"The Director has asked ECCO to investigate the latest round of viruses and the infiltration of a dozen or so sensitive and classified computers." Bob watched for Ty's reaction, but saw none yet. He wondered how he would take the news. "This time, we would like to be involved in the entire operation from start to finish. Make sure the investigation is done right. We'd like to start nailing some of the bastards on the Federal level. Besides you have the legal background and we are treading on some very new and untested waters." "I can imagine. So what's our role?" "Your role," Bob emphasized 'your', "will be to liaison with the other interested agencies." "Who else is playing?" asked Tyrone with trepidation. "Uh, that is the one negative," stammered Bob. "You've got NSA, CIA, NIST, the NSC, the JCS and a bunch of others that don't matter. The only rough spot is the NSA/NIST connection. Every- one else is there just to make sure they don't miss anything." "What's their problem?" "Haven't heard, huh?" laughed Bob. "The press hasn't been kind. They've been in such a pissing match for so long that computer security work came to a virtual halt and I don't want to spoil the surprise, ah, you'll see," he added chuckling. Tyrone sat back in the chair as he was cool enough now not to stick to it, closed his eyes and rotated his head to work out the kinks. Bob never had gotten used to Tyrone's peculiar method of deep thought; he found it most unnerving. Bob's intents were crystal clear, not that Tyrone minded. He had no desire to move to D.C.; indeed he would have quit instead. He wanted to stay with the Bureau and the action but in his comfortable New York existence. Otherwise, no. But, if he could get Bob off his back by this one favor. Sure it might not be real action, watching computer jockies play with themselves . . .but it might be an interesting change in pace. "Yes, under a couple of condition." Tyrone was suddenly a little too agreeable and smug after his earlier hesitancy. "Conditions? What conditions?" Bob's suspicion was clear. "One. I do it my way, with no, and I mean, absolutely no inter- ference." Duncan awaited a reply to his first demand. "What else?" "I get to use who I want to use, inside or outside the Bureau." "Outside? Outside? We can't let this outside. The last thing in the world we want is publicity." "You're gonna get it anyway. Let's do it right this time." "What do you mean by that?" Bob asked somewhat defensively. "What I mean is," Tyrone spoke up, sounding confident, "that the press are already on this computer virus thing and hackers and all. So, let's not advertise it, but when it comes up, let's deal with it honest." "No way," blurted out Bob. "They'll make it worse than it is." "I have that covered. A friend of my works for a paper, and he is a potential asset." "What's the trade?"