Terry had the foresight to call to Rimes' office, so they had about a ten second warning that Stephen and Ian Blakesley were on the way. Not that it did them much good. Coop met them at the front door, explained he'd have to see if Rimes was in, and was free (although the look Ian gave him convinced Coop he didn't buy that prevarication for a moment and that Coop knew exactly where Rimes was and what he was doing), and showed them into the conference room where he produced a carafe of coffee and two mugs for them, then excused himself to meet with the boss by way of plotting some sort of strategy.

Coop knocked on the boss' door and walked in before the "come in" came out of Rimes' mouth. "They're here," he said by way of explanation.  Stephen looks his usual cool self; at a guess I'd say you'll be lucky if Blakesley doesn't fillet you and serve you as sushi. Me, I'm thinking I'm gonna get fed to the chickens."

Rimes smiled.  "You're welcome to take an early lunch.  Or maybe recall you've an appointment elsewhere.   It's my hide they want, not yours."

"Wouldn't wanna miss the fireworks, boss."

"And the first aid kit's handy, right?" he asked, pushing back from his desk.  He shrugged and headed for the conference room, Coop following.  "Gentlemen," he said by way of greeting as he walked in.  "It's always nice to see you."

Ian, thunderclouds over his brow, looked anything but pleased to see Rimes. Coop walked over to get himself and the boss coffee and refilled Stephen's mug. Ian's hadn't been touched.  Then he took a seat, sitting off to the side, to let the three principals thrash things out, he was there only for the mop up.

Stephen nodded, noncommittal in the extreme.  "I'm sure.  We just had a rather interesting chat with Terry Marsh."

"He called just a moment or two ago to let me know that," Rimes said.  "So how can I help?"

Ian snorted.

Stephen ignored him.  "If he called I'm sure he explained that we are feeling a heightened degree of concern about the operation currently underway in Las Vegas.  A concern arising from what appears to be a rather serious underestimation of the risks involved resulting in an unnecessary degree of exposure for your people.  Not to mention a rather criminal lack of basic preparation in the area of education about the threat posed by the talented."

Rimes raised an eyebrow and leaned back in his chair.  "He conveyed to me his displeasure that he wasn't more completely briefed regarding both the abilities of Leroy and Betty Jo and by extension the abilities of the people we are investigating.  I'm unclear how that translates into a 'serious underestimation of the risks' as you put it, or a 'criminal lack of preparation'.  At the moment we don't know what the risks amount to."

"You were well aware that they could teleport, these criminals, were you not?  And now you are telling me you haven't made the next logical leap and asked yourself, if the minor members of the organization can do that, that it is highly likely the organization is run by those who understand and can apply not only teleportation but also the other powers that generally appear with such an ability?" Ian's voice was quiet, but his body was tense.

Rimes flushed.  "Yes, I am."

"Idiot," Ian spat out.

"No doubt," Rimes said. 

Stephen regarded him thoughtfully.  "You really didn't think that through?"

"No.  I suppose I regarded it in the light of my experience which lacks some of the elements of yours.  I viewed it as an ability that would increase one's marketability without considering whom it would be marketed to, in the specific that is."  He sighed.  "It's no excuse, of course.  And I am not implying I'm not, as you say, guilty of a criminal degree of stupidity.  But that's not relevant at the moment.  What is is that I've got four people at greater risk than I, and perhaps, they realize."

"What you have are four people who put their trust in you to do all you could to keep them safe whilst doing a filthy job you asked them to do," Ian hissed.  "Betty Jo has had hardly any training in using her new abilities, there having been little time to do so since she's become talented. Leroy too, has had only a few months to learn about his own abilities. Neither have experience to guide them. Instead, they had you."

Rimes considered him steadily for a moment.  "Of the many responses I could make to that I will confine myself to saying that, while I fail to see how training them was my, or solely my, responsibility, that is also correct.  You are free to flay me to your heart's content, Lord Avery, but I would prefer you waited until after the problem is solved.  I assure you I will make myself available." 

