CBS News spokeswoman Sandy Genelius refused to comment on Mapes' ongoing role in the memos story, but acknowledged that the "60 Minutes" producer remains on CBS's payroll.

The fact that Mapes is still on the job has prompted speculation that she may not be willing to walk the plank - or at least not alone.

And since her key source for the disastrous story, Bill Burkett, was also a longtime source for Dan Rather himself, suspicion continues to swirl that Mapes may have the goods on CBS misconduct that transcends her own role in Rathergate.

The Rathergate fallgal, who's been searching for dirt on President Bush's National Guard record since 1999, has spent all that time working under Rather on "60 Minutes II." She's also been a top producer on the anchorman's "Evening News" broadcasts since 1989.

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