An explosion at a chemical plant involves Immortal Talia, and Nick gets hired by Garrett, the owner of the factory. Garrett claims that a prototype plastics formula was stolen. Amanda investigates Talia, an acquaintance, and is told that Garrett, Talia's lover, had a sample of her blood and plans to chemically duplicate immortality. It turns out that Talia, a former revolutionary (and who saved Amanda's life during the French Revolution) is now simply in it for the money, and stole a viral plague from Garrett. She plans to sell it to terrorists. While Nick defuses a bomb Talia has planted as a distraction, Amanda fights Talia. She spares Talia's life because she owes her one, but when Talia comes after her anyway, Amanda takes her head. The resulting Quickening destroys the virus for good. Copyright 2002 Steve Crow