"As to training them, when they signed on your brief was to liaise and investigate paranormal activity, not to bring down criminal organizations. So forgive me if I'm unclear on how it is you are suddenly in control of a complex operation against a major, possibly international, organization? That wasn't what they signed on for, Mr. Rimes."

"Are you suggesting it would have been better to leave it in the hands of an agency even less equipped to deal with the situation?  As well, it is my understanding that referring the problem to you and yours was not a possibility," Rimes snapped. 

"Since I am a British citizen no referring the problem to me is most definitely not an option," Ian replied, hanging onto his temper with his fingernails. "I could care less which corrupt elements of your society you allow to operate and which you wish to curtail. My only interest in this is that you have put people I care about at great risk, and that you seem to see that as business as usual."

"Actually, Ian," Stephen interjected, "I think it's clear he doesn't see it as business as usual. As for the rest I think he was pointing out that we, all of us, have made it plain we have better things to do than get involved with the government when it is a matter of satisfying their curiosity or aiding them in an endeavor that they believe would be better managed using our abilities.  What was not perhaps made plain and should be now, at least from my perspective, is that one way or another this sort of situation is precisely the sort I want to be involved in because I recognize that neither the Zoo, Blackheath or any other of that ilk is equipped to grasp the possible ramifications or deal with them.  I would also like to suggest, though this is perhaps the worst time for it, that organizations of the sort we're dealing with here have nothing to do with borders -- in fact they view them much as I do, which is to say they are irrelevant and in no way impact my job."

"All of which may be true, Stephen, but it is a bit late in the day to consider them.  Earlier Mr. Rimes wished for a solution. I have one for him. Pull them out. Now."

"And then what?" Stephen asked.  "Let the people they are investigating continue to operate?"

"Why not? They have, no doubt, been operating for years. Pull our people out, get the organization and the people in it up to speed and then perhaps design the op anew."

"If it weren't for the fact that there are two missing DEA agents out there somewhere, probably dead but possibly alive, I would agree," Rimes said.  "But that fact means whatever happens we haven't time for what is obviously the ideal solution."

Ian opened his mouth to say something but closed it with a snap, perhaps thinking better of yet again flicking a verbal whip on open wounds.

Rimes eyed him.  "Yes, I know.  And as I said you may flay me to the nth degree, but after we solve the problem."

"I think," Stephen said, "that the first step will be to supplement your people in Las Vegas with those who have rather more experience in dealing with this sort of thing.  Then I will get Marc to take a look at what we can do to level the playing field in terms of Billie, Bobbie and Terry's abilities in relation to those they are investigating and how to increase the protection around the Jo's and Leroy while we find out exactly what and who we're dealing with."

"I'd prefer pulling them out of there," Ian replied, "now."

"I doubt," Coop offered, "they'd come willingly. They know time is of the essence with regard to finding the missing agents."

"There is that," Stephen said.  "Though I understand totally why Ian isn't inclined to view that as cogent.  Can you pull them back for twenty four hours?"

Rimes considered that and looked at Coop.  Coop checked his PDA. "We could pull them out for...twenty one hours at most. They're on the schedule for tomorrow."

Ian nodded.  "I'll accept that."

Rimes nodded.  "Do it now," he said.

Stephen smiled and pulled out his cellphone, calling Tommy to tell him he needed Marc back as soon as Marc could manage it and to find Tobie and Chance. When he hung up he looked at Ian.  "What else?"

"I'll meet you, the Jos, Leroy and Terry at the Refuge."

"Okay," Stephen said.  "Coop will you tell Leroy that's where we're meeting.  He and Betty will handle the transport.  I assume you two would like to join us?"

Ian looked rebellious for a moment but didn't say anything.

Coop offered, "I'd like a chance to liaise there. And to learn."

"I agree," Rimes said. 

Stephen nodded.  "I'll set up an ops center there and Trevor will join us.  We'll see you in my office Ian."

"Right," Ian said and winked out without another word.

"Well that was close," Stephen said.  "You two ready?  'Cause I need a drink."