Steve glanced at Jack as the two dark-suited ISA agents entered the bar.

"Hey, Billy Jack, now you're not the only one in here in a suit and tie." At Jack's grimace, Steve said, "Just take it easy and do what I told you."

The ISA agents stopped in front of their table and crossed their arms. Both looked like former linebackers and Steve suspected they were the biggest agents Tarrington could find. But Steve was not going to be intimidated.

"Hello, boys." Steve gave the two men a wry smile. "Care for a beer?" When they just continued to glare, Steve joked, "Of course not, that might affect your cheerful demeanors."

"Get up," said the first agent.

Jack eyed Steve, leaned over, and whispered, "I think we'd better do what he says."

"Sure things, boys," Steve said, keeping his tone light. "So where are we going now?"

"Just you," the agent said to Steve. "Not him."

Steve shook his head. "You don't think I'm stupid, do you? Jack's coming with, and, if he's not back in an hour, the Salem Spectator will be running an article on how its owner was last seen in the custody of the ISA."

The two agents looked at one another, and the first agent gave Jack a once-over before finally saying, "Come on. Tarrington's waiting."

Once in the parking lot, one of the agents frisked Steve. He gathered the other was doing the same to Jack, because his brother protested.

"Erm . . . this really is unnecessary. Just ask my brother . . . I don't really know how to handle a gun."

"They're clean," said the agent.

Steve grinned. "I knew that shower this morning would come in handy." The ISA agent did not seem to appreciate the joke, because he grabbed Steve's arm and shoved him toward a waiting sedan. Steve almost made a crack about what had happened to the Toyota, but decided not to bother. He did notice that a couple of Cheating Heart regulars were watching them. Good. He had faith in Vern Scofield running Jack's article, but witnesses could only help.

Soon enough, they were both inside the car and driving through the streets of Salem. Steve could feel a nervous energy rising inside him, but he also felt a surge of excitement. The late-afternoon traffic made traveling slow, but the car eventually drove into a residential neighborhood on the outskirts of town and pulled into the driveway of a small house.

"Interesting place you've got here," Steve said.

Jack nodded. "Looks like a Cape Cod."

"Out," said the lead ISA agent.

Shaking his head, Steve climbed out of the car. "You know, dude, we're not your prisoners. I asked for this meeting." The agent just continued to glare ominously and motioned for the front door, which another man was opening.

Behind him, Steve heard Jack whisper, "Are you sure about this? I can almost see the headline, 'Double Murder in Suburbs.'"

Steve had to admit that he was feeling some of same concern, but he shunted it aside. The ISA was not that stupid. "Keep your head up," Steve muttered so only Jack could hear. "Don't do anything stupid."

Stepping inside, Steve almost began to laugh. They had walked into a living room that looked like the Beaver and Wally should come rushing out of the back. The sofa and chairs were covered with flowered pillows that stood out against the pinkish walls.

"I think Alice Horton has that same couch," Jack said. "Not exactly what I pictured for a high-level spy meeting."

"Consider this a last-minute option," said someone from just beyond a door opposite them. The voice was low, with a distinct English accent. A moment later, a tall, gangly man with thinning, grey hair entered. On first glance, nothing seemed particularly remarkable about the man, but as he stepped into the room, the other agents cleared out of his way. That told Steve all he needed to know. The man must be Chief Tarrington. They had never met before; all of Steve's prior ISA contacts were with Shane, Gail Carson and Simon Prescott.

Tarrington stopped just inside the room. "I don't normally appreciate being summoned like this, Mr. Johnson."

"Well, you'll have to forgive me, Chief Tarrington. I don't normally appreciate someone trying to kidnap me or threatening my family, so we're even." Steve had rehearsed a bit of a speech for this meeting, but the details seemed to slip completely from his brain. Instead, he said, evenly, "I want you to back off."

"Back off?" Tarrington affected a questioning tone. "I don't know whatever you might mean."

Steve shook his head. "Don't give me that. I'm talking about the surveillance and your goons laying in wait the other day. It ends now."

"And if it doesn't?" Tarrington now sounded bemused. "I mean . . . who can blame the ISA for wanting to ensure the safety of a key witness in one of the biggest espionage trials this decade?"

"It's only 1991," Jack said. "You're not exactly reaching that far. Ooh-" Jack grunted as Steve's elbow connected with his ribs.

Steve did not need any distractions right now. "Look, Tarrington, I don't know what you think I'm keeping from you. I told Donovan everything-"

Tarrington interrupted. "I think we should excuse Mr. Devereaux from this discussion."

"Steve-"

It suddenly dawned on Steve why Tarrington did not want Jack there. Thank you, Chief. That's just the leverage I need. "It's okay, Jack. Why don't you wait in the car?"

Jack protested. "I really don't think I should leave you here."

"I assure you, Mr. Devereaux, your brother is perfectly safe," Tarrington said. "Had we wanted him to come to any harm, neither of you would have left the bar earlier today."

"Go on, Jack. It'll be okay." Steve waited for Jack to leave, followed by an ISA agent, no doubt to ensure that Jack did not eavesdrop through the front door. Another agent peered through the blinds on the front window and then nodded.

