�Well, well, well. If it isn�t...� the Boss began.

�Matisse. Paul Matisse. And you are?�

�Just call me Se�or Alberto. So, you are Ms. Russell�s host.�

�Okay, Al,� Paul sneered. �Time to explain yourself.�

The Boss looked Paul up and down and smiled. �An old acquaintance of mine stole something that belongs to me and sold it off. Now, since I can�t have my merchandise, I want my money.�

�And you think kidnapping Diane and her baby is going to be economically fortuitous because...�

�She has the money my former acquaintance sent her in a bank account. It�s very simple. I want that money transferred to my account. We�re going to the bank to do that right now. Feel free to join us.�

�You�re one hell of a mugger,� Paul said with amazement, puffing his air out and rubbing his temple. �Ms. Russell stood a better chance with the muggers in Central Park.�

�We�ll be on our way now. I need to return to the city to get a decent cup of coffee,� Se�or Alberto said, looking calmly at his manicured fingernails.

�Have you considered that maybe Ms. Russell�s money has nothing to do with you or your merchandise?�

�Be reasonable, Mr. Matisse. I know you, uh, my acquaintance, didn�t have that kind of money on his own. His sudden wealth coincided with the disappearance of my merchandise.�

�An unfortunate coincidence. In fact, he had no access to your merchandise on the day in question. He was out of the loop by that point, remember? But your boy in the Customs unit was the one who made the bust and the log entries. Have you met with him yet about your little accounting problem?�

�A sad occurrence, really. His past caught up with him, and Mr. Sotomayor, unfortunately, didn�t survive his visit to the ever-hospitable Riker�s Island community.�

�Well, Ms. Russell�s money came from a different source, all the same.� Paul knew he hadn�t concealed the dismay on his face when Se�or Alberto�s snide grin pierced him.

Diane turned around, looking angry and anxious. �Look, I don�t care about the money. So, can we have this conversation later, please? All I care about is my baby.