was going to be tough keeping a step ahead of Dr. Smyth, he enjoyed the game too much.

Dr. Smyth watched the man he had placed in charge of the Carlson operation, and essentially his life. Beaman just verbally and mentally out maneuvered him, something that rarely if ever happened to him. Smyth decided that he had made the right decision in his choice of agent in charge.

Geiger and Francine returned and the group headed toward the aging Fiat that Geiger had rented. Francine and Efraim climbed in the backseat, giving Smyth the shotgun position. Efraim grinned at Smyth as he climbed in the car, patting Francine's hand as she touched his. He put his head back and watched as the scenery passed them. He listened to Dave and Dr. Smyth talk about the area.

Not far from Istanbul, Smyth remembered a bar that had been used to pass information between parties back in the 60's and 70's. Efraim nodded at Geiger as he turned off the road, following the directions the Dr. Smyth gave him. Dave slowed in front of the building that housed the bar, passed it and found a place to park the Fiat.

Efraim and Dave climbed out of the car, both reached down and picked up handfuls of dust, rubbing it on their clothes. Dr. Smyth frowned at their actions while Francine laughed, she knew they didn't want to look like they had just landed in the country. Francine pulled a hat out of her bag and stuffed her hair in it as she pulled it on her head. She also checked her handgun, making sure it was within easy reach.

"Why are we staying in the car?" Smyth didn't like being left out of the loop, and let Francine know it.

"They want to look the bar over without worrying about you." At his look of disgust, Francine tried again. "They don't want to stand out, so it's better if we stay out of the public limelight. Two dusty men will not raise questions in anyone's mind. Two dusty men, an distinguished older man and a blonde will be the topic of discussion at everyone's table. You really have been out of the field for a long time."

"It would seem so, Mrs. Beaman. I'm acclimatized to the environs of Capital Hill and Foggy Bottom."

"You still think a good game Dr. Smyth. That's what we'll need. And you have experience against Carlson. If we can keep it quiet that you're in the field, we'll have a tremendous advantage." Francine told him, her eyes scanning the streets for interest in them. It was late afternoon, and most people were in their homes as night approached.

"I didn't take you for an optimist, Mrs. Beaman."

Francine laughed softly. "Oh, I'm not Dr. Smyth. This is my husband's influence on me. I am usually the doom and gloom gal. But he and I trade off. It's my turn to be optimistic for a change."

Dr. Smyth nodded his head to acknowledge that he had heard her and joined her in watching the streets of the town. He noticed Francine change her stance and watched as Efraim and Geiger walked down the packed dirt that passed as a road in the town.

They dusted themselves off and climbed in the car, Geiger driving quickly. No one spoke until they were out of the area and they had made sure that no one was following them.

"Well?" Dr. Smyth finally asked when the silence continued.

"Some interesting folks there, not Carlson. We'll remember the faces if we see them again. A couple of possibilities. Great coffee though." Efraim said as he put his head back and tried to get comfortable in the tiny car. He closed his eyes and went to sleep.

Francine watched as her husband fell asleep, she knew he hadn't slept well the night before on the plane, he had sighed most of the flight away. She sat back and tried to get comfortable, wanting to rest while she could. In her estimation, Efraim was up to the challenge that he had been handed, and she would see to it that he had the best intelligence she could gather for him.

Efraim woke to the noise of horns and the screech of brakes; theirs. He opened his eyes, rubbing them as he tried to adjust to the bright lights firing past them. Looking around, he saw that Francine was asleep, and they were in Istanbul traffic.

"Hasn't changed much, has it Dave?" Efraim said, indicating the bad traffic and terrible Turkish drivers.

"Not much, Sleeping Beauty." Dave replied, weaving and dodging cars, bicycles and pedestrians.

"Don't have to worry much about a tail in this traffic."

"Just our own!" Dave cheerfully replied.

Efraim chuckled and reached over to gently touch his wife's cheek. Her eyes were closed, her lashes casting dark shadows on her cheeks that were pale in the iridescent lights of the city. Her mouth was slightly open as she rested her cheek on her hand. She inhaled deeply and sighed at his touch and Efraim found himself smiling.

"Time to wake up, Francine."

