As he had for the past several days, ever since the confrontation with Steve, Shane woke at 5 a.m. and headed straight for the communications room. He would remain there until the afternoon and would then find something to do with Andrew, away from everyone else in the house.

He punched in his access code on the phone and waited for approval. Tarrington was somewhere in California, so it was late-evening for him. They could have probably done these calls during Shane's afternoons and Tarrington's mornings, but the ISA Chief seemed insistent on these ridiculous hours.

The call was patched through and Shane heard Tarrington's voice on the other end. The ISA Chief dispensed with the pleasantries and got right down to business.

"Shane, give me your report on Johnson," Tarrington said. "Has he shown any improvement?"

Shane debated the answer. The truth was no, because Steve was still refusing to work with Kim. But Shane also knew his boss was impatient. He wanted results and, if Shane's plan to have Steve recover at Donovan Manor failed, Tarrington would seize Steve and send him to a secure psychiatric facility.

"I believe so," Shane lied. He quickly added, "But it's still going to take time before he's ready to tell us anything about Alamain - if he even knows anything."

"We don't have time, Shane."

Now Shane was puzzled. "Why not? The virus has been cured. What else could possibly be so time-sensitive?" There was a lengthy pause on the other end of the phone that told Shane his superior was hiding something from him. "Tarrington, am I not the Head of Special Investigations?"

Tarrington replied. "Yes, of course."

"And isn't that the second-highest position in the ISA?" Shane wondered why this felt so much like an interrogation.

"Yes, Shane."

Now that his position in the organization was clear, Shane asked, "So what could possibly be so secret that you can't tell me?"

He heard Tarrington sigh. "It's Alamain. Our field agents are seeing a lot of odd movement. Known facilities are being shut down. Work is being moved to other countries. And we're hearing that Alamain's people are promising something big on the horizon."

"Something big?" Shane said. "Like another virus?" It was always possible that the ISA virus was a dry run, a test for something bigger down the road.

"We don't know," Tarrington replied. "It's possible, but our analysts think it might be something even more controllable, some sort of weapon. Alamain's people have been in contact with a lot of people, some of the worst despots and terrorists out there, and have told them to be ready for very high bidding on something important. Some of the reports have referred to it as 'world-changing.'"

Shane didn't like the sound of that. Lawrence was amoral and that was very dangerous when coupled with the fortune he had inherited. Shane had already experienced some of Lawrence's deadly toys when the man showed off his "special effects" in Alamainia. He definitely had the resources to develop a weapon to sell to the highest bidder. Then Shane remembered the compound and the thick smoke that burned his throat.

"It's chemical," Shane said. "And you think that's what they were developing in Egypt."

"That is what we suspect," Tarrington confirmed.

"And you think Steve might know what it is." Shane finished putting the pieces together.

"It's quite possible, as he was in the compound. Considering he was used to test the virus, Alamain's people may have intended to use him to test this new agent."

Shane sat back in his chair and let that sink in. Had they not rescued Steve, he would have continued to be Lawrence's guinea pig, possibly for something even more deadly than the virus. Letting out a deep breath, Shane asked, "So what's the ISA's strategy going forward?"

"We keep our informants and operatives in place until we get a better idea of exactly what Alamain has up his sleeve," Tarrington said. "Then we'll know how best to approach it."

That made sense, and maybe it was all the ISA could do right now, but Shane wanted something more. "I want to head this one," he said. "If it involves Alamain, I should be in charge of the operation."

Tarrington chuckled. "Don't get ahead of yourself, old boy. We don't know enough right now, and it may turn out that your history of animus with Alamain is a liability on this matter."

Shane knew that was true. It would be hard for him to get anywhere near Lawrence, but he could still oversee the operatives. But there would be time enough for him to press Tarrington on that. "We'll see when the time comes," Shane said.

"In the meantime, Shane, we really could use you in Baghdad."

They were back to that. Getting an Iraqi scientist out of the country - out of a war zone. "Can't we leave that one for the CIA?" Shane asked.

"Under normal circumstances, but they've asked for you personally," Tarrington said. "You speak the language and know the region quite well. And, I'll add, those in positions to have knowledge of your recent mission are quite impressed."

"I'm not sure why," Shane said. "The ODA did most of the work."

"Don't sell yourself short, Shane. Captain Nowicki's report praised your performance. He even said you were the first 'forward observer' he did not want to shoot at the first opportunity."

"High praise, indeed." Shane did not attempt to hold back the sarcasm. "So why do I feel like you're trying to stroke my ego, Tarrington?"

The ISA Chief laughed. "Perhaps. But we really could use you on this operation. Will you at least think about it?"

"Very well." Shane knew that was the best response. "But with everything going on here, understand that it's very unlikely I'll be able to leave."

The call finished soon after, and Shane let out a deep breath. The information about Lawrence was beyond troubling, and Shane had to consider the possibility that Steve knew something about those plans. That made it all the more important to get Steve talking.