"What's it look like to you. Liz?" Hood asked.

"Nothing's ever open and shut in my end of the business, but this looks as close to it as vou're going to get--"

Bugs beeped.

"What is it?"

"Urgent call on the secure line from Director Yung-Hoon at the KCIA."

"Thanks." Hood hit the lighted button. "This is Paul Hood."

"Director Hood," said Yung-Hoon. "I've just received a most interesting radio message from the North Korean spy whom Kim Hwan was with tonight. She says he asked her to radio the North and find out about a theft of boots and explosives from anywhere in the DPRK."

Herbert snapped his fingers and caught Hood's eye. "That was the broadcast Rachel called me about in your office," Herbert whispered.

Hood nodded. He covered his right ear to block out Liz's typing on the keyboard. "What did the North Koreans say, Mr. Yung-Hoon?"

"That several boots, explosives, and handguns were taken from a truck en route to the depot in Koksan four weeks ago."

"They radioed this information to her, and then she told you?"

"That's right. It's very strange, because after she brought Hwan to National University Hospital, she stole a car and left. We're looking for her now."

"Is there anything else, sir?"

"No. Hwan is still in surgery."

"Thanks. I'll be in touch-- we may have something."

Reconnoitering in the North, Hood thought. He hung up the phone. "Bob, check with General Sam and find out if our friend Lee was doing any reconnoitering in the North four weeks ago."

"Of course," Herbert said. He wheeled himself from the office with enthusiasm Hood had never before seen.

Liz Gordon was looking at the computer. "You know, Paul, I think that if there is a plot, this Colonel Sun may be involved as well."

"Why?"

"I just had Sun's file sent over. It says that he doesn't delegate authority."

"So Lee is on a tight leash?"

"Quite the contrary. Sun doesn't appear to have much to do with Lee's operation."

"Which means that he may not be involved--"

"Or that his trust in Lee is so complete he doesn't need to oversee him."

"That sounds like a reach to me--"

"It isn't. It's classic when two people are on the same wavelength. It's a textbook symbiotic relationship for a hands-on type of officer like Sun."

"All right. I'll have Bob check on Sun's whereabouts as well." Hood looked at the countdown clock, then at the partly eaten salad by his elbow. He picked up a piece of warm carrot and started chewing on it. "You know, it took us nearly ten hours to pick up our first real lead, and we needed help from a North Korean spy just to get that. What does that tell you about our operation?"

"That we're still learning."

"I don't buy that. We missed things along the way. We should have contacted the North about a theft. There should have been a channel of communications for that. We also should have had a file on the separatist South Koreans."