"If we're in traffic in Istanbul, I'd rather die while asleep." She retorted her voice thick with sleep as she stretched, her hand reaching out to caress his face.

"Not a bad sentiment, Mrs. Beaman." Dr. Smyth piped in from the front passenger seat. "I had forgotten what it was like to drive in Turkey. Makes the beltway look positively tame by comparison."

"No dying while I'm driving, thank you very much." Geiger called back. "Besides, who's gonna set me up with blind dates if you're gone?"

Francine smiled and yawned, looking around the area. "Where are we?"

"Along the Bosphorus River. This will take us to the Agency, which is in the business district." Smyth told her as he watched traffic while trying to get his bearings.

"Where to Beaman?" Dave wanted to know.

"Let's check in at the Eresin Taxim, in the business district. You remember it, don't you?"

"I prefer the Crowne Plaza in Old Istanbul." Dr. Smyth frowned at the thought of staying at a mere four star hotel.

"The Taxim is central to where we need to be, and it's closer to the markets, which is where most of our business will take place. You and Dave are sharing a suite, Francine and I have a room down the hall. You should be quite comfortable Dr. Smyth."

"No presidential suite this time, Boy Scout?" Smyth shot back.

Francine laughed, Efraim still got ribbed about booking the presidential suite in Bucharest. It had been a great room though!

"Not this time Dr. Smyth. Billy told me you don't like the high profile, ostentatious route." Efraim told him as the façade of the hotel loomed ahead.

"Right." Smyth went back to scenery watching. Efraim caught Geiger's eye in the rear view mirror and smiled.

Dave pulled to the curb of the hotel as the doorman opened Dr. Smyth and Francine's doors for them. Geiger and Efraim climbed out and stretched, the car was small and both men were over 6 feet tall. Geiger handed the keys to the valet and Efraim walked around and took Francine's hand as they walked into the lobby.

"We have company, looks like the local office has sent out the welcome wagon, kiddies." Smyth said as Dan Wilson, station chief of the Istanbul office of the Agency walked over to greet them.

Francine quipped back with a grin and toss of her hair. "Do try to be pleasant, 'kay?"

"I got the message to retrieve luggage and deliver it here, but I'm surprised to find the director himself in Istanbul. It's good to see you again, Sir." Wilson stuck out his hand to Dr. Smyth who stared at it until Francine gave a slight cough. Shooting her a nasty smile, Smyth took Wilson's hand and shook it.

"Nice to get out of the office and visit the players in the field, don't you agree Wilson?"

"Yes sir, Dr. Smyth." Wilson looked at Efraim and Francine, desperately trying to find a way to include them in the conversation.

Efraim stuck out his hand, having pity on the station chief. "Efraim Beaman, and this is Francine Desmond Beaman. I believe you already know Dave Geiger. Thanks for getting our luggage and bringing it here for us."

Wilson shook everyone's hands, slapping Dave on the back. "If you'll check in, I'll help you with your luggage and maybe we can have a drink and discuss your visit to Istanbul. I believe I have some information that you'll want to hear."

After checking in and changing, the five agents met in the hotel restaurant for a late meal and a drink, with Efraim and Geiger showing up a few minutes after the others were seated.

Efraim looked at Wilson and nodded. "Why don't you tell us what you have."

Wilson looked at Dr. Smyth for permission to begin.

"Commander Beaman is running this show, Wilson. All operational intelligence goes through him."

"Commander, this afternoon we had an agent on arrivals who noted several of our brethren from the CIA taking great interest in the flight you were scheduled to arrive on. The deputy director himself flew in yesterday morning. Do you know what's going on? Carlson is here. The director," with an apprehensive glance in Smyth's direction, "is here. And we have a DC team of agents coming in under a dust cover. I think I have a need to know."

"Do you know where Carlson is now?" Efraim countered, his eyes constantly observing the area.

"Yeah, he's at the Crowne Plaza." Wilson answered, confused by the grins he saw all around the table with the exception of Dr. Smyth.

"The deputy director has cut and run. He's run one too many operations not sanctioned by the CIA. A senator's wife is dead. A coordinated attack on Agency agents resulting in the death of one CIA agent, the wounding of another along with a contract player, and we can lay all of this on Carlson's doorstep."

