Burns suddenly spoke in a loud voice, "He's gone! He hung up! He's off the line, the son of a bitch!"

We waited like his puppets in the conference room, but the Russian mobster didn't make contact again. I knew the bastard well, and I didn't expect him to call us back. He was playing with us now.

Eventually I went back to my office, and Monnie Donnelley headed to Virginia. I still hadn't been assigned to the case-not officially, anyway. But the Wolf had known I would be there in the crisis room. He'd singled me out for a gratuitous insult. Just his style.

What was he up to? A mobster using terror tactics? Starting a war? If a small group of madmen in the desert could do it, why not the Russian Mafiya? All it seemed to take was a ruthless enough leader, and money.

I waited and wondered if the terrible uncertainty I felt was part of the Russian's plan to increase the pressure and stress. To control us? Test our patience?

And, of course, I thought about Geoffrey Shafer and how he might be connected. What was that all about? I'd already pulled up most of the recent data on Shafer. We had put an old girlfriend of Shafer's-his therapist-under surveillance. Her name was Elizabeth Cassady and I was trying to get a look at the notes from her therapy sessions with Shafer.

Later, I checked in at home and talked to Nana. She accused me of eating her corn bread and I blamed it on Damon, which got a cackle out of her. "You have to take responsibility for your actions," she scolded.

"Oh, I take full responsibility," I told her. "I ate the corn bread, and I'm glad. It was delicious."

Shortly after I got off the phone I was called down to a meeting in the crisis room. Tony Woods from the director's office addressed a roomful of agents. "There have been new developments," he began in a solemn tone. "All hell has broken loose in Europe."

Tony Woods paused, then went on: "There were two more terrible firebombings about an hour ago. Both were in Western Europe.

"One bombing took place in the northern part of England, in Northumberland, near the border with Scotland. The village of Middleton Hall-population, four hundred plus-is no more." Woods paused. "This time the townspeople weren't evacuated. We don't know why. There were close to a hundred casualties. It was a horrible bloodbath. Whole families died-men, women, and some children.

"We have already received a filmed segment from Scotland Yard. A local policeman took it from the Cheviots, which are a range of nearby hills. I'll put it on for you to see."

We sat and watched the short film in total, stunned silence. At the end, the local policeman himself spoke to the camera. "My name is Robert Wilson, and I grew up here in Middleton Hall, which is gone. There was a single main street, a couple of pubs and shops, houses of people I knew. There used to be an old Royal Engineers bridge into town, but that was blown up. Our local pub-gone. As I stand here, looking over this wasteland, I am reminded of why I am a Christian. What I feel most is hopelessness about our world."

Following the moving tape, Tony Woods told us about the bombing that had taken place in Germany. He said he had no accompanying videotape as yet.

"The damage in Lübeck was not quite as horrifying, but it's bad. A group of college students apparently resisted. Eleven of them were killed. Lübeck is in the Schleswig-Holstein region of Germany, near the border with Denmark. It's a farming area. Secluded. The Wolf has made no contact about the bombings. Nor were we warned ahead of time. All we know is, it's escalating."

What next? And how soon would it happen?

The tension during the next waiting period was excruciating. A madman was out there blowing up small towns and wouldn't tell us why, or if the attacks would continue and get worse.

For the time being, I concentrated my attention on a close study of the psychopathic Weasel-reading and re-reading everything in his thick file. More than I wanted to, I could see his face, hear his voice. I wanted to bring him down. I went through notes from the psychiatrist who'd treated Shafer when he'd lived in Washington. Not only had Dr. Elizabeth Cassady been Shafer's shrink, she'd been his lover.

The notes were mind-boggling, to say the least, especially given the nature of their relationship and how it had developed-and also how wrong she'd been about Shafer. As I read, I made notes on Dr. Cassady's notes.

FIRST ENCOUNTER

XX-year-old-male, self-referred with stated chief complaint-"I'm having trouble at work focusing on my projects." Stated that what he does is "classified." Also described people at work telling him that he has been behaving "strangely." Client said that he is married, father of three: twin girls and a boy; stated that he is "happy" at home and with his wife.

IMPRESSION

Well-dressed, very attractive, articulate male, somewhat restless, and with considerable presence. Somewhat grandiose in describing his past accomplishments.

RULE OUT

Schizoaffective disorder

Delusional disorder

Substance-induced mood disorder (primarily alcohol or recreational drugs)

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Borderline personality disorder

Unipolar depression

INTERVIEW #3

10 minutes late for appointment today. Irritable when questioned about this. Stated that he felt "spectacular," and yet seemed ill at ease and anxious in session.

INTERVIEW #6

When questioned about home life and earlier discussion of problems with sexual functioning, became somewhat inappropriate: chuckling, pacing, making sexually explicit jokes, and asking about my personal life. Stated that when he and his wife are together, he engages in fantasies about me and that this causes him to ejaculate prematurely.

INTERVIEW #9

Quiet today, almost with flattened affect, but denied any depression. Felt that people around him "don't understand me." Continued to describe sexual problems with wife. Stated that he had an episode of impotence last week with her, despite fantasizing about me. The sexual fantasies were very detailed and he refused to curtail them when asked. Admitted to being "obsessed" with me.

INTERVIEW #11

Marked change in affect today. Very energetic, euphoric, and almost overwhelmingly charismatic (possibility of sociopathic disorder). Questioned the need for further sessions, and stated, "I feel terrific." When questioned about issues with his wife, stated: "Things couldn't be better. She adores me, you know."

Discussed an episode of risky behavior this past week involving driving his car very fast, and intentionally leading police on a high-speed chase. Alluded to participating in sexual behavior with another partner, possibly a prostitute, and spoke of "rough sex." Manner of relating today was flirtatious, almost openly seductive. He is convinced that I "want" him.

INTERVIEW #14

Missed last appointment: no call. Apologetic today, but later became angry and restless. Stated that he felt the need to "reward himself." Discussed increase in libido again, mentioned calling several high-priced escort services to engage in sexual activity, and discussed desire to engage in sadomasochistic behavior.

Said that he is probably "in love" with me. No affect when he revealed this to me. None whatsoever. I must say, I am a little speechless. Colonel Shafer seems to be attending these sessions almost solely for the purpose of seducing me. And unfortunately, it's working.