Now that they were free to speak openly, Tarrington said, "I'm sorry about that, but-"

"But you don't want the press to get wind about the poison Lawrence Alamain is creating." Steve smiled. "That paints you into a bit of a corner, doesn't it?"

Tarrington stepped forward. "That would be a national security disaster. You have no idea the panic it would cause. Surely you can see that."

Steve tapped his patch. "I see just fine, don't worry. So here's the deal. You leave me and my family alone and I don't spill the beans about what Alamain's cooking up. You know everything I know about it. I told Kim everything except what I remembered about the wine bottle, and I told Donovan about that. I'm not holding back anything."

As he finished, he felt much like a mouse being studied by a cat. Steve had never met Tarrington before, but he knew, beneath that seemingly unremarkable exterior, the man was dangerous. He was imperious and was accustomed to getting his way. This was not a man who liked dealing with ex-pool hustlers.

"Do we have a deal?" Steve asked.

Tarrington pursed his lips, then nodded once. "Very well, Johnson. You remain silent about what you know and we can withdraw the surveillance." He paused. "There is one more thing, however."

"What's that?"

"Donovan," Tarrington said. "You can't help him, Mr. Johnson."

Steve chuckled. And lied. "If you've done your homework, you know I've pretty much struck out on that front. Besides, Shane's pretty much decided to roll over for you, so I don't think you've got much to worry about." Steve shook his head. "It's crazy how the ISA can screw over its people so much and you still can get them to play 'good soldier.' Well, you don't have to worry about me messing up your plans to sell Shane out."

That mouse-feeling returned as the room fell silent. Finally, Tarrington said, "I urge you to remember that. Since we seem to be done here, please . . . . My agents will return you to your bar." As he finished, something flashed deep in his eyes. "Have a good night, Mr. Johnson. Feel free to go about your business."

You're lying, Steve thought, but he kept his cool. "I'm glad we understand each other, Chief," he said. "I wouldn't want any further misunderstandings." With that, he turned and headed out the door, spotting Jack, who was standing by the car.

As he got close, Jack gave him an expectant look. "So?"

"So that's how you deal with the big dogs, little brother." Steve grinned, as he, Jack and the two agents got into the car. "It's all clear. We understand each other."

Silently, Steve told himself that he understood more than Tarrington thought. Steve knew the ISA was not done with him, but he also knew they would back off for awhile, as a show of good faith and to encourage Steve to get complacent. That, at least, gave him time to prepare, because if the ISA came back, Steve intended to be ready.

Jack and Steve remained silent during the ride back to the Heart, although Steve knew that Jack was dying to ask him what had been discussed after he had been ushered from the room. When they finally reached the Heart, the car stopped and one of the agents silently gestured for Steve and Jack to exit.

"Thanks for ride boys." Steve grinned as he got out of the car. "Maybe we can do this-"

Before Steve could finish, the car sped away. Turning to Jack, Steve shrugged. "I guess they didn't have as much fun as we did."

"You call this fun?" Jack asked incredulously. "They could have killed us - or worse."

"You worry too much, Jackson." Steve could not help but feel exhilarated. Not just because his plan had worked to perfection, but because for the first time since his return, he felt like he was back on his game. He felt like him again.

"Come on, Jack," he said to his brother. "Let's get to your office. We have some work to do."

"What?" Jack said, following Steve to Jack's car. "I thought we were finished for the day."

"Not quite," Steve replied, getting into the car. "We've got a limited window of opportunity to try and get some information while the ISA pretends to back off and leave me alone. No point in wasting time."

Jack shook his head, but remained silent. Steve chuckled silently knowing his brother had no idea what he had gotten himself into when he promised to help. Glancing around, he noticed Jack's car phone.

"Hey, Billy Jack, can I use your phone? I promised to call Kayla."

"Sure," Jack replied. "Just keep it short. That thing costs a fortune."

Steve rolled his eye as he picked up the phone and dialed Kayla's office. He was not surprised when she answered on the first ring.

"Hey baby," he said when he heard her voice.

"Steve!" The relief in Kayla's voice was clear. "You're okay."

"I'm fit as a fiddle, Sweetness. Everything went perfectly. Even Jack managed not to screw anything up."

Steve heard Kayla giggle at that. "So we're safe now?" she asked.

"Yeah, baby. The ISA is going to back off for the time being at least."

"Good." Kayla's voice got softer and huskier. "How about I leave work right now and meet you at home in a few minutes?"

Steve closed his eye at the sound of her voice, then shook his head regretfully. "Sorry, Sweetness, but I need to work on some things with Jack for a few hours. I want to get a jump on the ISA and see if I can get some more information about that Special Forces unit. By tomorrow, that information might be harder to find."

Steve could hear Kayla sigh. "All right," she said reluctantly. "But please come home as soon as you can."

"I will, baby," he replied. "I'll see you in a few hours. I love you."

"I love you, too."

Steve hung up the phone and saw Jack looking at him. Ignoring the look, Steve looked out the window and saw they had arrived at the Spectator. When the car stopped, Steve grinned at Jack. "Come on, Jackson. It's time to go to work."