The next day the four kids sat at breakfast. Joey kept glaring at Marc. “Not Marc, not Marc.” He repeated to himself over and over.

“Joey that’s enough of that.” Oscar scolded. Oscar found himself getting as bad as Steve. But it was one thing for Joey to declare Marc wasn’t Marc when Marc wasn’t around, but with Marc in the room that was a different story.

Alexi wasn’t paying any attention to Joey anyway. “So dad. What did you decide?” Can I go with you?”

“I think that would be just fine.” Oscar agreed.

“That’s not fair!!” Matt cried.

“Matt. You get to come another day by yourself. Ok?” Oscar told him.

Matt seemed to accept that

“Rudy do you want to stay and wait for Jaime. I have to get Dan to school. If you want to take Dan, I’ll wait “

“Go ahead. I have to wait for Steve. My car is still at the OSI, remember?”

“Oh yea that’s right. I’ll see you when you get there then.”

Roman was very surprised. Marc had slept through the entire night. ‘Maybe he is already dead.’ Strinsky thought to himself.

He reached over and took Marc’s pulse. ‘No he’s still alive.’ Strinsky thought, the drug should not have lasted this long though.’

Slowly Marc’s eyes began to open…

“I have to drop Dan off at school, then we will head on over to the office. Ok?”

Alexi was getting a little nervous. He was trying to figure out a way of getting Oscar to take him to see the Omega project. It was hard enough just getting Oscar Goldman to bring him here.

They dropped Dan off and headed for the OSI.

At Oscar’s house Steve and Jaime arrived to drop off Jaime and pick up Rudy “Hi Steve are you feeling better today?” Rudy asked when they came in the back door.

“What do you mean? I’m not sick.” Steve questioned.

“I mean do you feel better about last night?”

“No not really. I just don’t understand Joey. Why is he treating Marc that way?”

“Steve, he’s only four. Four year olds really don’t need to explain themselves. They are always saying they don’t like someone for some reason or another. You can’t take it personally.”

“Where is Marc by the way?” Steve asked when he saw that Joey and Mat were assembled in the dinning room for their lessons.

“He went with Oscar to work this morning. Then I thought I would run some tests on him this afternoon.”

Steve took off his coat and poured himself a cup of coffee in the kitchen. “I’ll be just a minute Rudy.”

He sat down at the table to drink the coffee. Rudy sat across from him.

“I guess I have time for one more cup.” Rudy said

Jaime came in from the dinning room “You two better get going, besides you disrupting my class.” She told them.

“Yea, Steve said. “We’ll go in just a moment. I have something I want to do before I take off.”

“Welcome to the land of the living, of course you won’t be there for much longer.” Strinsky said when Marc opened his eyes. He reached over to the bed side table and picked up a syringe

“Who are you?” Marc asked.

“Just a man who wants information. Information you are getting me as we speak. You see I replaced you with one of our agents who looks just like you. If all goes well he will be my source of information from now on. But you do understand you can no longer live.

Marc watched as the man plunged the needle into his right arm. “I assure you, you will feel no pain. The poison works in seconds….

Understanding what was going on Marc caught the hint. He had been on enough assignments in the past working with Steve. Marc knew exactly what to do. He closed his eyes. And didn’t move. He needed to convince this person, whoever he was, that he was dead.

Roman Strinsky assuming he was dead carried him to the trash dumpster in the back of the hotel and dumped the ‘body’ in.

“Steve, We really need to get going.” Rudy said to him. I have to get to work.” Rudy said when Steve poured himself a second cup of coffee.

“In a minute Rudy. I want to talk to Joey for just a minute.” Steve told him.

“Steve, I have to…”

“Rudy I really need to speak to Joey. I really want to apologize to him. Here you can take my car if you want.” He started to hand him the keys.

“No that’s ok. Jaime needs to have her car here. She has to take the kids to meet Oscar later. Are you really going to apologize to him?”

Steve nodded. “I’ll just be a minute.”

