Most of the time--especially between my trips abroad--I thought I was just a number to the giant computers in the basement of the RACE building on Fifth Avenue, an unknown among the thousands of unknowns that made up the largest Certified Public Accounting firm in the world. But I was wrong. Mr. Hotchkiss, my department's supervisor, said as much during that fateful interview. "I've had my eye on you for years, Paul, sure that one day you would rise through the ranks to become a full partner in this company. Your selection, therefore, is no surprise to me. It's been your destiny."

Always skeptical about the powers of destiny, I pressed him to elaborate. He retreated behind a barrage of words and pat phrases, stating that the work load in Uhuru had escalated exponentially, what with the large construction projects now underway, and become far too much for the four RACE agents already there. Upper management was worried about the lack of progress and felt some fresh blood was needed down there. My long years of experience with the World Bank uniquely qualified me for the position. For that reason I was the obvious choice.

It still didn't sound right to me and I told him so. I wasn't going half way around the world on a permanent assignment unless I knew the whole truth behind my selection. Uhuru wasn't a place one went to capriciously. One had to have a damned good reason. A reason that would last a lifetime!

Only then did he relent and admit that the decision hadn't been as simple and straightforward as he'd said; in fact, it had practically been forced upon them. The Uhuruan authorities specifically requested me--on the condition that I pass the rigorous physical examination and psycho-profile routinely required—because our representative, Brian McCarthy, the head of the Uhuruan office, had spoken highly of me and their independent checking confirmed his glowing recommendation. Mr. Hotchkiss assured me the procedure wasn't unusual for the Uhuruans; they had their own funny way of doing business and when they targeted someone, they usually got him. Brian McCarthy had been recruited the same way.

I didn't find his assurances very consoling. I hardly knew Brian McCarthy. We had met briefly before he went to Uhuru but had hardly exchanged a word. Why he should recommend me so highly was a mystery. We finally concluded that one of RACE's other people in Uhuru, whom I did know, had probably touted him on to me, and he simply passed their recommendation along as his own.