Nancy automatically hit the "play" button on her answering machine when she got to the kitchen. A couple hang-ups and a message from Tom Barnett. His message told her about the Ambassador and his visit to the Chronicle building. She knew immediately that he was connected to Roger's abduction and therefore Talisent. But then she felt something else. Something more ominous and urgent than a complex conspiracy. Someone else was in the apartment and nearby! The reflex action to stiffen her posture telegraphed the fear she felt across the room. The Ambassador switched on a lamp in the adjoining living room. He gave her the textbook opening line: "No reason to be alarmed, Ms. McGill."

He was there primarily to deliver a simple message for Spike, an invitation to a chat room discussion with Talisent. But the Ambassador also hoped to make some progress in gaining Nancy's assistance with Spike. That's why he came in person. Having just been given a rather dubious introduction by Tom Barnett's recorded voice, the Ambassador was starting out from a tough spot. On top of that, Nancy was feeling pretty cranky after a long, and ultimately, disappointing day.

After getting over her initial fright, Nancy started in on him with the issues that, for her, were key to understanding the situation. What is his relationship with Talisent? What do they really want with Spike Webb? Who does he work for? What about the warehouse in Emeryville? Her mind was on auto-pilot and it wasn't letting her down. These were the questions that would not be answered by the Ambassador for "security" reasons. They were also the unanswered questions that would keep Nancy from trusting him. Much as Tom Barnett had done early that same day, Nancy made her position on the issue quite clear.

The Ambassador quickly gave up his effort to gain Nancy's cooperation through implied meanings and authoritative positioning. He would settle for delivering his message and departing with an understanding for the type of relationship that existed between Nancy and Spike. This information was knowledge he had not expected to gain and which Nancy did not realize she had divulged.

As soon as she was alone, Nancy left a message for Spike on the MicroLabs voice-mail system. She wished she was able to go without sleep like Spike, but could wait no longer.




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