Steve walked into the dining room. Rudy followed. “Jaime, can I speak to Joey for a minute?”

“I don’t know. Will you be nice to him?” Jaime wondered.

“Of course I will.” Steve promised.

“Do I have to talk to him?” Joey asked. He got up from his char and hid behind Jaime. “I really don’t want to.”

“It’s ok, Joey I just want to talk to you for a minute.” Steve spoke softly to him.

Joey peeked out from behind Jaime.

“Come here son. It’s ok.” Steve urged.

Joey stepped out from behind Jaime and walked over to where Steve stood. Steve picked him up and sat him back in his chair.

Joey. I’m sorry about last night. I was just upset, that’s all.

Joey nodded his head “You’re not mad at me anymore?”

“Joey I was never really mad at you, I was mad at what you were saying. I still don’t understand why you are doing that to Marc. He is your brother.”

“I know.” Joey started. “Marc is my brother. I love Marc…”

“Well then why did you say those things last night?”

”Because he is not Marc.” Joey continued. “I don’t know who he is, but he’s not Marc.” Joey was still persistent.

“I give up!” Steve threw his hands in the air and left the dinning room.

“Come on Rudy I’ll take you in to work” Steve called from the dinning room.

“It’s about time!” Rudy complained.

“Steve, you take things to personally.” Rudy noted when they were in the car. Joey doesn’t mean anything by what he says.”

“I’m sorry Rudy. You know how I feel about Marc. To me it’s like when Joey, or anyone for that matter says unkind things to Marc, they are directing it at me.”

“I know that. I told you, you have to stop taking things so personally.” Rudy reminded. “He says things to all of us. Like I told Oscar last night. Siblings aren’t always going to get along 100% of the time.”

“I don’t understand…”

“That’s because you were an only child. You can’t understand. I was an only child too, but I had friends who had older brothers. They were always fighting.

“I don’t think that’s right Rudy. You would think that brothers and sisters would want to get along with one another”

“Well maybe it isn’t but it’s a fact. And they do get along with each other most of the time.

“So Joey didn’t really mean anything by what he said about Marc?”

“Of course not.” Rudy stated.

They pulled up in front of the OSI building. Rudy turned to Steve. “Are you coming in?”

“No I have some things to do. If you see Marc tell him I’ll see him later.”

“Yea, sure ok.” Rudy got out of the car and headed into the building.

Steve drove in the direction of Danny’s School.

“It’s about time you go here Rudy.” Oscar said when Rudy called and told him he was in the office.

“Steve had to have a talk with Joey.” Rudy informed him. “He apologized to him.”

“Well that’s good.” Oscar agreed. “How did Joey take it?”

“He still claims. No he’s adamant that Marc is not Marc. He said he loved Marc. But that Marc is not Marc.”

“I’ll have a talk with him tonight. You can join me if you want.”

“I think I will. I just don’t understand what that boy is thinking.”

After dropping Rudy off Steve drove around for a while. He was still having trouble understanding why Joey would say those things to Marc. Steve had driven around for almost fifteen minutes when he discovered he was right in front of Danny’s school. He knew Danny had a slight break at ten he was hoping to catch him. He parked his car and went inside.

“Yes Col. He is in Chemistry right now its in room 404 that’s on the fourth floor. They will be out in just a few minutes.” The secretary explained. “Then he does have about a fifteen minute break. All of the students do. They usually meet in the commons. But I think today most of them will go to the book fair.”

“I’ll just meet him outside his class room.” Steve stated.

“That’s fine sir. Go on up.”

Steve left the office and took the elevator to the fourth floor. He caught Dan just as he was getting on.

“Steve what are you doing… Is anything wrong?” Dan was almost scared that something had happened.

“No Dan nothing is wrong. I need to talk to you about something that is very important.”

“Ok I’ll go to the book fair this afternoon. Let’s go to the cafeteria. It’s on the first floor.”

