When Dale had returned to his own office and shut the door softly behind him, he stood for several minutes with his hand still on the knob staring at the telephone on his desk. He wasn't sure if making this call was the right thing to do. After all, if he didn't receive the answer he was looking for, there could be some serious consequences in store.

He really didn't know what else to do. All investigations so far had hit a brick wall and so there remained only one other way he could think of to retrieve the information he needed.

Ronald Hathaway recently retired as the Senior Director of the oversees division of the IADC. Dale had met Ron sixteen years ago at an anniversary party thrown for Senator Conger and his wife, Ingrid. They had formed an instant friendship and over the years had stayed in contact rather well, making visits here and there to one another's homes. Mostly their contact was through telephone calls. But lately, the correspondence had slacked off and Dale suddenly realized that it had been almost eight months since he had last spoken to either Ron or Sarah, his wife. That was when Dale had let them know that he would be unable to make the retirement party being thrown for Ron in London.

If anyone could help him, Dale decided, it was Ron. And he knew he could trust him to do it in a discreet manner.

Glancing over at the clock to make sure it was a convenient time, Dale sighed heavily and placed his call to London.

A small, meek voice answered after several rings.

"Hello, Sarah! It's Dale... how are you?"

"Oh, it's so lovely to hear from you!"

Dale heard Ron's voice in the background inquiring as to who the call was from and Sarah called back that it was Dale.

Dale grinned when he heard Ron yell, "It's about time that old dog called. It was his turn, you know?"

"Oh, don't mind him! He's been ornery as the Devil himself, since his hip replacement", Sarah said.

Dale felt bad. He hadn't known he'd had surgery.

"When did this happen?" Dale asked.

"Well, let's see... it's been almost three months ago. Oh, he's doing fine now. There's just a lot of discomfort still for him and it's slowed him down a little. Well, you were aware of the problems he had been having with his right hip. His doctor had been after him for a long time to go ahead with the surgery, but you know how stubborn Ron can be!"

Dale laughed. "Yes, I certainly do!"

"Well, I'm just running on and on. I'm going to let you talk to him yourself. See if you can't get him to cheer up a bit- he's been such a grouch here lately!"

"I'll try", he promised.

Dale heard a brief and muffled interchange between the two before the phone was passed over. No doubt, Ron was scolding his wife for what she had just said!

"Hey, you ol' dog! What have you been up to? You've managed to miss all the excitement around here the past couple of months!"

"I am really sorry I haven't called before now. I had no idea you had the hip surgery..." Dale apologized.

"Yeah well, it's not as big a deal as some would make it out to be... And in case you didn't catch on, that was directed to little Sarah "Nightingale" over there! But, I completely understand. Remember, I have been where you are. The job is sometimes all consuming and leaves you very little room for a personal life. That was always Sarah's biggest complaint. ‘We never do anything socially other than things somehow tied to your work.‘" He tried to mimic his wife's voice.

He continued: "So, there is no need to apologize. It's not like we exactly called you either to let you know. So, what's going on at the IADC these days?"

"Oh, not too much other than the usual. I have run into a very perplexing situation, though, that I thought I'd run by you. Maybe, get your opinion and even your help, if it were possible..."

"Alright, I'm listening..." He heard Ron take on his "all business" tone.

"It concerns one of our agents. A Diana Prince. I don't think you've had the pleasure of meeting her. I think sometimes she should be running the show, that's how good she is. Very intelligent and very... well, attractive."

Dale wasn't sure why he had added the latter description. He hoped that it didn't make him a sexist pig, the fact that he always thought of that first in regards to Diana.

"Oh, you didn't mention this was a personal problem..."

Dale instantly knew what his friend was thinking and quickly defended himself.

"No, no... it's nothing like that. I have come to grips with the fact that I am a permanent bachelor! No, it has to do with her file... her background or lack thereof."

Ron replied: "I don't understand. Her background? Her file? What about them?"

Dale searched for the right place to start the story and decided it was best to go back to the beginning and recount how Diana had come to work under him in Los Angeles. When he had finished, he heard what sounded like heavy, ponderous breathing on the other end.

"So, has anything happened that has prompted you to start an investigation now? Any unprofessional or suspicious behavior on her part?"

"No, none at all. That's why I'm in such a spot. I feel there has to be some logical explanation why there is nothing there in her file. But at the same time I am afraid that what I find might not be so logical after all. What if this becomes a matter involving breach of security. Her job, my job and the jobs of several others are in danger. All over something that could have been left alone to begin with. I have no reason whatsoever based on her performance as an employee to pursue this. Up until now it has only been a matter of my own curiosity. You understand where I am coming from?"

"Yes, completely. What would you like me to do?"

Dale had always appreciated the way his friend always got the point.

"Her file says she worked in the oversees division three years prior to coming to Washington. Obviously, by your response to this whole thing, you have never heard of her?"

Ron pondered the question before he answered.

"Well, no, but that could be for several reasons... One, just because it says oversees division doesn't mean she was assigned here naturally. And two, it would depend upon her level and rank at the time. I think it's safe to assume that she was promoted at some point since leaving ‘oversees‘, right? What I'll do is make a couple of calls myself first thing tomorrow and ask around. Give me a week to pursue this to the limit and I'll let you know what I am able to find out, okay? Just sit tight until you hear from me. Does anyone else know of this so far?"

"Just one other person whose curiosity was getting the better of him, too." Dale replied.

"Well, keep it that way and make sure you have an understanding with this other chap..."

"Will do and thanks, Ron. As always, I owe you."

"You don't owe me anything... but a phone call every now and again! And it wouldn‘t hurt to actually see you again before my wife kills me!"

When Dale hung up, he had to admit that he felt much better. But still, there was a nagging doubt in the back of his mind that this had the potential of being a situation that could blow up in his face...