New chapter. Thanks to everyone who's said nice things about this story. I hope after reading this you'll continue to do so!

Chapter 10

"OK, Hayman will be assigned as a cell block cleaner until he's transferred to State Prison." Assistant Warden Morrison summed up the discussion of the Assignments Committee. He glanced down at his papers, "Now, we have two voluntary requests for work assignments on the Garbage Detail from pre-trial detainees, 25674, Jonathan Bristow and 25676, Arvin Sloane …Jimmy?"

The Works Superintendent looked up, "I can certainly use them. We're always short of workers since those awaiting trial can't be forced to work and the convicts are only here for a short time until they're moved to a State facility."

Morrison nodded and turned to the medical officer, "Doctor Mendes?"

"There are no medical reasons why they can't be assigned. In fact, they're in excellent shape, especially for men of their age."

Monica Swanson, the Education Supervisor shuffled her papers, "It says here these men both have university degrees. Why can't I have them as tutors for the literacy programme?"

"They specifically asked for the Garbage Detail," the Assistant Warden reminded her, "and we can't make them work if they don't want to." He checked his notes, then added, "Actually, the Lieutenant who took their requests says that they rejected his suggestion they work in the Library or the Education Department. They insisted on the Garbage Detail. Said they wanted to be occupied but on something completely different from the kind of work they did outside."

The Guard Captain grunted, "I don't trust this interest in fresh air and exercise." he said, "Who in their right mind wants to haul large bins of foul smelling garbage around when they can have a nice clean job teaching other inmates the alphabet? Don't forget, the Garbage Detail has access to almost every part of this facility. It's always been a favourite with potential escapers."

"Actually, their wish to do something completely different may be understandable Captain O'Brien." Chief Caseworker Barbara Heinrich noted, "They could be trying to maintain a psychological distance between their normal life and their current situation. If they took on a role for which they are well qualified they might think it means they're coming to terms with incarceration and accepting they could be found guilty. They would not want to face that possibility."

"According to the reports I've been getting, these guys have a very firm grasp on reality." Captain O'Brien noted grimly. "Don't forget, they were CIA Field agents. They won't be big on wishful thinking and they will be well trained in escape and evasion techniques. These are not the harmless, middle aged, middle class men they appear to be. Remember, shortly after they came in, they took down five members of the Latin Kings in a swift, decisive assault lasting, at most, seven minutes. What that says to me is they are highly skilled in unarmed, close combat fighting. I did three tours in 'Nam and I've met people like these before, sure they're well educated, sure, they've got all the right social skills but they are also completely ruthless and will do whatever it takes for their mission to be a success."

Assistant Warden Morrison considered the points raised for several minutes before giving his decision, "Give them the assignment." he said, before turning to O'Brien, "but make sure they're closely watched at all times. If they do anything even remotely out of the ordinary, I want them in the SHU before their feet have a chance to touch the ground. You and your guys haven't lost us one yet, Connie, I'm confident you're not going to let these be the first, if that's what they're planning."

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DA Arthur Branch strolled into the bar of the Manhattan Republican Club and looked around. A man waved at him from a corner and Branch walked over to join him.

The man rose and shook his hand. "Arthur. Nice to see you again. How's Angie? Sit down. What do you want to drink?" He looked round and signalled for a waiter.

"I'll have a whiskey and soda thanks Ted." Branch replied, "Angie's fine. How's Claire?"

"Fine, fine." replied senior Presidential advisor, Ted Perkins, "you know; only a few days ago I was reminiscing with her about how the two of us first met. We were both volunteers in Tony Steadman's campaign for the State Senate. You remember?"

Branch smiled at the fond memory. His drink arrived and he raised it in a toast. "To Tony Steadman, the first Republican elected to the Texas State Senate since the Civil War!" he toasted.

Ted Perkins raised his own glass and drank.

Branch put down his drink and looked at his old friend, "But you haven't come all the way from Washington to talk about the old days have you Ted?" It was a statement, not a question.

Perkins sighed. "I'm afraid not Arthur." he said. "The Bristow and Sloane case is causing problems for us at both Foggy Bottom and Capitol Hill. If there's a trial it could potentially be very damaging to both the country and the Party."

"The Selzer case." Branch corrected him, "He's the victim here and aren't we meant to be the party of victim's rights? Ted, we've known each other a long time. I told that Federal posse you sent to my office after Bristow and Sloane were arraigned and now I'm telling you. Over thirty years ago a young man was brutally murdered by two men who happened to be employed by the CIA. This is about making them pay for that crime, not some attempt to rake up dirt on the CIA. You have my word nothing damaging to Homeland Security will come out and I can't see how the Party can be affected by such ancient history. The President must still have been in short trousers when this all went down!"

"The Federal posse as you call it explained the political fallout in Latin America if this whole Allende coup thing is revived and it doesn't matter how old the President was when it happened. It's coming out on his watch and he'll take the political heat for it. That's the reality of politics; you know that as well as I do! As for Selzer, was he really a victim? He was giving aid and comfort to Communists. How do you know he wasn't one? At the very least he was supporting a guy willing to let the Soviets gain a foothold on the South American mainland with God knows what consequences!" Perkins tone became wheedling, "Look Arthur, I know the attitude of some of our bright young people pissed you off, but you can't let your emotions control your actions. You've got to keep the bigger picture in mind."

Branch's voice became cold, "James Selzer was a journalist. OK, so I don't agree with his political views or with the editorial policy of his newspaper any more than you do, but he was exercising his First Amendment right to freedom of expression and that is one of the things that makes this country great. Unless you can provide evidence that he did something more than that, he's still the victim here. Just because someone holds political views we both find wrong and foolish is no reason to kill them." He got up, "Thanks for the drink and the talk Ted but I have to go now."

