“Now Daniel.” Rustam said. “Please to sit down. We have much to talk about.”

“I won’t work or you.” Danny stated matter-of-factly “So don’t even count on it. I will not do that.

“We are going to make you an offer you can’t refuse.” Rustam indicated. Trust me. You will like what we offer.

“That’s what your friend here said.” Danny pointed to Dimetree. “Am I to assume you are Alexi Dimetree’s father?”

“Your brother was right you are a very clever boy.” Dimetree pointed out. “That would be correct.”

“Then I am also to assume that the boy that led me to you was not my brother Marc, but your son Alexi?”

“Again you would assume right.” Dimetree stated. “Now for the offer. We are willing to double whatever Dr. Wells is paying you to work for him…”

“Excuse me.” Danny interrupted. “Me work for Dr. Wells. Yea right I wish. I don’t work for him”

Rustam looked at him. “Are you sure? You don’t have an office at the OSI?”

“If that’s what you want to call it. I have a room where I do my homework. That’s all. I’m lucky I have that. I think it was once a broom closet. In fact it’s smaller that a broom closet.”

Rustam and Dimetree looked at on another.

Then Rustam turned to Danny “We heard that not only do you work for Dr. Wells. You have your own office there as well.”

Danny shrugged “Well if that’s what you want to believe…”

“I don’t believe you, we will get the truth out of you.”

“What, you have ways of making me talk?”

“I have it from very reliable source that you do.” Rustam pointed out.

“Well you source is wrong!” Danny complained “Are you calling my son a liar?” Dimetree demanded.

“Where could he be Steve? We searched the entire grounds last night. There isn’t even a trace of him anywhere. It’s like someone came down from the sky and just plucked him out of here.”

“I’m going to go look,” Steve pointed to his eye. “I have more of an eye for detail than you do. I think the twins will be safe enough.” Steve walked out the back door he went through the garage and down the driveway.

He scanned the entire area. Then he looked across the road. ‘That’s strange’ he thought to himself. ‘Why would there be tire tacks over there?’ He jogged across the road to the clump of trees where Dimetree had hid for hours two days before while he waited for Alexi to emerge with Marc.

He searched the entire area. He bent over and picked up the branch that Ivan had used to strike Dan on the back of the head. He picked it up and started back for the house.

While Steve was scanning the area

Oscar sat at the table with Jaime and Rudy. He had a plate of eggs in front of him but had not yet started to eat.

“I don’t get it Jaime. Dan would never run away. He’s to smart for that. Who has him?” His grandmother, and if she does, then how soon till she takes the rest of the kids?”

“I don’t think that’s the answer Oscar.” Rudy spoke up. I have a pretty good idea it has something to do with the fact that Strinsky and Dimetree are at large.”

Oscar turned to Jaime. “Is that what you think?”

“I don’t know what I think.”

While Steve was searching and the grownup were talking, Matt decided to take matters into his own hands. He decided it was time to test the waters. Marc and Matt had reached an agreement they would try talking to each other when they woke up in the morning and before they went to bed. Matt had forgotten this morning. He turned to Marc.

“HEY LITTLE B BROTHER, WHERE D DO YOU THIMK D DANNY C COULD B BE?” Matt asked.

Alexi gave him a strange look. “Want to run that one by me again?”

“Oh nothing. Say I’m thirsty do you want some juice?”

“Yea I’m thirsty myself. Let’s go get some.” Alexi said…

“No that’s ok Marc you stay here. Joey and I will go. Joey, want to help?” Joey nodded. Matt knew better than to leave Joey at the mercy of this kid pretending to be Marc. “We’ll be right back.”

“Ok.” Alexi said.

I’m not saying he’s a liar” Danny defended. “He was misinformed. Or he took it the wrong way.”

“I don’t get you meaning.” Dimetree said. You say you do not have an office at the OSI?”

“That’s what I said. I have a small office across the hall from Rudy. I also have one in the basement at home. It is a place I go to get away from my brothers and do my homework in peace and quiet.”

“That is all?” Rustam questioned.

“That’s all.” Danny replied.

“Dr. Wells does not pay you to work for him. You do not receive money?”

“I wish.” Danny let out a low whistle.

Once again Dimetree and Rustam looked at one another.

Dimetree looked at Danny. “I still do not believe you.”

“Well you better start. “ Danny declared

“Better start what “ Rustam demanded.

“You better start believing me.” Dan proclaimed.

“Why should we believe you?” Rustam drilled.

“Well for starters I’m telling you the truth.”

“Some how I doubt that.” Rustam stated.

“Well believe what you want then.” Dan sighed.

“Well regardless if you speak the truth or not. I still want you to work for us. If you don’t work for Dr. Wells then I think you will like our offer. We will pay you to work for us.” Rustam stated. “You can write your own ticket.”