They rode the elevator back down to the first floor. “This way Steve.” Danny directed.

Steve followed Danny till they came to the cafeteria. “Have a seat, can I get you a coffee of something?”

Steve pulled out a five. “Here it’s on me. Thanks.”

Danny made his way through the line, which was longer than he had thought it would be. Then he joined Steve at the table.

“What did you want to talk about?”

“You are aware of what happened last night. I just wanted to know what you thought of it.”

“Well” Danny began. “I think Joey is to young to understand the impact of what he said.” Danny explained.

“You don’t think there is more to it than that?” Steve asked.

“What are you getting at Steve? Joey is only four.” Danny reminded.

“I know that.” Steve took a sip of his coffee

“Steve” Danny finished the juice in his glass. “What are you getting at?”

“I don’t know. I just don’t know.” Steve whispered. “All I know is that I can’t get what he said out of my head. I’ve been driving around for the past thirty minutes trying to make sense of it.

“I know it bothered you. But Marc doesn’t know that Joey said it.” Danny explained.

“Well something tells me there’s more to it than that. A little voice in the back of my mind says something is not right. It’s telling me that. Something is very, very wrong.” Steve finished his coffee.

“Well I better get back to class. I don’t know what to tell you. Maybe if you started with what’s in the back of your mind and went from there it might help.” Danny stood to leave “Oh by the way here is your change.”

“Aw just keep it. You said something about a book fair?”

“Yea we are having a book fair here today. Jaime gave me some money to buy the twins some books. We had it yesterday too, but I wasn’t able to get to it.”

“Use it to buy yourself something. I’ll see you later.” Steve walked out of the cafeteria with Danny. “I have a lot of things to think about. I might run back out to your place I need to talk to Matt. I don’t know. I don’t know where I’m going with this.”

“Maybe you should tell someone what’s in the back of you mind.” Dan suggested.

“What if Joey is right Dan? What if he’s right?” Steve spoke the words slowly.

“That’s not possible. Is it?” Danny wondered.

“As a matter of fact it is Dan. I’ll see you later.”

Steve left and Danny headed for his next class.

After leaving the school Steve started out for Oscar’s house, then he heard the little voice again he changed his mind and headed for his own house. ‘I have the strangest feeling I really need to stay here at least for the remainder of the morning.’ He thought to himself.

He drove to his own house and parked his car in the driveway.

Steve sat at the kitchen table he didn’t really know what he was waiting for, but he felt something was going to happen and soon. He picked up the phone and dialed Oscar’s private number. Oscar picked up.

“Oscar its Steve. Is Marc still with you?” He asked.

“As a matter of fact he is. He’s sitting right here. Did you want to talk to him?”

“No not right now. Just tell him I’ll see him later. By the way I spoke to Joey this morning. I told him I was sorry about the way I acted last night. I want to apologize to you as well. Oscar I’m sorry for the way I treated Joey.

“Apology accepted.” Oscar told him. “I have to get back to work. I’ll talk to you later Steve.

“Yea I’ll be home the rest of the morning.” He hung up and almost kicked himself for not telling Oscar the strange thoughts that were going through his mind, but in light of all that had happened the night before, Steve thought he better wait till he had all of his facts. Or until what ever was about to happen, happened.

”Well Marc, how do you like spending the day with me?” Oscar asked after they had been at work for most of the morning.

“It’s great dad. Thanks for bringing me.” Alexi said sitting on the couch. ‘Do you ever leave. I have work to do’ Alexi thought to himself.

“I still don’t understand why you wanted to come with me today. It is rather boring. You would have a much better time at home with your brothers.”

“That may be true. But to be honest dad, I want to know every thing I can. I mean since I work for you in a way. I just want to know what goes on here.”

“Well I’m glad you’ve taken an interest.” Oscar said. “I hope Matt takes as much of an interest as you do. I want all of you boys to learn as much as you can. But you understand right now you have to have limits.

“Why? I don’t understand.” Alexi wanted to know.