"Arthur," Perkins said, "I ask you to reconsider. When you come up for re-election Republican donors might not be willing to support your campaign financially and you may not find too many high profile Republican's prepared to support your candidature."

Branch shrugged, "I'll take the risk." he said, "I owe it to James Selzer and his parents. They are decent, upstanding Americans who have never stopped seeking justice for their son all these years. I've seen the pictures of what the men you're trying to protect did to him. That shouldn't happen to anyone. Oh, by the way, you can re-assure your friends at Langley that I'm not going to be making an issue of the fact that Bristow and Sloane are still affiliated to the CIA."

He smiled at the stunned look on Perkins face, "If you'd wanted to keep that under wraps you shouldn't have sent such a high profile posse round so fast after the Arraignment." Then he walked away without a backward glance.

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"Just a little bit more powder on your jaw line Ms Bristow and you'll be fine." The make up artist padded the indicated area and stood back, "There, all finished."

Sydney looked at herself in the mirror. Quite frankly, she thought she looked awful but the woman had assured her it was necessary, otherwise she's look pale and washed out under the studio lights. This is insane! she thought. How can I continue to work undercover when I'm going to be seen on TV by millions of people?

Then she thought of her father. She'd been to visit him at Riker's Island that morning and although he'd tried to appear upbeat, she could see that Rodriguez' betrayal and the prospect of spending more time in jail were having an effect on him. She turned to look at her sister who was having the finishing touches put to her make-up. Nadia gave her a smile and, not for the first time, Sydney was amazed at her optimism. Still, she thought, I guess after all she's been through; if you didn't have a positive attitude you'd have given up and died by now.

Rodriguez testimony had been damaging. He had confirmed on oath what he had told Nadia and her at his apartment. Wilson and Shapiro had been unable to shake his statement that their fathers had met with Pinochet before the coup and assured him of US support. They had not been willing to press him about the immunity deal he had made for fear it would make the situation worse by encouraging him to go into details about Selzer's murder, creating more prejudice against their fathers. The judge had found the testimony convincing and she and Nadia had had to sit and watch as their father's were, once again, led out to be returned to prison. This time she knew it would be months, at least, before there was a chance for them to be freed.

An emergency meeting, comprising, she and Nadia, their fathers' lawyers and CIA Director Healy had been held that afternoon at the CIA's Manhattan office and it had been agreed that they needed to go on a public relations offensive. The jury was out there and needed to be influenced. Hence, she and Nadia had agreed to appear on Thirty Minutes, a topical news show, broadcast throughout New York and surrounding states.

Nadia rose and joined her. The Production Assistant came over, "OK. We're cutting to the commercial break now. If you come this way we'll get you seated and Marcia Wyatt will introduce you to the audience and start the interview as soon as the break's over.

Sydney and Nadia looked at each other, took a deep breath and followed her out of the make up room and into the Studio.

Marcia Wyatt greeted them with a smile and waited for their mikes to be adjusted, then, after the Floor Manager had made a sign, she turned to a camera and began, "Tonight we have with us the daughters of the former CIA agents charged with the thirty year old murder of New Yorker James Selzer that is currently rocking this State and having reverberations as far as Washington. Good evening, Ms Bristow, Ms Santos. Can you tell us why you believe your fathers are innocent of this crime, after all neither of you were born when it was allegedly committed?"

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Jack and Sloane manoeuvred the large unwieldy bin round the corner trying to breathe through their mouths to avoid the evil odours emanating from it. They remembered the words of the guard who'd collected them from their cell block after breakfast that morning.

"OK. You work five hours a day, except for weekends. The pay is $1 an hour, no work, no pay. Understand? That includes lawyers' visits so get them to come when you ain't working if you want to get paid. I hope you guys are up to this. It ain't a job for the weak stomached, if you get my meaning."

They'd nodded their understanding and acceptance of the terms to the guard and followed him out.

With a flick of his eye, Jack indicated the watching guard. "He hasn't taken his eyes off us all the time we've been out here." he observed.

Sloane shrugged. "It's to be expected Jack. They're bound to be suspicious about our motives in taking this job but they won't be able to keep us under constant observation for ever, if we do nothing out of the ordinary and get a reputation as reliable workers those responsible for our immediate supervision will eventually relax."

Jack nodded his agreement with Sloane's analysis. He had to admit they had learned a lot just by performing the job. The geography of the facility was now clearer to them, as were the various security check points and they had also been able to ascertain the times the City garbage truck arrived at the prison. For a first day, it had been very productive.

Sloane glanced at him quickly, "What do you think about the Thirty Minutes interview Sydney and Nadia gave last night?" he asked. "I don't like the idea of them having to perform in public like that."

Neither of them had seen the interview, their fellow inmates preferring to watch a baseball game on another channel but they'd been fully briefed by their lawyers during the lunch break.

Jack lips twitched slightly, "Neither do I." he admitted. "But Sydney doesn't like to feel powerless. From what I know about Nadia it's a personality trait she shares and both of them must have been feeling precisely that since this thing began. At least with this and the other interviews coming up they can feel they're taking some sort of control over the situation."

Sloane indicated his agreement as they trundled the bin into line with the others and turned back towards the guard.

T.B.C.

Capitol Hill – Location of US Congress
Foggy Bottom – Slang term for the US State department
SHU – Special Housing Unit. High security area within a prison. A prison within a prison.