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September 2000, the FBI field office, Washington, D.C.

DIA counterintelligence officer Scott Carmichael and his colleague Gator are in a windowless meeting room.

Sitting opposite them nursing a coffee in a polystyrene cup is their FBI counterpart, Steve McCoy.

Steve, Gator and I have got some intel and we think it's going to blow your mind.

He waits for him to react.

But the FBI man seems more interested in his colleague's nickname.

Gator as in investigator.

Gator looks offended. No, gator as an alligator. My dad was a game warden in

Louisiana. I had one as a pet. McCoy looks amused, but Carmichael stresses the serious

purpose of their visit. Also, gator as in sharp teeth, ready to close in on its prey.

We asked for this meeting because we've identified Agent S, the Cuban spy you've been looking

for.

McCoy sits up.

Hold on.

How do you two know about Agent S?

We were given a tip-off that Agent S had access to SAFE. That's our internal system,

and if there's a mole in our building, it's our job to investigate. With respect, there's an

ongoing FBI investigation which could be compromised if word gets around the DIA. Who told you

about this? With respect, the information we have is more important than where it came from.

If you want to catch your spy, you need to hear what we came here to say.

Have it your way.

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