[8:00 San Francisco, California, USA]

Mortimer walked into the Acme control room. He felt a little short of breath.
Don't panic, he told himself. It'll settle down if you give it time.

Carmen, Zack, and Ivy were waiting. Carmen was wearing regular clothes
instead of her usual red trenchcoat.

The Chief whistled. "OK, everyone! Crimenet's been monitoring during the
night. We've found out that Lee is somewhere in North Dakota. So, I'd
say--search before he can leave the state, or even the country."

"Uh, Chief?" Ivy asked. "There's only four of us. North Dakota is 68,994
square miles."

"Well, split up and search in pairs. Ivy, you and Carmen search the north.
Zack and Mortie, you two check the south. So,so," the Chief paused. "Oh, yes.
NOW GET GOING!"

Mortimer, Zack, and Carmen left the room. Ivy turned to follow. She stopped
short. "Work with Carmen?"

The Chief said nothing.

Fifteen minutes later, Ivy caught up to Carmen in Minot.

"Ivy? Do you really think Mortimer is as worthless as you make him out to
be?" Carmen asked.

Ivy snorted in contempt. "He's worse! He has no redeeming qualities
whatsoever. I just can't think of enough bad things to say about him. Anyone
who's related to Lee Jordan is bad news! I just don't understand why Mortimer
doesn't just take your offer and be done with it."

Carmen replied cooly, "He doesn't have to join VILE. And I can't force him
to."

"He'll take it eventually," Ivy snapped. "And be ready for a great big 'I
told you so' when he does." She thought a moment. "Why did you even ask that
question?"

"Just helping your conscience," Carmen answered. "I know, that deep down
inside, you like that gentleman."

"Carmen Sandiego! How could you even call Mortimer Jordan a gentleman? And
what are you implying?"

"If you stop blaming Mortimer, maybe then you'll realize where the blame
really lies."

Over in the southern half of North Dakota, Zack and Mortimer were searching
Mandan.

The Chief gave them information. "The city of Mandan was built on Fort
Mandan, the winter quarters of the Lewis and Clark expedition in the winter
of 1804 through 1805.Named after the Mandan Indians--"

"Uh, Chief?" Zack interrupted. "Can we get back to you?"

"Sure," replied the Chief.

Zack shut off his communicator and asked, "Mortimer, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Mortimer replied quickly. "Why'd you ask?"

"Your breathing's a little shaky."

"It's just my asthma acting up. I'll be fine if I just take it easy." But the
familiar, hateful tightening in Mortimer's chest didn't leave. It became
worse.

Zack shrugged. "If you insist. And I apologize for my sister's behavior last
night."

"I don't blame her. As they say, 'Possession is nine-tenths of the law.' "

"That's what she said this morning. Only it was 'Possession is nine-tenths of
guilt.' But it wasn't your fault that Lee set you up. I don't know what his
problem is..." Zack stopped short. "Are you sure you're all right? Your hands
are shaking."

"It's OK.....just a slight motor seizure," Mortimer quipped in a less than
convincing voice.

Zack knew it. "You got another phone call from Lee, right?"

"You're correct," Mortimer admitted.

"Your cousin is a psychopath, don't you know?"

"But perhaps he's right," Mortimer sighed. "Maybe I am worthless."

"Uh, this may sound strange coming from me instead of Ivy, but Lee is never
right. So, I'd say focus on your good qualities."

Mortimer shook his head. "I don't have any."

"Mort, we all make mistakes sometimes. Don't make any more, stay away from
Ivy, keep turning Carmen down, and you'll be fine."

Above them, Lee was scanning the crowd. He caught sight of Zack and Mortimer
in his spyglass. "There they are."

"What? Is Carmen Sandiego with them?" Maelstrom asked eagerly, crossing to
the window.

Lee turned back to the window and peeked. "No."

"Curses!"

"Give it time," Lee retorted.

"Time? I've waited years for this opportunity. How can I 'give it time'?"
Maelstrom screamed.

Lee ignored the ranting and turned away. "Well, I'm going after those two."

Maelstrom followed. "Wait for me. You said that cousin of yours has turned
his back to the annals of crime. The talent to pull off flawless heists is
wasted on someone too soft-hearted and delicate to live."

Meanwhile, Zack and Mortimer had reached an alley. Lee and Maelstrom followed
them, blocking the entrance.

"I'll give you one chance to live, Mortimer," Lee informed icily. "Hand over
the detective."

"Putting a colleague's life in jeopardy is treason, a crime I do not intend
to commit," Mortimer retorted.

"What?" Zack hissed.

"Just get behind me," whispered Mortimer.

Maelstrom laughed scornfully. "Protecting the child, eh? Who's going to
protect you?"

Suddenly,  Mortimer let out a loud wheeze.

"Don't think you can fake an asthma attack, because it's not going to help
you," Lee snapped.

"Actually," Maelstrom corrected. "I think this one's real."

Mortimer began to cough and gasp, fighting to breathe. He reached in his
pocket for his inhaler.

Maelstrom grabbed Lee. "Come on. We'll leave these poor, misguided Acme
detectives in the dust."

Mortimer attempted to take a breath on the inhaler, just as Lee knocked it
out of his hand.

Zack retrieved the inhaler as the two criminals left. He handed it to
Mortimer, who took it gratefully.

Mortimer took a breath on the instrument. It helped, but not enough. He took
another one. No good.

"Chief, C-5 us Emergency Assistance," Zack cried, sensing the danger of the
situation.

To be continued....