Danny looked at them in disbelief.

Matt was coming down the stairs as Steve was coming in the back door.”

“Dad” Matt called.

“Oscar!” Steve called.

They both started talking at once. “Please, please I’m getting dizzy. One at a time.”

“Oscar “ Steve jumped in a split second before Matt. “I found something outside. You only checked the grounds right?”

Oscar nodded.

“Well across the road in the clump of trees? There were tire imprints. They had been there for a long time. I mean the car must have set there for a long time.” Steve told him “And I found this.” He handed Oscar the branch that was covered in blood.”

“Danny’s?” Oscar looked at him.

“That’s what I am assuming. I’ll have Rudy check the blood type. But I’m sure it will prove to be Danny’s”

Matt was about to have a fit. “Yes Matt what is it?” Oscar asked. Feeling that what Matt had to say wasn’t relevant to the situation He looked at Steve “I’ll be right with you.”

“Dad that kid upstairs who says he’s Marc isn’t.” Matt informed them.

“How do you know Matt?” Steve asked.

“I just tried talking to him. We made a deal that we would ask a question before we went to bed, and when we got up. I forgot this morning and after Dan disappeared I figured the two might go together.”

“Ok” Oscar all but shouted. “I want you and Joey out of here. I know who has Danny. The soviets. Alexi must have mentioned Dan’s intelligence…”

“Rudy will take them with him to the OSI.” Steve related. “I’ll have Jaime meet them there.”

“That sounds like and excellent idea.” Oscar agreed. “I’ll stay here with you.”

“I would rather you leave to Oscar, but I think you’ll be ok as long as I’m with you. But I want the little ones out of here.

Danny looked up at Rustam. “How much? How much will you pay me?”

You can write your own ticket so to speak.” Dimetree explained.

“I’m not going to make any choice until I see my brother.” Danny threatened.

“We can arrange that.” Rustam said. “Dimetree, take him to his brother.”

“Sure Boris.” Ivan turned to Danny. “This way.” He led Danny down a small hallway that was away from everything else. “He is in here.” Ivan opened the door. “You can stay in there with him till you are ready to give us your answer. We are not asking you to leave your family. You can return to them. You would just work for them and us. And might I say, you would be a fool to pass this offer up. We are always looking for bright boys such as yourself”

“You mean you want me to be a double agent?” Danny turned as Ivan slammed the door.

Danny walked over to Marc. “Are you ok?” Marc nodded. “Call out to Matt, tell him where we are.” Danny told him.

“I’m scared Dan I don’t know if I can.” Marc started crying. Danny held him tight.

“You have to tell them where we are. They don’t know that Alexi is back.”

“I’m sure they do by now. Matt and I made a deal to talk to each other at least twice a day. Once in the morning, and once at night, Matt will know it’s not me.”

“But they need to know where we are, so they can come get us.” Danny explained.

“Ok I’ll try.” Marc said. “I’m afraid to involve Matt what if they hurt him too?”

“Marc. Steve is at the house remember, he is staying with us till this mess is cleared up.

Marc smiled “Oh yea, that’s right.

“I want you to stay there with Jaime until we give you the all clear signal.” Steve told Rudy as he started to leave with Joey and Matt.

“You know there could be trouble if the Russians have them. Marc and Danny may not be the same.” Rudy informed them.

“I’m all to aware of that.” Oscar sighed. “I just want them home, then I’ll deal with what ever needs to be dealt with.”

After Rudy left Oscar went to the bottom of the steps. “Marc, could you come down here for a moment please.”

Alexi started down the steps, when he got to the bottom Steve grabbed him. “All right Alexi. Where are Marc and Danny?” Steve demanded shaking him. “You tell me and you tell me now. Where are they?”

Alexi tried to get away. But when he couldn’t he gave up. “Wherever they are I’m sure the are dead by now” he laughed.

In the locked room at the Soviet embassy, Marc reached out and called for Matt.

“Matt, Matt.” He called. “Matt, can you hear me?” Marc continued to call

“I hear you little brother. Where are you?”

“I don’t know. Just a minute.” He turned to Dan. “Dan where are we?”

“Tell them we are at the Soviet Embassy.” Dan told him.

“We are at the Soviet Embassy. Tell dad and Steve to hurr!”

“Ok I will.” Matt promised. “Is Dan with you?”

“Yes and he is all right. Just tell everybody to hurry!!”

While Matt, was ‘talking’ to Marc. Rudy was on the phone with Oscar. ‘Bad news Oscar the blood on the tree branch is Danny’s” He informed him,

“I was afraid you were going to tell me that.” Oscar sighed. “Listen, we are on our way into the City. We have to take care of Alexi.”

“Ok Oscar, I’ll see you in just a bit. Hang on just as second.” Rudy put his hand over the phone. “What is it Matt?”