"Damn! Why is he here? Bad question, everyone comes through here."

"He was CIA station chief here years ago at the same time I held your position." Smyth added.

"I know, we still have your chair, we have a little ceremony for each new agent that comes to work the Agency here." Mistaking Smyth's raised eyebrows for interest, he continued. "They rub the wooden seat asking for smooth operations."

Efraim choked on his coffee only to be slapped by Geiger who looked highly amused.

"What a . . . ." Smyth began in a derogatory tone of voice, stopping at Francine's slight cough and raised eyebrow. "What a quaint custom. I think I'll have to observe this for myself." He said with a nasty smile in Francine's direction.

"That would be great sir, maybe you yourself could participate!" Wilson told him, excited at the prospect. Francine gave Smyth her own nasty little smile. "Basically you are here telling me that the Deputy Director of Operations for the CIA has gone rouge."

"That is exactly what we are telling you. I need to know what you have on all the CIA agents in the area, any freelancers or contract workers." Efraim told him

"Ah, we don't keep files on the CIA, it's against regulations." Wilson tried not to look at Dr. Smyth.

"Uh huh, we don't do a lot of things that are against regulations. But in this case, I need those files you don't have." Efraim said, giving the station chief an out.

"I, ah, I can give you those files I don't have first thing in the morning."

"I'd want them sooner, say within the hour. I'd also say you haven't seen the director here, I want his presence kept under the wire. Understand?"

"Yeah, yeah I think I do. I'll go get those files and bring them over." Dan Wilson excused himself, stood up and left.

"Mrs. Beaman, what do you think you're doing with the eyebrows?" Dr. Smyth asked as soon as Wilson was out of earshot.

"Dr. Smyth, we need the help of the office here. We don't need them flocking to help Carlson. To insure that, you have to curb your verbal inclinations."

"My verbal inclinations? What are you saying, my dear Mrs. Beaman?"

"She's telling you to be nice, Dr. Smyth." Efraim jumped in.

"Nice. She's telling me to be nice? Commander. . . ."

"Dr. Smyth, you told me this is my operation and I'm telling you we need the help of the local office. You also ordered me to see that you didn't get your ass shot off, that's what Francine is doing. So do as Francine suggests and be nice."

"I think I shall call it an evening. Which one of you gets to see I don't play in traffic on the way to the room?"

Geiger stood up and waited for Smyth. Dr. Smyth cast a malevolent look at Francine and Efraim and left, leaving Geiger to catch up to him. Francine and Efraim watched as Smyth and Geiger left the restaurant. Francine stopped biting her upper lip and let loose with a smile that made her husband laugh.

"Oh B! He's going to hang us when we get home!"

"Let him." The waiter set their dinner in front of them, Efraim asked for Geiger and Smyth's to be sent up to their room. "Can I have a taste of that? It looks good hon, what is it?" He asked, pointing at her plate.

Francine shook her head wondering about the sanity of her husband and put a portion of her meal on his plate. "It's called Icli Kofte, its stuffed bulgur wheat shells. The filling is seasoned ground meats and spices. Good?" She watched as he took a bite and closed his eyes as he chewed.

"Mmmmm! Excellent. Wanna bite of mine? It's Manti, it's boiled dumplings filled with meat and spices, the tomato sauce has a kick to it. It's good!" He smiled when Francine nodded at his offer. She took the bite from his fork and smiled as he watched her. This was the one of the things she loved about her husband, he threw himself fully into everything he did.

"You enjoy life, don't you B?" It wasn't really a question, more of an observation.

"Well, yeah, I do. Don't you?"

"I don't think I have the appreciation for it that you do. Help me with that, will you?"

"Anything else you want me to help you with while I'm at it?" He scooted closer and leered at her.

She laughed, she enjoyed his teasing and she certainly enjoyed why he was leering at her. "I'm sure we can find a few things to work on, what do you think?" He winked at her and reached over and touched her cheek and she smiled at him, thanking her lucky stars for putting the two of them together.

"I really love you B, you know that don't you?"

"I know you do hon. Baklava for dessert?"

She laughed and nodded, not sure she trusted her voice right now.

