Chapter Three - OSI Director's Office - 8/12/84 - 1:00pm
Rudy Wells strode excitedly into Oscar's office and placed a miniscule metal device on his desk. "Here you go - this is it. Her ear was re-wired so it transmitted to wherever these people are - no way to trace that, unfortunately. Then this little piece of work (he motioned to the device) had the power to zap her with enough voltage to damn near kill her, if she said or did something wrong. I found traces in Jaime's blood of two separate hypnotic drugs and possibly a hallucinogen as well. If she was at the Pentagon, she has no memory of it and was definitely not responsible for what happened."
"Rudy, thank you," Oscar said, smiling at him. "That's wonderful news. I've arranged for Jaime to be transferred to OSI custody, and with your report, we should be able to get her released."
"The sooner, the better," Rudy agreed. "I'd like to admit her for a good long rest, and run a battery of tests, but having the NSB hanging out in the hallways just isn't conducive to a patient's recovery."
Hansen suddenly threw the office door open, stormed into the room and slammed it behind him. "Alright, Goldman, one chance to answer before I have you up on conspiracy charges. Where are Austin and Sommers?"
"Deep breath, Hansen. I couldn't tell you where Steve is, but Jaime Sommers is in the process of being transferred to OSI custody as we speak. Agent Clark should be picking her up from -"
"Wrong! Someone claiming to be Agent Clark came and took her away, but then the real Agent Clark showed up, and when we pulled the security tape - lo and behold - it was Austin. Now they're both gone, and I'll have your head on a platter for this one, Goldman. If you can't keep your own people on their leashes -"
"First of all," Oscar said angrily, "it was your people who allowed her to be released to the wrong agent. Second, I'd like to find her even more than you would, because I've got the information that will clear her of all charges."
"I wouldn't count on that," Hansen argued.
"Let's handle one thing at a time," Oscar argued. "First, we need to find Jaime and Steve, and then you can do your bloody well best to try and sink your claws into them. Isn't gonna happen."
Hansen shook his head. "Two executions are always better than one..."
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OSI Safehouse - Baltimore - 6:45pm
"We can't stay here too long," Steve told Jaime, as he showed her to one of the bedrooms. "We'll have to leave before morning, but at least you can get some rest. You look beat." Jaime's face was pale, her manner weary. She smiled weakly at him.
"What about you?" she asked.
"I'm really not too tired, and I'll keep an eye out for the Goon Squad while you rest."
"Steve - thank you." The minute her head hit the pillow, Jaime was sound asleep. Steve watched her for a little while, wondering how in the world he'd ever be able to tell her what had happened at the Pentagon. She'd still been feeling the effects of whatever she'd been shot up with while in the interrogation room, and had missed his 'double homicide' comment. The fact that two lives had been lost at her hands, even if she had no control at the time, was going to devastate her. Steve prayed she could at least have a restful night before they faced whatever was ahead of them.
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Rudy's Lab - Washington DC - 7:00pm
Rudy nearly quivered with excitement and relief as he dialed Oscar's number. "I've got good news," he told his friend.
"I could sure use some," Oscar muttered.
"I was able to re-activate the signal on the shock device that was used to hurt Jaime. I've got a location for you."
"Wonderful. Do me a favor, Rudy? Don't give that address to anyone but me. I'm on my way over."
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Safe House - Baltimore - 11:10pm
Steve sat in the living room, staring through the crack between the curtain and the wall at the front of the house. He looked up to see Jaime standing quietly behind him. "You're supposed to be sleeping," he told her gently.
"I did. Some, anyway. But I kept waking up with this awful, panicky feeling. Finally gave up."
"Sweetheart, I'm not sure how long it might be before there's an actual bed -"
Jaime stopped him. "Shh-hh." She was listening closely to something. "Steve," she said, trying to keep her voice from shaking, "We have to get out. Now."
"What do you -"
Jaime grabbed his arm and pulled him from the house, out the back door and into the surrounding woods. Steve heard the deafening roar of an explosion and looked up to see the house they had been in turn into a huge orange fireball, filling the night sky.