“Rudy. Tell dad and Steve that Marc was just talking to me. Tell them he and Dan are being held at the Soviet Embassy. They are all right for now but they have to hurry.”

Rudy turned back to the phone.

“Rudy,” Oscar said before Rudy could speak. “I heard everything we are on our way.”

“Ok Oscar we’ll see you when you get here.” Rudy said as Oscar hung up.

Oscar turned to Steve. “They are being held at the Soviet Embassy.” Oscar told him.”

“How did you find out? Wait, you don’t need to answer. Matt right.”

“Yes, Marc called out to Matt. He told us to hurry.” Oscar grabbed his coat.

”Then what are we waiting for?” Steve asked grabbing his own coat.

Marc and Danny sat in the locked room. The door opened and Dimetree walked in. “So Daniel, are you ready to decide what you want to do? You said if we let you talk to your brother you would decide one way or another.”

“Yes I have decided. The answer is no. I will not work for you in any way.”

“That is to bad. You could have the best of both worlds.” Dimetree continued. “I’m afraid you leave us with no choice. I want you to come with me.”

“No!” Marc cried. He doubled up his fist.

‘No Marc take it easy.’ Dan whispered so only Marc could hear. ‘I’ll be ok I’m sure Steve is on his way.’

Dimetree walked over to Marc. “Do you want to hit me Marc?”

“No sir.” Marc spoke just above a whisper

“You sit down then, you are lucky we have let you live this long, you are of no use to us.” He pushed Marc down on the floor.

‘Take it easy Marc, don’t let them know how strong you really are.’ Danny warned.

Marc nodded and stayed on the ground.

Dimetree turned to Danny “Now you will come with us.”

Danny followed him out of the room Dimetree locked the door and led Danny down the hall.

Dan turned and again saw the three-armed men behind him. “I see you haven’t lost your friends.” He commented.

“We want you to cooperate with us.” Dimetree explained as they stopped in front of a door. Dimetree opened a door and pointed for Danny to enter.

Danny stepped into the room “We will let you go, but we need to talk to you first. Dimetree explained. “Please to be seated.” Dimetree indicated an empty chair.

Danny sat in the chair across from Dimetree. “Now Daniel we are going to give you one more chance to cooperate with us.”

Dan looked at him and scowled. “I have been honest with you Dimetree.”

“I don’t believe you have.” Dimetree tossed a small leather case onto the desk in front of Danny.

Danny knew within an instant what it was. He didn’t even need to feel his back pocket. It was his OSI ID.

“Where did you get that?” Dan questioned.

“It was in your back pocket when we brought you here. Now do you still insist you do not work for the OSI and Dr. Wells?”

“So? It doesn’t mean anything.” Dan was having a hard time convincing himself.

“Why does a twelve year old boy have an OSI ID with a security six clearance?” Dimetree demanded.

Dan shouted, “It just gains me access to my father’s office! And that’s it!”

“I do not believe you.” Dimetree smirked. He pulled out a small board with colored lights on it Danny could tell they were more than likely colored as he could tell they were different shades.

Dimetree considered himself an expert in this field. He started the lights flashing. “Now Daniel, just watch the lights. Watch the colors go round and round. Dan knew the drill he pretended to get sleepy.

“Just keep watching, now listen Danny. You will do what we ask, when we ask. You will continue to work for the OSI but you will give all the information you discover you will turn it over to us. Do you understand?”

“Yes I do.” Danny pretended to be in a trance. “I will give you all information I come up with.” Dan had to bite his lip to keep from laughting.

“I have some questions for you. Why do you have a security six clearance with OSI.”

“Simple I need to get to my dad’s office sometime. Just because it says I have s six clearance doesn’t give me access to anything but the front of my father’s desk.” ‘Boy your good Danny I just hope this creep falls for it.’ Dan thought to himself….

At that moment, Oscar was meeting with Ambassador Rustam in his office.

“What can I do for you Mr. Goldman?” Rustam asked.

“To start with you can give me my sons, Danny and Marc. I know you have them here.” Oscar all but shouted.

“Calm down Oscar, we are bringing them to you as we speak. You have Alexi I presume?”

“You presume right. I will turn Alexi back over to you. I will also drop all charges including those of kidnapping my children as long as Dimetree and Alexi are out of the country by nightfall. I will see them on the plane myself.”

“Yes, yes. I agree to your terms.” Rustam stated He just wanted to get Alexi back. He didn’t want the OSI to have him any longer than necessary.

‘This is to simple.’ Oscar thought to himself.

The door to Rustam’s off ice opened. Oscar ran to Marc and Danny. “Are you boys alight?”

“Not so fast Oscar we want Alexi.” Dimetree shut the door but continued to hold tightly to Marc and Danny.

“He’s on his way in right now. Col. Austin is escorting him in.” Oscar informed.

Again the door opened. Alexi and Steve stepped in.