"Turkish coffee?" He grinned, he loved the stuff and would make a nuisance of himself at the their local coffee house at home by badgering the owner to make Turkish coffee. "I'm going to buy an ibrik to make my own Turkish coffee when we go home."

"Buy two while you're at it B."

He nodded. "Francine, what did you think about Dan Wilson."

"I felt sorry for him. I don't think he'll ever see stateside after the chair comment!" They both laughed. "He seems sincere. Do you think he'll keep quiet about Smyth?"

Efraim ordered baklava and Turkish coffee for two. "Yeah, I do. I'm really interested to meet this Maria Steele, she must be something to make Geiger bolt."

"Something?" Francine felt jealousy rise as she looked at her husband. "Something? What do you mean by that?" Her tone was sharp and sarcastic.

Efraim looked at Francine and grinned, he was used to this side of Francine. "Hon, what do you think it takes to scare a man like Dave Geiger? He was an Army Ranger, and those guys don't scare easily, if at all. I'm picturing Glenda, the wicked witch from south hell."

Francine giggled in spite of herself. "You have an interesting way of putting things, B. Okay, I'll try to curb my jealousy, but I'll have you know it's become something of a habit where you're concerned!"

"I told you, it gave me hope."

"And now I'm yours."

He leaned over and kissed her. He never spoke in terms of her belonging to him or him being hers, but he thought it. "Yeah, you're mine." His voice was deep, husky and full of dark promises that shot straight to the very center of her. He smiled as passion flared in her eyes, answering the emotion in his. The waiter brought their dessert and coffee and smiled at the two lovers.

They drank their coffee and ate the baklava, Francine feeding the last several bites to Efraim. She shook her head at how he managed to stay so thin with everything he ate. He teased her by saying it was all the mental energy he used, that or what it cost him in the effort to chase her around their bed, and he probably was right.

They were just finishing their coffee when Dan Wilson returned. Sliding into a vacant chair he put a brief case by Efraim's feet. "I had a ghost on my tail, you may want to be careful and get out of the public rooms. There's a back way to the elevators through the maitre d's alcove by the bar, see it?" He pointed to an area out of general view in the back of the restaurant. "I'll go non-stop past the desk to see if I can't shake them, but take the file's out, give me the briefcase and move. I have six more months on this tour, and this has to happen now."

Efraim slipped the files from the briefcase and passed them to Francine who put them into her purse. "Be careful. We'll see you at 8:00 in the office tomorrow morning." Efraim watched as a cloak of professionalism enveloped Wilson. Wilson rose and left with a large party of people as they exited the restaurant. Efraim and Francine used the opportunity to leave as well, knowing that their exit was covered by the loud and noisy crowd.

Taking the elevator up, they stood to the back of the car, Efraim standing slightly in front of Francine and shielding the files. They weren't about to take any chances. Reaching their floor, they walked down the hall to Smyth's suite and knocked.

Dave opened the door and rolled his eyes at Efraim as they walked in. "Thank God! The reserves!"

"That bad, huh Dave?" Francine walked to the couch and pulled the files out of her purse.

"Worse. Would the two of you stop twisting his tail? He's like a sullen child who's had his favorite toy taken away from him. I can't deal with that kinda crap!" He whispered furiously at them, afraid that Smyth would hear him.

"As bad as a blind date?" Francine teased.

"Worse, much worse! I'll do whatever you ask, but please, lighten up on Smyth, will ya?"

Efraim slapped him on the back and sat down on the couch, taking several of the files from Francine and opening the first one. Flipping through the pages of data, he grinned and shook his head. "Yeah, it's against regulations to maintain files on CIA agents. They do a damn thorough job of not following regs; look at this stuff will ya?"

Francine opened another file while Dave went to get Dr. Smyth. Dave returned and sat down with a roll of his eyes and grabbed a file from the coffee table. Smyth came out, cigarette holder between his teeth and glared at the agents assembled before him. He sat next to Francine and picked up a file and began reading.

Francine kept glancing at Dr. Smyth as he read the files, one after another. She thought he might be trying to intimidate her by sitting next to her, so she ignored him, slightly bumping Efraim on the arm to get his attention. He looked and her and smiled, leaning into her slightly to let her know he saw what she had pointed out.