“I don’t want you boys to get hurt for knowing information.” Oscar explained to him. “You see Marc the less you know the better off you are, at least till you are older.”

“I understand. I guess” Alexi said. ‘My father tells me everything that happens at the KGB.’ Alexi thought to himself. ‘You are stupid for not keeping him informed.’

“Anyway.” Oscar started as he walked over to his safe and opened it. “This is where we keep most of our top secret files. Those that are too classified go to the vault in the basement, which is where I have to go now. I won’t be very long, unless you want to come along.”

“No, I think I’ll just stay here dad if that’s ok?” Alexi said.

“That will be fine. I won’t be but a minute.” Oscar said He left the room. And to Alexi’s pleasure left the safe wide open.

The minute Oscar left the room Alexi went straight to work. He pulled the camera Strinsky had given him from his jacket pocket and snapped pictures of as many files as he could from Oscar’s files….

Marc crawled out of the dumpster that he assumed was to be his coffin and tried to figure out exactly where he was.

‘Am I still in DC’ He asked himself.

He reached out to call to Matt, and then thought better of it. He decided it best not to involve Matt in this. ‘Matt might get hurt.’

Steve had taught him a lot. Marc thought about one of the things Steve had taught him.

“Listen Marc. I want to tell you something. This will come in handy if you are ever kidnapped and you are able to escape. If you don’t know where you are, always look at the license plates. Now a lot of times they may all say something different but if the majority are from one area, that’s more than likely where you are at.”

“Ok Steve I’ll remember that one.” Marc had told him. He remembered driving around in the states that bordered Washington. Each time Steve had made him close his eyes. Then they got out of the car and Marc had to tell him where they were.

When Marc made his way out of the alley and onto the street he looked at the license plates. They all seemed to say DC on them. As he looked around he even recognized a few landmarks. ‘I am in DC’ he thought.

He thought the best thing to do would be to make is way to the OSI. He started walking up the street. The more he looked around, the more familiar things became to him. He knew what area of the City he was in, and he knew exactly where to go.

He could see he was closer to Steve’s house. He would go there first. He hoped Steve was home. ‘Whew’ Marc thought to himself. ‘The car is in the drive.’ He walked up onto the porch and rang the bell.

After what seemed forever Steve answered the door. Jaime of course was with Matt, Joey and who ever was pretending to be him

“Marc! Hey partner I thought you were with your dad. Listen buddy I’m sorry about last night, it’s just when Joey said he didn’t like you I sort of lost my cool…”

“Steve,” Marc interrupted. “That wasn’t me last night.” He proceeded to tell Steve the events of the past 48 hours.

“Marc! They actually tried to kill you?” Steve wanted to know.

Marc nodded his head. “Yea, he put the needle right here.” He pointed to the upper part of his right arm. “Good thing they didn’t put it in my other arm.” He looked up at Steve. “I think the guy was Russian. He had a Russian accent anyway.”

Again Steve looked at the boy standing next to him in clothes Marc had never worn before. His own thoughts came back to him as well as what Joey had said. “Marc I do believe you but I really need you to prove you are Marc. Can you do that?

Hearing Oscar approach Alexi put everything back as quickly as he could. He sat back on the couch where he had been sitting when Oscar left.

“See that didn’t take long did it.” Oscar sat at his desk.

“No I guess not. I hardly knew you were gone.” Alexi said then thought. ‘You should have stayed away longer. I wasn’t finished.’

“I talked to Rudy on the way back. He says anytime you’re ready you can come down for your tests.”

‘What tests?’ Alexi thought. ‘Am I supposed to respond to this? Or is it a trick? Maybe the real Marc showed up and they are trying to trick me. No that is not possible he is dead.”

“Sure Dad, I have to ask you about something though.”

“Sure Marc. What is it?”

“I wanted to know about the Omega project?” Alexi questioned.

