�Here�s the picture, Diane. The presence of a lot of blood would significantly dim our hopes of finding that she had won that battle.�

�A little blood, then.� She found his tone oddly comforting, almost compassionate. Not the least bit condescending.

�That would be consistent.�

�With what? Are you saying she and Kyle were kidnapped at knifepoint?�

�That would be consistent with the Dominicans� M.O.� Harry stared at the window again.

�Oh God. Please tell me I don�t have to check for people washing out vans and bodies in Dumpsters,� Diane whispered. Her eyes looked hollow.

�Don�s odds have just improved to 95 percent.�

This time, Diane didn�t have the energy to ask why. She just stared at Denby waiting for an answer. Every cell in her body demanded that he continue. The monitor picked up its pace, as if responding to her own imploring heart. Her friend, the monitor.

�Don�s most likely in the wind.� Harry paused, eyes fixed on those bricks across the way, breathing slowly and deeply to calm himself. �Jill and Kyle are most likely the bargaining chips to flush out Don. They must need convincing that Don hasn�t done a flip yet. Diane, you need to know, the only one Don�s willing to give up is Jill. If you don�t find a way to get her back yourself, you might not see her again. No way Don�s going to turn hero at this stage.�

Diane buried her face in her hands and shrunk into a chair at the foot of Harry�s bed. Her shoulders were shaking ever so slightly. The sun was not out on this part of the globe. But Harry was acting like a decent guy nonetheless. If he felt like making a harsh remark, he mercifully held his tongue.

In one deft move with both hands, Diane released the Velcro at Harry�s ankles, then turned and ran out of the hospital room. Harry lifted his knees to stretch his back, and he sighed as the discomfort in his lumbar region subsided. Now, if he could just get his hands, at least, on some cough syrup. Or maybe a big jar of Listerine for his mouth, which hadn�t been rinsed in days. He worked up some phlegm, and pressed the call button to summon the nurse to help him with his rasping cough and sore throat.

Harry thought he heard the slow, heavy footfalls of a large man wearing leather-soled shoes, walking slowly away down the hallway.