An hour passed quickly as the files were read, Smyth laying the last one on the stack on the coffee table. "That was profitable. What were we to have learned by this exercise?" Smyth temper was now at a steady boil.

"It helps to know who the players are. You know that Dr. Smyth, it's one of your golden rules; Know thy enemy." Efraim quoted a page from the book that Smyth actually did write.

"We don't know that these people are the enemy, Commander."

"We also don't know that they aren't. Dr. Smyth, you ran some of the most successful operations the Agency has been involved in, and you did write the book, sir. Why are you questioning your methodology now?" Efraim leaned forward so he could look Smyth in the eye. "You can't direct the play if you don't know who the actors are."

Efraim shot a look at Francine who gave a barely perceptible nod and stood up. "Dave, help me with the sensors for the rooms, will you?" Dave stood and followed Francine out of the room.

As soon as the two agents disappeared, Efraim got to the point. "Dr. Smyth, are you up to this operation? If this is all about revenge, let me take care of it for you. You don't have to be in the field."

Dr. Smyth lost his temper, his face twisted in anger. "Are you telling me that I am incapable of running a field operation?"

"No, I'm not, because I'm running this operation. You run in a different world these days, closed doors and back room deals with senators, congress and the White House. I know you can out think those agents, and you could probably give me a run for my money, but can you still shoot a gun?"

"You arrogant bastard! Do you know who you're speaking to?"

"Yeah, I do. The Director of the Agency, a legend in the field in his own time. But you've moved on from the field, Dr. Smyth. And, can you still shoot a gun?" Efraim pushed him, knowing that if he didn't, he ran the risk of getting someone on his team killed, and he wasn't willing to take that chance. "Because the life of one of us on this team could depend on you being able to pull the trigger and hit a target. Do you even carry a gun?"

Smyth's pale eyes drilled into Efraim's, neither blinking, neither flinching. Smyth suddenly sighed and sat back on the couch. "Are you saying I should bow out of this game?"

"No, that's not what I'm saying at all. I need people in positions to exploit their strengths. Your strength isn't in the field. But that doesn't mean you can't call a play or spot action in the field. I'd rather have you in the background doing the Intel and thinking through Carlson's plays, you know him better than anyone else. In my book, that gives us a distinct advantage. I believe you called it Operational Strategy."

Smyth smiled. "It's humiliating being quoted my own book by one of my agents."

"I don't mean to humiliate you, Dr. Smyth. I just want you to remember what made you the agent you were. You were damn smart in the field, and I need you to be that way now."

"You really are an arrogant bastard, Beaman. I'm glad I made the right choice by putting you in charge of this operation. How Melrose puts up with you and the Scarecrow both in the same department, I'll never know."

"We soothe him with jelly donuts." Efraim leaned back on the couch and released a breath he'd been holding. He knew he had won this round.

"Humph! I can't be bribed with fried confectionaries, Boy Scout. A good Turkish cigarillo, now that is something I could contend with."

"A carton of Galoises, Gitanes Regulars or Turkish Specials every now and then?"

"Done. Call your lovely wife back, I'm sure they've set their sensors several times over."

Francine and Dave must have been listening at the hallway because the appeared as soon as Smyth said 'call'. Francine sat on the arm of the couch next to her husband, away from Smyth, her hand on Efraim's shoulder.

"Dr. Smyth, why did Carlson come here? What does he have waiting here for him that would cause him to Turkey?"

"He had an extensive network of informants in the 60's and 70's when he was here. I can't see that many of them would still be active or for that matter, alive."

"Dave, what are the legal ramifications of Carlson fleeing the States to Turkey?" Dave's legal background came in handy in these situations.

"He's considered a fugitive. We have extradition treaties that cover this. Basically, we should be able to remove him from Turkey as long as he hasn't committed a crime in Turkey."

Efraim nodded. "Dr. Smyth. Any chance Carlson has his own little syndicate here?" Francine nodded at the question, she was thinking along the same lines.

"Yes, it's entirely possible. We would want to grab him before the Turkish authorities found out."

"We put Carlson on trial in the States, and every country he was ever stationed in is going to be screaming for a piece of his hide." Francine said. "I mean, how quiet can we keep the trial of the Deputy Director of Operations for the CIA? Especially with the axes that will be grinding on Capital Hill?"

