NOTE: The cameo's of Director Upp and Melanie copied from RodS' serial "Breitlinger Jar," used with permission. Some of you noticed that Janette's first comment suggests she was aware of Annette's danger when it happened! How is this possible? She wasn't there! Was she? Twins, it seems, have been known to exhibit supernatural connections. These two in particular share a condition described clinically as “symbio-sympathetic cognitive and emotive neurogenesis.” They share knowledge and feelings – but not actual thoughts. Yes, I made up the name of their condition, but it sure sounds good! *NOTE: Mr. Nicholsby is code. To George Keith and Derek Thomlinson, it refers to Director Upp. A few of the Thomlinson-Nicholsby Associates staff - those who realize the law office is a cover-up for something bigger - think it means the "operational" or real T.N.A. The rest - those still in the dark - think it refers to a silent majority owner who is seldom mentioned and never seen. AND JUST WHY is George telling the Senior Partner what to do? In truth, George and Director Bungdit Upp (the real Director) go way back. There are few if any the Director trusts more. Though his field operative days are far behind him, no one is better qualified to monitor the D.C. firewall operation and see that it does it's job properly. The politicians may think Derek Thomlinson runs T.N.A., but not so! And George is the true power in the "official" (read that "façade") office making sure all the necessary smoke gets blown in front of the right mirrors. NOTE: Mr. Thomlinson is a fully qualified and competent attorney - it helps with the façade. And now to the point: The question of whether to bring Annette into the organization has become moot! An unforeseen event has made the decision for all concerned. Now there are only the formalities and clean-up to deal with. George has told Annette that her deductions so far are correct - the law office is a façade, it keeps Washington happy while obscuring the truth, and she is being used to trouble-shoot the operation so it can be made perfect! She knows she's not in yet. She also knows George won't stop her from getting in. Her mission is to penetrate as far as she can without any help. If she gets in, they are waiting to welcome her. George and the rest of T.N.A. are watching. Some of them are quietly rooting for her - even though the prospect of her succeeding is kind-of scary. To make all this work, George will fly to Heathrow on Durgan's ticket and passport. Any associates still looking for him will have to follow this trail trying to find him. Meanwhile, Arawen will "export the package" so it can be made to truly disappear; when T.N.A. wants something to disappear, even David Copperfield can't find it! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- This story begins here. The next episode is here. RodS' serial, Breitlenger Jar, can be found here.