Oscar looked at him. “How did you know about that?” He wondered

“I keep my ears open. Could I see it?” Alexi pleaded

“Why would you be interested in the Omega project?” Oscar eyed him suspiciously

“Dad, I’m interested in everything you are. Would you let me see it please?” Alexi kept pleading.

“Alright, I have to go over there anyway, you can ride a long.” Oscar stated. “Let’s go.” The two of them walked out of Oscar’s office. Oscar turned to Callahan “We will be at the building housing the Omega project.” He told her. “If anyone asks tell them I’ll be back in a little while.

“Yes Sir, no problem.” Callahan responded.

Marc looked around the room thinking for a few seconds. Then he walked over to the fireplace he picked up the steal poker “This will prove I’m Marc.” He stated as he bent the poker in half.

Steve looked at the bent poked. He shook his head. “I better fix that. Jaime is going to be most upset.” Steve said as he bent it back into shape. “In fact I better call Jaime, and see what’s going on.”

He dialed the number. Jaime answered. “Jaime its Steve. Is Marc still with Oscar?” He spoke into the phone.

“As far as I know he is.” She answered.

“Well I don’t think so. I think he’s here with me. Tell Matt to talk to Marc. No wait I have a better idea. Let’s do it this way. Write a word down on a sheet of paper; show it to Matt. Tell Matt to tell it to Marc. I just want to double check something.”

“What do you want to check Steve?” Jaime wondered. “What’s going on?

“I’ll tell you in a minute. Just do what I ask.”

“Ok, just a minute.” Jaime set the phone down. “Come here a minute Matt. Here “ She wrote down a word. I want you to think it at Marc, can you do that?”

“Sure.” Matt stated. Jaime showed him the word; Matt quickly thought it to Marc.

“Pancake?” Marc questioned. “Why would she write pancake?”

Steve shrugged his shoulders. Then spoke into the phone. “Was the word ‘pancake’?”

“Yes it was. Steve. What’s going on?”

“It’s the same story we’ve had the same thing happen to us, you with Lisa Gallaway, and me with that Johnny Dine guy. That boy that is with Oscar is not Marc. Joey was right. Listen I’ll call Oscar and let him know, then I’ll call you right back.”

“I’ll be right here, in fact I’ll get Matt and Joey ready I’ll bring them into the City.” While Jaime got Matt and Joey dressed for the cold weather Steve placed the call to Oscar.”

“Hi Steve” Callahan said when she heard his voice. “Mr. Goldman’s not here, he took Marc to see the Omega project. Do you need directions?”

“No. I know where to go.” Steve hung up the phone and called Jaime back.

“Jaime you have to hurry. Oscar has taken the kid who says he’s Marc to the Omega project. From what Marc tells me the people who are behind this are Soviets. They tried to kill him. I might need your help.” He gave her the address and told her to meet them there.

“I’ll be there as quick as I can Steve.” Jaime said. “They really tried to kill him?” Jaime asked.

“Yea with some kind of poison they injected into his right arm thank goodness. I’m just glad they didn’t get hold of Matt by mistake I’ll tell you all about it when I see you.”

“Ok Steve look, we are all ready we’re on our way right now. I’ll meet you at the building with the Omega project.”

“That sounds great. Marc and I are on out way too. I just hope Oscar doesn’t get hurt. I hope we get there before the Russians do.” Steve told her.

“Me to. Maybe I should drop the other kids at Minnie’s I don’t want them to get hurt.”

“There is no time, and we may need Matt.” Steve explained. “I’ll see you soon.”

Steve and Marc left Steve’s house and got in the car.”

“So what do you think Marc?” Oscar asked as the toured the building.

“It is very interesting dad.” Alexi stated. As quickly as his mind could it was taking note of everything. “Thanks for bringing me.”

“That’s ok. You had to see it sometime. I just didn’t think you would be interested in it at the age of eight.”

“I told you dad. I’m interested in everything you are. Especially where the OSI is concerned.”

