WSB Headquarters, NYC

Chase sat across the conference table from Ross and Connie. They had finished with official business and he was now using the occasion to further make his case for the Gemini Group to have access to the Babbage Protocol.

"My group has kept to the terms of our charter assiduously. We are the ONLY micro-group that has ever successfully transitioned into an independent division of the Bureau in modern times," said Chase. "I think that alone is proof that we are dedicated, capable, discreet and loyal."

"We're not doubting that," said Connie.

"Then why can't I even be told more information about the protocol?" asked Chase. "I understand that you don't want me seeing the data center. But how can I gauge the suitability of my group to provide services to and to receive data from the system without more information?"

"That's not what's being asked of you, Chase," said Connie.

"That's what it sounds like to me."

"You've gotten along fine without it so far. Prove to me in writing that you have a real need for the system's capabilities and-"

"And if I do, then we'll have access?"

"Get me the report and I'll seriously consider the request," said Connie not backing down an inch.

Chase took a deep breath and leaned back against the chair. "I ... I will have to secure permission from some of my clients before information pertinent to them may be included in my report. I believe that once you see the kinds of requests my group receives and handles, Connie, that you'll agree how more efficiently we will be with the system."

He tried another tack. "I'll be honest, Connie. I originally scheduled this visit months ago because I wanted to talk to Tim Sidwell. I've known for some time that my group's technology infrastructure was ... is inadequate for the information collection and analysis demands of today. We've made do with off the shelf software and ad-hoc solutions. I wanted to pick Tim's brain on a system design. He was the best in the Bureau and he designed the system that Babbage replaced. WIth Tim gone, the only option I can see is asking for the protocol."

"There are qualified and security-cleared contractors that could do the job for you." said Connie.

"Maybe the kind of work that Chase's group does needs special handling, Connie. Outside contractors no matter how much we vet their backgrounds and personnel are always risky," said Ross. "I can see why Chase would want an internal resource to consult."

"That's right, Ross. In fact, Tim and I had exchanged emails. He said he was open to consulting for us to build the design specification. Then, my group would take it from there to get the contractors to implement the design." Chase looked closely at Ross then Connie. "Has the sweep of Tim's email and belongings revealed any files or specs intended for my group?" He chuckled. "Doodles on a napkin? I remember Tim was a doodler."

Connie smiled. "Sorry. No doodles."

"What about his home? Did he work from home?" asked Chase. "Any files there?"

Connie cleared her throat. "We picked all his loose files, computers, hard drives, a server and some data CDs. Nothing on them is very recent. There was no file data referencing you by name or your group."

"Was there a file encrypted in a code that your system doesn't know?"

"Why do you ask?" asked Connie.

"Tim said he was working on a new encryption method that he thought would be ideal for my group to use. Something original that wasn't used by the military or other intelligence groups," said Chase. He opened his briefcase and pulled out a one page document. He showed it to Connie and Ross. "He gave me a general document of what a Gem system would need. See?"

One look at the document convinced Connie. "He must have been working on it. That's a lot of thought put into it."

"It was a favor between friends. Things were going so well here that he was bored. Needed something to do. Did he work with an assistant?"

Connie shook her head. "No project assistant. He had an systems administrator though. But Tim is a loner when he designs. He only releases the final specification when he's all done. I'll let the forensics staff to be on a lookout for an encrypted file and project specification, Chase."

"I would appreciate it." Chase returned the document to his case and closed it. He looked at his watch and stood up. "I have some things to do before my flight leaves. Good to sit down with peers. Clear the air and plan for the future."

"I hope the trip hasn't been a complete waste."

"We picked up two new contracts out for five. That's better than I had hoped for."

"Good to hear," said Ross.

"I'll get my staff on that report, Connie." He smiled. "I think the best way to convince you though is for you to take a trip over to my headquarters."

"Where is that these days?"

"Commit to a visit and approve our report and you'll find out."

"Keeping a low profile is the Gem's speciality, isn't it?" asked Ross.

"Security, loyalty and discretion are our watchwords. We live by them."

Long Island, New York

Frisco breathed a sigh of relief as they crossed into Long Island. Beside him, Dianara read through Tim Sidwell's personnel file and the manifest inventory of items removed from his home.

"Learn anything interesting?" asked Frisco.

"Very. I didn't know TIm had been a whiz kid. I always associated him with Sean and Robert's generation," said Dianara.

"So did I until I met him and saw his file. Imagine being plucked out of high school by men in black suits for hacking into the WSB computers."

