Russ entered the outer office to find Callahan nervously rearranging files.

"Callahan, you wanted to see me?"

"Yes, I've got a situation and I'm not sure how to handle it." Russ nodded at her and she continued. "You and Rudy told me to keep it quiet that Oscar isn't here, which I've been doing."

When she hesitated, Russ prompted her. "But?"

"Well some Air Force Colonel keeps calling, insisting that it's very urgent that he speak with Oscar."

"What's the guy's name?"

"Howard Bradley. Colonel Howard Bradley."

Russ shook his head. "I've never heard of him. Just tell him that Oscar can't be reached right now, and refer him over to Hansen's office at the NSB."

"Mr. Hansen won't like it."

Russ smiled. "Exactly, Callahan."

She smiled back at him as he headed for the door. "It never made sense to me anyway..."

Russ turned back around to look at her. "What didn't?"

"The Colonel in charge of security at the Pentagon calling for Oscar...it sounds more like an NSB thing anyway, doesn't it?"

Russ was suddenly more interested. "He's in charge of security at the Pentagon?"

"That's what he said, yes."

"Hmmm, on second thought, Callahan, I'm going to be in Oscar's office, when this guy calls again, I want you to put him through."

Callahan looked confused, but agreed, "Okay." She swallowed hard. "Russ?'

"Yeah?"

"How is Oscar?"

Russ shook his head as he opened the door to the inner office. "Not so good, Peggy. But Rudy's with him, so I'm sure if there's any change, we'll be the first to know."

She watched him walk into the office and close the door, and she wondered if it was a foreshadowing of things to come. Peggy shrugged it off; she couldn't afford to think that way, any more than she could help missing Oscar.

"I'm telling you Hansen, this is our guy."

"Some guy from the Pentagon calls, and you're certain he's the one who's masterminded all of this?"

"Look, Oscar was working on trapping the inside man at the Pentagon, and this is the guy who took the bait."

"And I suppose the man just admitted all of it to you, Oscar Goldman's assistant?"

Russ tried to keep the anger out of his voice. "He doesn't know I'm Oscar's assistant."

"Well who in the hell does he think you are?"

"Oscar."

Hansen leaned back in his chair, running a hand over his forehead. "So just why did he say he was calling?"

"He said there was a problem in the computer system at the Pentagon."

"So why didn't he call the NSB?"

"That's what I asked, and he said it was because the problem was stemming from an OSI terminal, and that the message was tagged as originating from me -- well, Oscar."

"And?"

"He said he wants to come by here and check out the system personally."

"When?"

"Tonight, nine o'clock."

"After hours. That's not surprising." Russ stared at Hansen, so the man continued, "Whatever he's planning on doing, it's not gonna be good for your health..."