Ivan ran to him. “Are you alright?”

“Yes father.” Alexi admitted.

Oscar and Steve left, Steve holding tight to Marc, and Oscar held tightly to Danny.

“I still say that was to easy,” Oscar stated.

“There is a reason for that dad.” Dan started. “I’ll tell you all about when we get in the car.” Dan whispered as they walked down the hall.

“They didn’t find out about Marc did they?” Steve said as the all got into the car. Steve had to sit in the back with Marc, so Dan sat in the front with Oscar.

“No not that I know about anyway. They wanted me. Well what they really want is information. That was their main purpose for creating Alexi to look like Marc. Well that failed, twice. So they decided to get it in a different way. They want me to give it to them.”

Oscar turned to Danny “Now why do they think you’ll give it to them?” He asked

“Simple, they think I’m on their side.” Danny told him.

“What makes them think you are on their side?” Steve wanted to know. Marc had fallen asleep with his head on Steve’s shoulder.

“They tried to hypnotize me.” Dan told him.

“What do you mean tried?” Oscar asked. “Oh they used the color wheel, right?”

“No they actually used some flashing colored lights. I just played along. Do you have any phony documents I can pass on?”

Oscar laughed. “I’m sure I can come up with something.” He got on the car phone and told Rudy and Jaime to meet back at his house.”

When they pulled into the drive Rudy’s car wasn’t the only one parked in the drive.

“Oh great!” Steve cried out. “Gregory.”

They got out of the car. “I see you got the children back. I promise Oscar just a few questions.” Gregory said when he met them at the door.

“Just Danny for now, and as long as he doesn’t get asthma. Rudy needs to be with you.”

“Agreed” Gregory said. “May we use you office?”

“Very well.” Oscar said.

Gregory, Dan and Rudy went into Oscar’s office. “Now Dan. Do you want to tell me exactly what happened?”

“Well nothing really. They wanted me to work for them. They think I agreed to.”

“What gives them that idea?” Gregory asked.

“They tried to hypnotize me.” Dan explained. “But they couldn’t succeed “

“Why is that?” Gregory demanded.

“I think I can answer that one.” Rudy jumped in. “Danny is color blind. The soviets used to use that silly color wheel. But according to Dan They have resorted to a new tactic the colored lights. I tell you it doesn’t work on someone who can’t see colors.”

“I understand.” Gregory gave a slight smile. “But what happens when you don’t deliver the ‘goods’ so to speak?”

“Dad said we would use fake ones.” Danny explained.

“What about Marc. I want to talk to him, but I really don’t want to upset him.” Gregory said.

“Well he’s sleeping now.’ Rudy informed him “I don’t think they would do anything like that to Marc…”

“What makes you so sure?” Gregory wanted to know.

“Simple. Marc served his purpose by having him out of the way and getting Alexi to replace him.”

“I understand. I guess. “ Gregory sighed.

“Anyway we will keep a close watch on him for the next few weeks.” Oscar said.

They all turned to the door that opened. “Is he still asleep Steve?” Rudy asked.

“Yea, I don’t think he slept much.” Steve pointed out. “But I think he’ll be all right”

TWO WEEKS LATER.

“So how is Marc doing?” Steve asked when he dropped by after returning from assignment.

“Well the nightmares are all but gone. Its funny, the nightmares were not about him, they were about Matt. But he is much better.”

“That’s great! Steve surmised. “How’s Danny?” Steve pressed.

“He’s great.” Rudy fielded this question “He’s going to be just fine.”

“Well that’s good.” Steve breathed a sight of relief.

“What about the trouble with the Soviets? They haven’t bothered Danny?”

“There we do have a problem. Since they think Dan agreed to work with them. They follow him everywhere.”

“Maybe I can do something to stop that.” Steve wondered.

“I don’t know. We have given Danny fake documents to pass on to them, but I fear they are on to us. I don’t know what you can do.”

“Well maybe I can get them away from Dan.” Steve stated.

“Gregory follows him to. He’s afraid that Dan will sell out.” Oscar explained.

“Sell out?” Steve questioned “That Gregory never give up does he?”

“No I guess he doesn’t “ Oscar agreed.

At that moment the twins burst through the back door from playing outside. “I thought that was your car in the drive Steve.” Marc exclaimed. “When did you get back?”

“Just a little while ago partner. How are you doing?”

“I’m fine Steve. Matt and I are building a club house.” Marc told him.

“Not in that old shed.” Oscar pointed out. I don’t think its safe.”

“No dad, not in the shed. Don’t worry.” He elbowed Matt and the two of them ran off to play.

“Well it looks like everything is back to normal around here.” Steve noted.

“If you can call anything that goes on in this house normal. I guess your right Steve.” Oscar finished He watched through the window as Marc and Matt ran off to build their clubhouse.