"At that time, hackers were a rarity. At least they recognized his talents and put him to work," said Dianara. "Does he know about Andrew?"

"Yes. Andrew says he couldn't have integrated SIMON into the WSB infrastructure as smoothly and Invisibly as he did without Tim's help," said Frisco.

"They've met?"

"Oh, yes. They both love boats in fact."

"So Tim is ... was heavily involved in the team?"

"In the beginning, yes, but not currently."

"But someone with his skills could be extremely helpful. Or, is it Connie that squashed any attempt to poach Tim?"

Frisco chuckled. "If it had come to that, she probably would have. No, Robert decided that a clean line had to be drawn between the insiders and the team. For everyone's protection," said Frisco. "Tim was the guard on the technical side. Connie fronted the political and operational side. I handled the field work identifying agents we could trust then later charged with Andrew's security coverage."

"And Felicia?"

"She was the personal liaison to the team distinct and separate from the Bureau."

"A connection to the Bureau through you is a pretty short distance via Felicia."

"That's why we stayed out in the field primarily. The less time at headquarters meant the less time to be questioned." Frisco sighed. "And, everyone knew that I ... I had an allergy to going home. As far as everyone knows I've burnt that bridge and dedicated myself and my life to the Bureau."

"Good cover."

"It was at the time. It's getting old though. Harder to keep up appearances, you know."

Dianara's phone rang. It was Connie. "Yes, Connie?"

"Where are you?" asked Connie. Traffic noises could be heard in the background.

"An hour from the house in Brookhaven," said Frisco.

"FYI I just found out that Tim may have been doing some side work for Chase's Gem Group. Be on the look out for an encrypted file of some kind and a design specification document for a new computer system. We didn't find anything within the items removed from the property. It could still be there and well hidden knowing Tim."

"Got it. Will do," said Frisco. "Where are you? Coney Island?"

"Just taking a walk. Chase and Rosss have been all over me. This is the first chance I got to call you," said Connie. "Find those DAT tapes and get out. I've getting some funny vibes from Chase and not the kind I like either. Dianara, Mac called me. He wants you to call him ASAP."

"Why didn't he call me directly?" asked Dianara.

"He was but he didn't know if you were going to be working and didn't want to blow your cover."

"He's always so thoughtful," said Dianara with a sappy smile on her face. She disconnected the call and contacted Mac. "Mac, it's me."

Mac's harried face was on the display. He was in his car. "Hey! Wanted to let you know that Maxie is just fine. Can you call Ivan Korolev and check if he had any ops in our neighborhood?"

"Maxie? Ivan? What's going on?" asked Dianara. "Frisco's with me. You're on speakerphone."

"Hi, Frisco."

"Mac. What's that about Maxie?" asked Frisco. "Is she okay? She hasn't recovered from the maze thing yet."

Mac looked to the side and said. "Maxie will explain it. Go on."

The display changed and Maxie came on. "Well, not a big deal."

"Uh, huh. It happens every day," said Mac to the side.

"I was checking the house, picking up the mails and stuff like that when I got jumped-"

"What?" yelled Frisco. The car lurched then righted itself as he regained control of himself.

"I was blindfolded and tied up. The burglar took off my blindfold and untied my hands and feet before he left," Maxie explained. "I pressed SIMON's panic button, got checked out fine at the hospital and here I am . End of story."

Frisco looked at Maxie's picture on the screen. "You're really okay?"

Maxie nodded. "Doctor Quartermaine has me scheduled for a cardiac check up next week. I'm fine."

"As soon as my current task is done, I'll be on a plane. I'll be home tonight and we'll talk. You're staying at the house so we can watch you," said Dianara.

"I told you so," came Mac's voice. "Heading for the house."

"Any ID on the perpetrator?" asked Dianara.

"Maxie says that he was an older man and sounded like Ivan," said Mac. "It wasn't a burglary. She was tied up by a professional who was looking for something in the house."

"Okay. I'm not aware of any direct operation BY Ivan but it's not out of the realm of possibility that there could be an operation."

"Could it be because of you?" asked Mac. "It's common knowledge we live together there."

"Anything is possible, I suppose," said Dianara.

"There's a call from a Russian location. We don't have the exact location yet," said Mac. "Could it be a relative who knew you?"

"No one could connect me with my past childhood. I've grown. I look Italian and not Russian. I don't know anyone there," said Dianara. Then her face paled. "Um, I'll call Ivan and see if he knows anything. Ah, any word from Vincent's team?"

