The Silencers

But don't you see, my dear, we must assume

that if they knew your partner well enough to put a knife into his back,

they've gotta know who you are, too.

And I don't want you to make a touch until...

Unless we find you a new associate.

And I... I have someone in mind. Hold on just a second.

Yes, here we are.

He's, uh, been out of our operation for some time now,

sort of on a semi-permanent leave, you might say.

I've been told he's a photographer now,

and thoroughly enjoying his work,

so it might be a little difficult to convince him.

But he's the right man, and he's in the right place.

Let's just hope he's in condition.

He had some rather peculiar ideas

about keeping in shape, as I recall.

Mmm.

Hello?

MacDonald calling.

MacDonald call... MacDonald callin'? Oh, sorry.

What do you mean, you're not home?

M-Matt helm's on an assignment at... at cape Kennedy.

Look, you're still on uncle Sam's payroll,

and I've got an assignment for you.

K-e-n-n-e-d-y, Kennedy. That's right, yeah.

Last I heard, he was up in one of them space capsules.

Way up.

Good morning.

Oh.

Uh, the soap, please, miss kravezit.

Thank you.

Mmm.

Mmm.

I feel clean all over. And no unsightly lather.

Miss kravezit?

Mr. Helm? Huh.

Won't you please call me by my first name?

Well, I don't know your first name.

It's lovey.

Lovey kravezit?

Mmm-hmm.

Oh, that's some kind of name.

Lovey, send a telegram.

Walter casselman, slaymate magazine, Chicago, Illinois.

"Dear Wally, just completed photo spread today.

Will send results in plain brown wrapper. All the best."

To the simple life.

Wrong hacienda.

Remember, I'm still up in that space capsule.

Mr. Helm is still in orbit. Try the moon in 48 hours.

The area code there is...

It's newsday magazine.

Oh, hello, Chris. Ye-yep, you just caught me in the darkroom.

Yeah.

Oh, and I got a lot of great stuff from that taos festival.

Acapulco?

Oh, I could be on my way tonight.

Oh, Chris, could you make that 2 tickets?

I'd like to take along my answering service.

Yeah, you let me know.

Bye, Chris.

Mexico, miss kravezit?

Uh-uh.

Lovey.

Lovey kravezit.

You have been vaccinated?

Mmm-hmm.

If I were a germ, that's the first place I'd look.

Mmm.

He doesn't answer, Mr. MacDonald.

Keep trying, miss sherman. I've got to reach him.

Yes, sir.

What have you got, frazer?

Another piece of the puzzle.

There's been some big "o" activity in this area.

A number of their agents have been spotted.

Santa fe, huh?

Uncomfortably close to alamogordo.

And the next underground atomic test.

If MacDonald is right, they'll lead us straight to big "o."

Notice was short, but I see you are all here. Good.

Congratulations, tung-tze, on the latest missile disaster.

Did you like it?

Thank you.

Your report.

The next American missile shot takes place in 3 days,

August 13.

Their underground atomic test takes place the same day,

August 13.

An extraordinary coincidence.

We have worked for 5 years

to arrange this "extraordinary coincidence."

And when we have used it for our purposes,

vast areas of this country will be blanketed with radioactive matter.

We shall have taken our first great step to conquest.

Operation fallout now lacks only one element,

one vital piece of information.

Andreyev?

I've been in contact with the American scientist.

He will deliver the computer tape to Phoenix as planned.

You are aware of the consequences of failure.

The tape will be here in time. I guarantee it.

You once gave your assurance

that our activities here would remain secret.

But from what I have just seen on the road up there,

another split second, and you would have been caught.

And you know by whom?

Ice.

Yes, ice.

American intelligence and counter espionage.

We have now become the prime targets of their legal assassins.

One of their agents got through to the girl, but he was killed.

And you thought that would be the end of it.

His death will only bring others, like today,

and among them, Matt helm.

Ooh, a treasure hunt.

Can't be lovey.

It's a girl.

Hello there.

I couldn't help noticing, but these are your clothes?

What if they are?

I know you've a headache, but don't take it out on me.

I, uh, what shall I do with these?

Just throw them anywhere. I won't be needing them till morning.

Don't you think we should be introduced first?

You're Matt helm.

That's good enough for me.

Oh.

Hold it now. I get the picture.

You're a shill for the house.

I beg your pardon?

You were sent over by a certain party

to entice me out of a space capsule, right?

MacDonald sent me.

Mmm, that's the fella.

Honey, hand in your uniform, you're off the team,

'cause I'm due in acapulco tomorrow.

Matt, there's work to be done.

This happens to be important.

Well, so is acapulco. I'm losing my tan.

We could work well together.

What's in acapulco that you can't find here?

Mexicans.

There must be some way to convince you.

Well, I'm... I'm open for suggestions.

Wait.

Stay as you are.

You been vaccinated?

Mmm-hmm.

Why?

Oh, just a thought.

It's been a long while, Eric.

Tina.

Sorry for the interruption, but she likes to scratch.

Has it occurred to you that I might want to know

what's happening here?

Aren't you going to thank me first?

Sure.

Mmm.

Ah, you're welcome.

Now, who is that girl? She said MacDonald sent her.

That's what she told my partner just before she killed him.

You know Jim traynor. You worked with him.

Who was she working for?

Recognize the trademark?

Big "o."

Remember them?

Oh, yes, Tina.

But I've been on leave from I.C.E. For a long time.