He responded to both, nearly blinded from the Chevas, yet his professionalism demanded that he make immediate contact if possi- ble. <<<<<<CONNECTION>>>>>> Alex missed the message for several seconds before forcing him- self alert. He quickly entered his opening words before the connection would shut down. I have been contacted. Homosoto apparently never went home. He got an immediate re- sponse. BY WHOM The CIA The screen paused for several seconds. Alex was too drunk to notice. HOW? An old frrrriend. He called for a meeeeeeting. WHAT DID HE WANT? He asked about the US operations. HOW MUCH DOES HE KNOW? They kkknnow about the blackmail. But, they're fishing FISH Looking for answers. They know nothing. TELL ME MORE. I AM NOT HAPPY. The FBI is looking for an answer, who is behind the propaganda. They think it is very important, take it seriously. They brought in the CIA and, probably, the NSA. The effect is beginning. We should be pleased. AND THE PRESS? IS IT IN THE PAPERS? No, it was suppressed. The Government still controls the press. AND YOU. WHY CONTACT YOU? The same reason you did. It is pure coincidence. I AM NOT CONVINCED. An old friend, a colleague, called for a meeting. He asked for my help. He tried to hire me to find out if it was foreign. WHAT DID YOU SAY? I told him the streets, the rumors, know nothing. That is true. He never suspected me. I was surprised. He offered me money to give him information. HOW MUCH MONEY? $50,000 US I PAY YOU A THOUSAND TIMES THAT No, only 100 times. DOES IT MATTER? Only if they equal your money. MAKE SURE THEY DO NOT. IT IS NOT WORTH YOUR LIFE. The CIA does not have that kind of money. That is why the Rus- sians learned so much for so little. The US does not think they should pay to keep their secrets. THEY ARE WRONG. WE CALL IT INSURANCE. They call it blackmail. They do not have the funds. WHAT WILL YOU TELL THEM? I will tell them that it is not from here. No, it must be from the US. They will believe me. I will charge them for that information. AND THEY WILL BELIEVE YOU? If I make them pay, yes. If I give it for free, no. That's the American way. They will believe what is easiest to believe. They do not know that this is my last job. They cannot know. If they think that, they will suspect me. And then, you. WHY ME? They will use drugs I cannot resist. So, I must make sure I help them. AND IF THEY OFFER MONEY. AS MUCH AS I DO? Then we negotiate. THEN YOU WILL DIE. <<<<<<CONNECTION TERMINATED>>>>>> **************************************************************** Chapter 16 Wednesday, December 9 New York