Mac's face was concerned. "The Austrian op is starting or has already started. It's out of our hands."

"Radio silence?"

"I think so. Isn't that usual procedure?" asked Mac.

Frisco shook his head slightly. Dianara lied smoothly. "Yes, it is. I'll definitely be back home tonight."

Mac grinned. "We'll have your favorites tonight."

They said their farewells and Dianara ended the call. "Frisco, they should know the operation isn't a normal one."

"I don't like it either but orders are orders," said Frisco. "Need to know only. By the way, I caught your reaction about the call from Russia? Anything you want to tell me?"

"Not at present." Dianara closed the folder on her lap. "It's probably nothing."

Brookhaven, Long Island

Frisco and Dianara found the key where Tim's sister said it would be. They entered and divided up search duties. Just as Connie had said, they had found the DAT tapes amongst Tim's vast music cassette collection. They promptly disappeared inside Dianara's large purse. Unlike the WSB search team, they had a few additional locations to search.

Frisco stood by a wide set of shelves filled with books of every size, shape and topic. He scanned the titles of each book.

"What are you doing?" asked Dianara coming into the study from the kitchen. "The kitchen is clear."

"Looking for Tim's favorite book." He crouched to look at the lower shelves. "Standard team operating procedure. Old school. Explain later. Look for Mona Lisa Overdrive by Gibson by itself or in a collection." He took a paperback book out. "Never mind. Found it."

Frisco flipped through the book until he found a phrase scrawled on the margin of one page. He showed it to Dianara. "C'mon, let's get out of here."

Dianara read the words aloud, "The lady's gems sparkle in the sun forever. What does that mean?"

"Tim had something. Something he HAD to hide." Frisco ran out of the house with Dianara close behind him.

In too much of a hurry, neither noticed the tracer bug affixed to the rear fender. But it was quite small and unless they knew to look for one, they wouldn't have thought to look. Besides, it was only a few minutes old.

Frisco drove at speed away from Tim Sidwell's house. Beside him, Dianara checked for pursuit. There was none visible. Her mind turned the phrase 'The lady's gems sparkle in the sun forever' over and over.

"Where are we going?" asked Dianara.

"To check out the Sparkle, Tim's boat."

"I see. And gems refers to the Gem Group or something valuable?"

"One or both maybe," said Frisco. "We used to use the marina and Tim's boat when we had to transport equipment or documents for the SIMON transition years ago."

"That makes sense. This is close enough to HQ to be handy but innocent on the surface to be unremarkable," said Dianara. "Does this mean SIMON's data center is around here?"

"No idea. I'm not even sure how SIMON is connected into HQ," said Frisco. "Everyone assumes its done via the Internet but I know the connection has never gone down even when Internet service was unavailable. The connection is so seamless that people don't notice it anymore. It's simply there all the time."

"For security reasons, the truth is only in a few people's heads?"

"I suspect that only Andrew and Tim knew for certain. Tim was a genius at cryptography and he loved puzzles. Whatever they set up has to be good to have held up so long without being broken. A lot of our own people have tried."

"Really?"

"There are those, like Ross, who want SIMON disengaged entirely as much as we want to keep it in service."

"One thing I've never fully understood is how SIMON got so embedded into the WSB? I know Andrew put it in as a virus to hunt for information about Faison but why was it allowed to have so much influence?" asked Dianara.

"Because SIMON delivered results and the ones in charge didn't see it as a threat until it was too entrenched in our daily work and routines. It was offered free of charge, too, don't forget. Money is a wonderful motivator," said Frisco. "Robert drove that initiative through from start to finish. His ace in the hole was Tim and Connie. Without their help and cooperation, SIMON could have been removed. Not easily but possible. Too late now."

"Tim's gone. You're resigning. That only leaves Connie," said Dianara. "When I had dinner with her, I could tell she was tired of the business and the politics."

Frisco sighed. "She's been at it as long as Robert and Sean. That's a long time. I know that Robert had it in mind for me to replace Connie at some point but I've hung in as long as I could and no more. I have to assume that Robert has another ace up his sleeve to protect Connie and groom her replacement in the near future."

The car pulled into a small but busy marina.

"Let's go. The Sparkle should be in the farthest slip." Frisco and Dianara got out of the car and ambled leisurely into the marina.

On the rear fender, the tracer sent another signal. The recipient of the signal wasn't too far away.