�If you want to see your child alive again, you should consider becoming a little more cooperative, Ms. Russell.�

Diane fidgeted in her chair, and she tried to control her anger. �I�m cooperating. What do you want?�

�It�s very simple, Ms. Russell. We want all the money Mr. Denby gave you.�

�What, are you a high-priced mugger?�

�Aren�t you the least bit curious about where that money came from? Given your background, I�m surprised you didn�t look into it further once you found that you had no rich uncle in Ireland. Didn�t you want to know?�

Diane sat in uncomfortable silence. The truth was, she did want to know, but she was afraid to confront Paul without any evidence. Now her worst suspicions had been confirmed. Harry Denby had run off with those missing twenty kilos, and these guys were here to get the proceeds back, $1.5 million in all. Kids were shooting up all over New York City right now, and she was flying to the tropics on the proceeds of their collapsed veins and AIDS-riddled blood. Diane felt queasy.

�You can make it right with your conscience, Ms. Russell, if you will just return the money to its rightful owner, me, and show me where Mr. Denby has the rest of it.�

Diane heard the baby start to cry in the next room. Her body reacted naturally, preparing itself to feed him. She stood and attempted to walk to the door so she could retrieve her baby. The Boss held her wrist, twisting it painfully.

�No, Ms. Russell. No feeding the baby until you feed me first.�

�You sick bastard,� she hissed.

�Come, come now. You know I meant the money.�

�It�s in my account. If you�re so smart, go and get it yourself.�

�No, Ms. Russell. You�ll come to the bank and wire the money to a numbered account in another country. As soon as you finish, you can have your baby back.� The Boss pulled her up and dragged her across the room to the door. He flung the door open and stepped out into the bright sunshine, squinting his eyes. When he could see again, he found himself surrounded by islanders, led by a tall, brown man with shoulder-length brown hair. Diane heard a car door slam on the other side of the building, and in seconds, an engine started and tires peeled out.

�What was that?� Diane said to the Boss, pulling her arm from his weakened grasp. She ran around the building and saw Number One driving off with her baby in the car beside him.

�Insurance,� he said, raising his eyebrows confidently.