Ian and Jonah had arrived at the Refuge first thing in the morning. Cal had spent several hours looking at the plans and had reproduced them with one very small but very critical bit of the design sabotaged. It wasn't something that would be obvious until it was actually fabricated and tested. So Ian had high hopes he could pull it off.

For the offer to be made, Marc and Stephen joined them in the Ops Center.   They had wired Ian's cell phone in so that it was on speakers so they call could hear the conversation.

Ian took a deep breath and then dialed Betty Jo's cell phone fully expecting Collins to answer.

"Hello, old man," Collins said four rings later.

"Funny, you don't sound a bit like Betty Jo. May I speak with her?" Ian was keeping his voice purposefully light.

"I'm sorry, she's not here.  I'd be happy to take a message  for her."

"Well, since you're on the line I wondered if you might have heard that the plans for the psi-gizmo have gone missing on St Michael's. You didn't have anything to do with that did you?"

There was silence on the line for a moment.  Then, "no, I hadn't heard.  It must be upsetting for them.  So there's no message?"''

"If I could get my hands on that gizmo..."

"Ah, sounds like you've found something to keep you busy.  Betty will be happy to know that," Collins said.

"Well, I wondered how badly you might want it yourself," Ian replied.

"Really?  I'm touched by your concern."

"Ah, well if you've lost interest in it, then that's that. I just thought perhaps a trade might be arranged."

"A trade?"

"A trade. Something I want for the gizmo."

Collins laughed.  "I see.  And what would that be?  Or shall I guess?"

"We both know there is only one thing you have that I want. You release Betty Jo to her family, and I'll get you the plans for the psi-enhancer/dampener."

"A sort of if-then scenario?  You get what you want and then you go get what I want?"

"No a trade straight up. I hand you the plans, you hand me Betty Jo."

"A more realistic suggestion at least," Collins said and went silent.  "Yes, I think perhaps it's worth considering," he said finally.  "I'll let you know, shall I?  Of course I'll have to discuss it with her as well."

"By all means. You have my number." Ian shut down his cell and looked around at Jonah.

"He'll say yes.  He just doesn't want to end it yet," Jonah said. 

"Yes. He needs to feel he's in control also," Ian added. "Anything to add, Stephen? Marc?"

Stephen shook his head.  "No.  I suppose he'll name the place so all we can do is wait."

Two days later, Collins sat at his desk and spun the chair around to look out over the ocean, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.  She was so delectable, it was tempting to keep her until he tired of her, to teach all the ways she could please him and then let her.  She was so beautiful, enthralling really.  And the look in her eyes when he touched her, it was intoxicating.

Still, it was time for the next step.  He picked up Betty Jo's cell phone and keyed the speed dial number.  Then he waited, the smile growing.

"Blakesley," Ian answered.

"Ian, you sound a trifle tired old man.  Should I call back?"

"On the contrary, Barnaby, I'm very well. And rested."

"Ah good.  I'm glad to hear it.  I called to tell you that I've decided to accept your offer.  And while I'm desolated at the idea of our parting, one never knows what the future will bring, does one?"

"On the other hand, Barnaby, I'll be delighted we'll part. Where and when?"

Collins laughed.  "I'm crushed.  So perhaps we should make this memorable.  Seneca Creek State Park, the Blue Jay pavilion in an hour," he said.

"My dear fellow, do give me a clue as to what country?"

"I'd have thought the answer was obvious.  Still, perhaps you're distracted.  US, Maryland."

"I shall be there, with the plans. Make sure you have Betty Jo with you."  Ian rang off.

Cal was typing like a maniac.  "Here's the map," he said and pointed.  "Blue Jay  pavilion.  It's just outside of DC in Montgomery County, Potomac.  High rent district."

"Of course it would be," Ian replied. "Don't show me where backup is. I need to show up ignorant of everything. One never knows."

Stephen nodded.  "Then you and Jonah head out and we'll be there."