“Well that about concludes the tour. Come on Rudy is waiting for you. We better get going.”

They started out of the building.

“Steve. Is there trouble?” Marc asked as he and Steve drove toward the building where the Omega project was being kept.

“Nothing I can’t handle partner.” Steve assured.

“Steve, I’m scared what is going on?”

“Marc someone wants to find out… I guess I should say the Russians wanted to find out about things that go on at the OSI.” Steve tried to explain. “So they preformed plastic surgery on one of their own and replaced you with him. Then to cover their tracks they tried to kill you ”

“That really makes me mad. Then it makes me look like I’m bad.” Marc complained.

“That’s right. But what’s worse is that they could hurt you dad and brothers.”

“We can’t let that happen Steve. “

“Don’t worry son I’m not going to let that happen. It’s ok we’re there.” Steve told him as he pulled up to the curb.

Oscar and Alexi were just coming out of the building housing the Omega project when Steve pulled up to the curb. Steve got out of the car, and Marc got out of the backseat.

Oscar looked from Steve to Marc to the boy standing beside him. He was just going to ask Steve what was going on when Jaime pulled up behind Steve. Jaime Matt and Joey got out of Jaime’s car. Then what Joey had said the night before came flooding back to him. ‘He only looks like Marc. But he’s not him.’ Oscar looked back at the boy standing next to him.

Alexi appraised the situation then took off. He ran out into the street into the path of an oncoming car. The car slammed into him. Knocking him unconscious….

Everyone ran to the boy lying unconscious on the street. The driver jumped out of the car. He looked at Marc, Matt and the boy lying unconscious. “I’m sorry I couldn’t avoid it. He ran right out in front of me.” He cried. He assumed the three boys were triplets.

“I saw.” Oscar assured him “It was just an accident.”

Marc and Matt looked at Oscar. “Dad, who is he.” Marc questioned.

Oscar continued to look at the twins. “I don’t know.” He said.

“WHAT IS GOING ON?” MARC ASKED MATT. IN THE GIBBERISH ONLY THE TWO OF THEM COULD UNDERSTAND.

“I W WAS H HOPING YOU C COULD T TELL ME.” MATT REPLIED THE SAME WAY.

Oscar breathed a sigh of relief “You don’t know how happy I am to hear the two of you talking to each other that way.” Oscar smiled. “Now I know you are Marc and Matt.”

They transferred the unconscious boy to Rudy’s lab. “I want everything you can get on him Rudy. Start with his fingerprints.” Oscar ordered.

Oscar turned to Marc “Don’t worry son. I’m going to find out who he is.”

I’m going to find out too.” Marc stated.

“Oh no your not!” Oscar ordered.

“Why not dad?” Marc wanted to know.

“Marc it’s to dangerous.” Oscar explained as he took the results of the fingerprints from Rudy.

“Look dad, if he can impersonate me, why can’t I impersonate him?”

“I’ll be right with him Oscar.” Steve assured.

“I don’t know Steve. We sent the fingerprints to Interpol. Rudy just gave me the results. His name was Alexi Dimetree. He’s the son of Ivan Dimetree the head of the KGB. I don’t know if I want Marc mixed up in this or not.”

“Oscar my word. I won’t let him out of my sight. I promise.” Steve said.

“Ok, ok I’m out numbered. But if he gets in any trouble, you get him out of there and fast.” Oscar ordered.

“I will.” Steve promised

“Do we have anything we can go by?” Oscar asked

“Why don’t we start at the hotel he took me to?” Marc suggested.

“Sounds like a very good start.” Steve agreed. He and Marc started to leave Oscar’s office as Russ was coming in.

“What is it Russ?” Oscar asked.

“We finished developing the film we found on him.” He handed the pictures to Oscar.

Oscar looked through them. “I just hope he wasn’t able to get any of it to his contact before we caught him.” He sighed as he saw what was in the pictures.

“Ok you two you’re on. Just don’t let him out of your sight Steve.”