"She has a very good point, Boy Scout." Smyth said, watching Efraim closely.

"We take him alive if at all possible."

"Let's make it a D1, I'll get pardons signed by the President."

"No. He has the right to a trial by jury of his peers. I want him to have that if at all possible since he tried to take away my rights yesterday morning. A D1 may be expedient, but I don't want to go gunning for him. I want to drag him back to the States and make him face all of the people he has burned over the years."

"Vengeance, Boy Scout? I'm surprised at you, it doesn't seem your style." Smyth said with a snide curl to his lip.

Efraim laughed and stood up, taking his wife's hand. "Justice, Dr. Smyth, justice, pure and simple. But I think Mrs. Lang deserves some, as well as the others who will not have the opportunity to face and accuse Carlson themselves. Your room has motion sensors on the balcony and by the doors. Dave will arm them after you settle for the night. There are sensors in front of the outside door, if we get any visitors, let Dave take care of them. You remember that part of your book, 'Neither a target nor a victim be'. Anything happens, stay out of the way. We meet with Wilson in the office tomorrow morning. Goodnight."

Efraim walked to the door at a sedate pace with Francine glancing at him. The minute the door to the suite closed behind him, he looked at his wife and grinned a nasty grin of his own. "That old horse's backside had better not step in front of me, I may shoot him myself!"

Francine laughed softly, wrapping her arm through her husbands. "B, you handled him so well! Dave and I were back there hoping you'd deck him, but you put him into a corner of his own devising and made him back down. You are a genius! The next time Billy says anything about your people skills I will gladly tell him how you handled Dr. Smyth!"

Efraim checked his own security at the door of their room; everything checked fine. He opened it and they went into their room. Sighing, he locked the door and leaned against it. His head was pounding and he was tired. He looked at his watch, he wasn't even sure what time zone he was in let alone the day.

Walking into the room, he sat in one of the utilitarian upholstered chairs that decorated hotel rooms worldwide. He sighed and rubbed his temples, closing his eyes.

Francine walked over and standing behind him began to massage his shoulders. Slipping his leather jacket off of his shoulders, she tossed it on the bed and went back to massaging her husband's neck and shoulders. He sighed deeply, enjoying the sensation of her hands on his neck and shoulders.

"Come on B, lay down on the bed so I can do this the right way." She tugged at his arm to get him out of the chair. Laying down on his stomach, he pulled a pillow to rest his head on. Francine kicked off her shoes and undid the laces on his and pulled them off. Sitting between his legs, she lifted his foot onto her lap and massaged it and then the other, smiling as he moaned. She moved up his legs and back to his neck and shoulders, feeling the tension in his body slip away under her hands.

Piling the pillows against the headboard, she sat against them. " B, put your head on my lap and I'll rub your temples."

He grinned and she shot him a warning look, but he laid the back of his head on her lap, laying between her legs, his hands on his chest. As she massaged his temples and head, his breathing slowed and he fell asleep. Francine grinned, she would tease him about falling asleep on her in bed.

Carefully getting up, she got ready for bed, putting on her robe while she brushed her teeth and washed her face. Coming back out in the room she saw that Efraim was sleeping soundly so she checked the sensors herself on the balcony, looking at the city of Istanbul below her. The minarets of the mosques and palaces where lit and life bustled on the streets below her. She could see the lights on the far side of the Bosphorus, the doorstep of Asia. Pulling the drapes, she went and tugged on her husbands jeans, undressing him for bed. She wouldn't put it past him to pretend to be asleep, but he was dead weight and out like a light. She struggled but finally managed to undress him and pull the blankets back from underneath him. Shedding her robe, she climbed in bed, taking him in her arms and pulling him close to her, letting her body warm his.

Efraim always took care of her. Being with him and taking care of his needs tonight made her realize the depths of love that he had for her because her heart was overflowing with the same fierce need to take care of the man in her arms. She knew she loved him, she had never felt the way she did for Efraim with anyone else. But now she understood just how much she did love him.

"Goodnight John Efraim Beaman. I love you." She whispered to him, kissing his cheek. He murmured back and gave a slight squeeze which brought a gentle smile to her lips. She fell asleep thinking that she finally felt a whole.