Ian and Jonah dropped into the park near the Blue Jay pavilion a minute or two before the time specified. Ian held a leather portfolio case, the original one stolen by Lis, Leroy and Marc.   It was late in the day, cooling off. The place was empty of other people. Not even runners went by the pavilion normally.  They could hear birdsong, wind in the trees, and the very distant hum of traffic.  Dead leaves left over from winter crunched under their feet as they walked toward the pavilion, the both of them scanning the area.

A car was parked a ways back on the access road to the pavilion.  Collins opened the driver's side door and stepped out.  Betty Jo sat in the passenger seat, her head leaning back against the neck rest, seemingly asleep.  He leaned back in and gave her a swift look, then flicked the dome light on, illuminating her face.  Apparently satisfied he moved around the the car and towards the pavilion.  A smile lit his face at the sight of Jonah.  "What a pleasant surprise.  She'll be so pleased you're here, Jonah," he said.

Jonah grunted and studied the car behind Collins.

"Let her out of the car, Barnaby." Ian's voice was quiet, hard.

"Show me the plans first.  I want to see what I'm getting."

Ian looked around and approached one of the tables in the pavilion. He opened up the leather portfolio and spread out one page of the plans. The other pages he kept hold of.

Collins laughed.  "Are you expecting only a part of what you want?"

"You know the plans, Collins. You'll get the rest when Betty Jo is in her father's arms."

"Well, if he doesn't stand still that's not happening," Collins said, as Jonah tried to ease behind him. 

Jonah grunted and stopped.  "Just making sure she's alright."

"Of course,  just normal understandable fatherly feeling.  But I suggest you contain it for now."  Collins looked back at Ian.  "It's not that I don't trust you, Ian.  But I have a need to be reassured."

"As do I, Barnaby, as do I. Merely have her stand outside the vehicle."

Collins smiled and returned to the car, opening the passenger door and leaning his head in.  Then he straightened and held out his hand.  She pivoted and lifted her legs out of the car then setting them on the ground as she grasped his hand and let him help her up, his body between her and Ian and Jonah.  She smiled at him, tilting her face towards his as he brushed a kiss on her forehead.  Then he directed her attention towards Ian and Jonah.  She turned her face to them and then looked back Collins. 

"I've got to get closer," Ian said in Jonah's head.  "Hullo, Betty Jo," Ian said aloud. "I've missed you."

She turned at the words, her smile hesitant.  "Hello," she said, then looked back at Collins.

Collins stroked her face softly and handed her back into the car, closing the door carefully behind her.  Then he strolled back over to the pavilion.

Ian waited for Collins to approach and handed over the plans. He could, he thought, grab the whole bloody car.

Collins spread them out on the picnic table in the pavilion, studying them closely, one sheet at a time, once or twice returning to a previous sheet before continuing.  Finally he finished, folded them carefully and held them out to Ian, regret informing his features.  "I don't think so.  The good professor needs to return to his workshop, rethinking his approach, or you need to find a better forger."

"They're the plans," Ian insisted. "You know that."

"No doubt.  However, there's no way the result will perform as advertised," Collins said.  "I am sorry.  I had so hoped this was the start of new chapter in our relationship.  Alas, it's not to be, so I'll bid you adieu.  And you too, Jonah."  He smiled and turned towards the car.

The car began to lift on it's own, shifted and began to zap out.

Collins gestured and the car froze.  "I wouldn't recommend it.  It's up to you of course, but she won't survive the experience."

"Let her go, Collins, or I swear I shall hunt you down until one of us is dead."

Collins smiled.  "Then I won't have to worry about missing you.  Nor will she." 

"Betty Jo!" Ian called.

She looked over her shoulder at the sound of her name.  Collins glanced at her and then looked back at Ian.  "It's been nice seeing you both.  We'll have to do this again sometime.  I'll be sure to give her your love."  Then he gestured and he and Betty Jo disappeared.

"Bloody hell," Ian said as he slammed his fist into the table.