�I guess you would know the type better than anyone, wouldn�t you?� Siquieros continued to tease her. He looked over at Danny and was delighted to find him steaming. Ah. Jealousy. He could work with that. He inhaled deeply, taking a cleansing breath, and began, �I guess you must have heard that my poor son is deceased.�

Diane said, �Yes, that word is spreading. Along with word that he was a ranking cartel member. Which means you are not DEA, now, are you?�

�Very perceptive, young lady.� Diane was furious with herself for being momentarily grateful for the flattery. It wouldn�t have touched her if the young cop outside hadn�t �ma�am�ed� her twice just minutes ago. She looked down and shifted her feet, breathing to keep her broiling emotions in check. �Why don�t you take a seat so we can talk?� Siquieros wheedled her gently, flirting with his eyes, appraising her body slowly, smiling invitingly.

Diane sat on the floor and leaned against the wall. From her angle, she could see under Claire�s bed, and she hid her reaction to the wet, wavy pile of jet-black hair she saw there. Diane took a breath, closed her eyes, and in her best curious-sounding voice, she squinted up at Siquieros, �What do you want?�

�That�s the thing,� Siquieros mused, sighing, �I want so little in life. Love, family, a good income. And everything is falling apart.�

�Well, how can we help you with that?� Danny asked, trying to sound sincerely helpful.

�I must admit; I am a vengeful man. I know. I know. It�s a sin. But I can�t help myself.�

�Why do you feel a need for revenge?� Diane asked in her best sympathetic tone of voice.

�Well, you see, this Mr. Denby has seen to it that my family has been injured. Mortally wounded, really. Not just my own son. But members of my extended family have fallen victim to death, imprisonment and humiliation as a result of his deceptive actions. Family values, friendship, loyalty. These are all qualities that are so lacking in people today. You bring someone into your trust, into your family, and they betray you. My heart is broken.� Siquieros focused his plea on Danny, who was nodding with understanding about the evils of Denby.

�You think Denby killed your son?� Diane asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.

�I think he caused my son�s death, yes.� His icy calm voice was sending chills up Diane�s spine as only pure evil can.

�How?�

�In order to escape the tragic humiliation at his failure to complete the very simple assignment of assassinating Mr. Denby and his other associates, such as Ms. Kelly here,� he said, looking directly into Diane�s eyes, �my son took a dive off a bridge.