Steve and Marc were on their way to the hotel. “Are you sure you remember where to go?” Steve questioned when the got into the car.

“From your house I know exactly where to go.” Marc told him.

Steve drove the direction that Marc told him to go. They arrived at the hotel. “That’s him Steve that’s the guy who tried to kill me.” Marc pointed to Roman.

“Marc you’re off the case.” He turned to the boy “No argument I mean it.” Steve reached for his car phone. “Oscar. Roman Strinsky is involved in this. I’m bringing Marc back now.”

“That’s fine Steve. I know about Strinsky he’s too dangerous for Marc to handle. I don’t know if I even want you involved Strinsky is Boris Dimetree’s number one man. I think I want you both to get out of there.”

Marc grabbed the phone from Steve.

”Dad, I’m doing this with or without Steve’s help. This guy tried to kill me. What if he had gotten Matt instead of me? Matt would be dead. I want to be the one to clean this guys clock.” Marc hung up the phone. “Let’s go Steve.”

“Did your dad say it was ok?” Steve asked looking at Marc.

“No he didn’t but if you and him think I’m going to let, what did you say his name was? Strinsky? Get away with it…”

“Ok, ok. We’ll take care of it.” Steve said.

“Right partner let’s go. I’ll go on up. You just stay in the lobby. If I need you, I’ll holler.”

“No way Marc…”

“Steve I have to do it on my own. He tried to kill me I sort of take that personally. You see when he injected me with the poison he put it in my right arm. If he had taken Matt, Matt would be dead. And that ticks me off.”

“You be careful, if anything happened to you, your father would never forgive me.”

Marc went into the hotel and rode the elevator up to the floor he had been on. He went to the room and knocked. Strinsky opened the door. “Alexi what are you doing here?”

“I need to see you Strinsky.” Marc tried his best to use a Russian accent.

“We were not to meet until Saturday. “ Roman said.

“I wanted you to know, I saw the Omega project today. Trust me it’s not worth it.” Marc told him.

After Marc had hung up on him and knowing the way Steve was Oscar decided to get his team together. They caught up to Steve in the lobby.

“Where’s Marc?” Oscar demanded

“He went up to talk to Strinsky.” Steve explained.

“You said you wouldn’t let him…” Oscar started

“Oscar I couldn’t very well go with him. Look I’ve taught Marc pretty good. He can handle it.”

“You better be right pal. How long has he been gone?”

Steve looked at his watch “Only about ten minutes.” He answered.

Up in the hotel room Marc was trying to get Strinsky to come down to the lobby with him.

“What I have is very important.” Marc told him.

“Well ok I’ll come down. But this better be good.” Strinsky stated.

He followed Marc down to the lobby. Marc had it all planed he only hoped Steve would pick up on it. He was surprised to see his dad and Russ and an entire OSI security task force in the lobby.

Marc ignored them and led Strinsky to the door. As he did he gave a slight glance to Steve and gave him a nod. Steve signaled the rest of his men and within seconds they had Strinsky in custody.

Marc stood by Steve. Oscar walked over to them. “Marc, are you Marc. How will I know if you are Marc or not.”

“Well. “ Marc smiled “when I come down to breakfast in the morning you can kick me in the shin, and if I yell, it’s not me.”

They walked out to Steve’s car and headed back to the OSI.

Jaime, Rudy and the other kids were waiting. “Is everything alright?” Jaime asked

“I think so. The roll of film we got was the only one. So that’s a good thing.” Oscar said. “My only question is how did Joey know Alexi wasn’t Marc?”

“I might just have the answer you’re looking for. “ Rudy said. “Kids Joey’s age live in sort of a different plain than we do. They are able to see the ‘real’ you, so to speak. I guess Joey saw through Alexi. I mean you know you can’t lie to a kid they are able to see the real you. I guess that’s what happened.”

Rudy then turned to Steve. “How are you doing, you see Joey wasn’t that far off base.” He explained.

...Continued