Very little had changed, Diana noted with interest, as she walked down the familiar corridors of the IADC heading toward the reception area near her old office. There were some new faces, but other than that, it was pretty much as she'd left it. She certainly had spent a many a night here in this building working late, catching naps when she could. She remembered all the conversations she and Steve had had over coffee in the morning.

Reaching the reception desk, she stopped abruptly causing its occupant, a blonde in her early twenties, to stare curiously.

"May I help you?" the young woman asked politely.

"I'm sorry," Diana said feeling slightly embarrassed. "It's just that I expected to find Susan Gentry sitting here. I used to work here. My name is Diana Prince." She extended her hand.

Accepting her hand in a friendly shake, the receptionist smiled, "I'm Teresa Winniford. I replaced Susan; she's on the fourth floor now with Mr. Tuttle. Let's see here..." She looked down at her date book. "I thought I saw a note from Mr. Mailer saying that he was expecting you this morning. Yes, here it is. Ms. Prince, I'll just check..."

About that time the doors to Steve's office swung open revealing Irving Mailer in all his smug glory. It took her by surprise. Somehow she had expected him to be occupying the adjoining office which used to belong to her. She wasn't prepared for this. To see Steve's belongings, to smell his after shave still lingering in the air, but most of all to see his empty chair.

Irving ushered her inside the office with an overly exaggerated gesture and she hesitatingly acquiesced.

Laced heavily with sarcasm, he said "Well, Diana, it's been awhile."

Diana couldn't help it. The loathing she had felt for him had not subsided with time as she had anticipated. "Not long enough, I'm afraid."

Feigning dejection, Irving cried, "Why, Diana! I guess it's not true after all that absence makes the heart grow fonder! That explains the Christmas cards I don't get from you every year." His eyes danced as he was thoroughly enjoying this little spar with words. His obnoxious laugh was more than she could stomach.

I'm surprised he'd get cards from anyone, she thought to herself. She didn't mind saying it aloud but knew the disdain intended would be lost on such an arrogant fool. Besides she didn't have time for this.

"Let's cut to the chase, shall we and save the games for later—after we find Steve."

His grin disappeared.

"After we find Steve? You believe he may still be alive?" he asked incredulously.

"I refuse to believe otherwise. After all, there has been no body found and the search is far from being over. I assume the search began immediately?"

Sounding insulted, he snorted, "Of course. We started in the general vicinity where Steve's charred Jeep was found in Georgetown near an abandoned dry cleaners. No evidence of a body was found among the remains of the Jeep or nearby. We are following leads and getting new ones every day that seem to tie in with recent findings concerning the Torentino family. The findings are all here in these files." He patted a stack of files before him on the desk.

He continued. "We have our best men on this and really I see no reason for you being here. And then there's that personal conflict of interest thing, you understand."

Diana, unaware of how she was at the moment maintaining her self control so well, replied "I want you to be clear on one thing from the very start. I have full clearance and authorization from your superior, that's right—your superior, to be here. Yes, there may be a conflict of interest, but let me tell you and you better listen good..." She rose from her seat and came within six inches of his face with her own. "This is a vendetta against me personally and an attack on a former colleague and a close friend. There is no way in hell I'm going to let you or anybody else tell me my place. You got it, Mailer?

Irving Mailer's statement was both obstinate and scornful as he met her glare without blinking. Almost like a whisper, he inquired "Is that a threat, Ms. Prince?"

"You better believe it!" Diana stormed toward the still opened doors. Teresa's eyes were like saucers, as she was no doubt wondering what was coming next.

Diana turned herself around not quite finished with the pompous weasel.

"I was assured that you would give your total cooperation. Are you going to give it or am I going to have to go over your head?" she asked nodding to the files he had called attention to earlier in the conversation.

Irving Mailer stared at the floor as if he were trying to make up his mind. Finally, picking up the stack of folders, he slowly walked them over and thrust them at her.

"I guess I have no choice."