"The Lucians have the most sophisticated communication system in the world--it makes the CIA look like a bunch of kids talking into paper cups. But no phone or computer is truly secure, which is why the Lucians sometimes use more "creative" methods to send highly classified information. When Vikram and Isabel Kabra decided to send Irina Spasky on a crucial mission, they couldn't risk any of the other branches intercepting the message. So they left Irina an assignment in code at her favorite nail salon. The set up might have been silly, but the task was deadly serious."