Metafire

"No, Erisa, you sent mail to Washington over an open government channel. In any event, we have some accounts with secret clearance, and we can watch some government activity."

"Would your people have died rather than give in?" She had to ask. She spoke to him like she spoke to her father, without feeling. She was now beginning to think of him this way. Someone who didn't really care.

"Yes. I suspect they would have. They are operating on their own initiative. You will be a part of that group soon. We respect them. I think that you are intelligent Erisa. If you come to understand us, you may decide to freely be a member of our group. Even if you don't, we have no desire to harm you. But don't misunderstand that, Erisa. We will protect ourselves." He wanted to be nice, but he didn't want her to do anything stupid. He found her beautiful.

The Sandy haired guy who flew the airplane walked into the breakfast room and whispered in Dr. O'Leary's ear. O'Leary looked down, "I have to go now, Erisa. Please, if you don't want us investigating more in Houston, perhaps putting more people's lives in danger, tell me the password. Tell me right now." He looked up in her eyes.

Erisa just looked up and into his eyes and said, "The password? How do I know that you know it?"