Dr. Ridenour turned his attention from the four FBI agents. Napoleon couldn't help but notice the nervous way the man moved and his tremulous voice as he addressed the UNCLE agents as they entered the office. "Ah, Mr. Solo and Mr. Kuryakin. I am so glad to meet you, although I did expect you about an hour and half ago. Did you have any trouble finding my office?"
"No sir, we had to make a slight detour, but we're here now." Napoleon gave Illya a side glance hoping his friend would refrain from saying anything that might give the FBI agents a reason to show further hostilities towards the two.
"Well, I'm glad your here!" He wiped his brow with a handkerchief. "I would like to introduce you to these men. They are from the FBI and have offered to help you rescue my daughter."
"Ah, yes, we've met." Napoleon replied his voice less than friendly.
"Hello, again," Agent Galloway grinned reaching a hand out in greeting to Napoleon but in a mocking voice addressed the Russian. "My goodness, Agent Kuryakin! What happened to you? You look like you had a fight with a porcupine or a run in with some of the cacti for which New Mexico is famous!
Solo refused Galloway's hand while Kuryakin simply glared at the man.
"Dr. Ridenour, if we may, we would like to speak to you privately and go over the information regarding your daughter." Giving a pointed look at the FBI agents, he continued, "It is important that we keep our plans confidential."
"I thought your agencies worked together in times like these. But, of course, if it's what you wish…" He turned to the four men. "Special Agent Galloway, if you please, I would like to speak to Mr. Solo and Mr. Kuryakin alone. Why don't you go back to your hotel in Española and get some rest after your travels."
"Now just a damn minute…" Galloway thought better of what he was going to say. Looking at his colleagues he said, "alright men. Apparently, our UNCLE friends don't like to share." He pushed past the group and out the door with the other three close behind.
As the door closed behind the retreating men, Dr. Ridenour let out a sigh of relief. "Gentlemen, I can't tell how glad I am to see those jerks leave! They just barged in and started making demands for information about Lucinda's kidnapping, what the ransom note said, and they were most interested in UNCLE's involvement." He turned to Kuryakin, "and they were particularly interested in you, Mr. Kuryakin! Do you have any idea why?"
"They are a bit paranoid that my Russian citizenship means I have a nefarious reason for being involved especially given that it involves the Los Alamos labs." He paused, "I can assure you, doctor, that the only interest I have is getting your daughter back to you safely and capturing those responsible for her kidnapping. My loyalties lie with the U.N.C.L.E."
"Mr. Kuryakin are you okay? I can't help but notice the injuries to your hands and the side of your face."
"My partner tripped over a patch of cactus." Solo interjected. "That's why we were a bit late as we stopped at the infirmary up the road.
"Doctor, if you don't mind I think it would be best if we get down to the business of getting your daughter back to you."
"Of course, Mr. Solo."
An hour later:
"So you see Mr. Solo, you just have to save my little Lucinda!" Ridenour picked up her portrait, his eyes glistened with tears. "She doesn't have a mean bone in her body and is not use to people treating her badly. Please tell me you can get her back safely!"
"Dr. Ridenour," Agent Kuryakin said. "I promise you that we will do everything in our power to bring your daughter back safely and bring the kidnappers to justice. Am I correct in thinking that you have been able to raise the $3 million ransom?"
"Yes," the man looked down at his feet. "I'm not proud of the way I procured it. The United States government provided the funds."
"Yes," Solo replied. "I understand that you made some fairly strong threats…"
"I had to! Don't you understand?" I don't have that kind of money and the government doesn't believe in paying ransoms to terrorists! So I had to threaten them with sabotaging the project! It was the only thing I could think of to get the money."
"And your threat to destroy the whole compound?"
Dr. Ridenour sat down in his chair, his whole body seemed to melt as he slumped behind the desk. He spoke into his hands as he pressed them against his face. His voice sobbed, "You know as well as I that would be impossible, Mr. Solo. But given the circumstances I was ready to sell my soul if it meant getting my daughter back." He looked up and looked the chief agent in the eye, "and I'd threaten the same thing again if I knew it would bring my daughter safely home."
"Alright, Dr. Ridenour. Tomorrow is the twenty-third. Since the original note didn't give a time for the meeting I assume you have been given further instructions?"
"We are to meet them at 10:30 in the morning. There will be a large throng of tourists buying from the Pueblo Indians who come in to Santa Fe to sell their wares."
"Then we need to get to Santa Fe this evening and get a feel for the place so that we are ready when the exchange takes place. Go home. You and your wife need to pack and we'll take you to a hotel in Santa Fe. Have a nice dinner, get some rest, and meet the kidnappers at the prescribed time and place. We will be nearby at all times but you won't see us until the time is right.
Two hours later, the Ridenours were safely ensconced in the La Fonda Hotel, a well established hotel since 1922. The cream colored stucco glowed a soft pink as the western sun reflected off it walls. Groups of tourists gathered around the bar and in the restaurants as the sunset stretched into the night.
Napoleon and Illya said their goodnights and strolled around the plaza getting familiar with the layout of the city and of the Palace of the Governors where the exchange was to take place in the building. Afterwards Napoleon used his communicator to fill Mr. Waverly in on the events of the day, not leaving out any details. When Mr. Waverly heard of the conduct of the FBI agents and what they had done to Kuryakin he promised that he would contact the FBI bigwigs in Washington and see that the agents involved would be recalled and reprimanded.
Napoleon closed his communicator and looked over at his partner. "How are you feeling, Illya?" He knew Illya was still hurting from the puncture wounds left by the cactus needles. It also appeared that some of the puncture wounds were beginning to fester a bit.
"I will be okay, but I am very hungry!"
Napoleon smiled, "I'm glad you are. I understand there's a fairly new restaurant called The Compound that has excellent reviews. I think we deserve a good meal courtesy of UNCLE's expense account especially after what you've been through!
"And who am I to argue with the chief agent of UNCLE? I am ready when you are."
Two hours later and fully sated with a gourmet meal the two men retired to their hotel room. After a thorough search of their room and their firearm tucked under their pillows the two drifted off to a fitful sleep.