�Wait one second there!� Paul shouted as he entered the vice president�s office.

�Paul,� Diane said through gritted teeth, �this is not the time. I want my son back, and I don�t care what it takes.�

�I do care. I don�t think we should just let this guy ransom our son like this. I mean, what�s next? He takes the whole island hostage to get twice as much?�

�Make your point on international terrorism with someone else�s kid. Besides, I don�t want anything to do with your dirty money. I�m sure some kid died on the street today because of that money,� Diane choked on her words and tears filled her eyes.

�Because of a lottery ticket?� Bob scowled.

�What?� Diane sniffled, but hope colored her voice.

Bob handed her the letter from the New York State Lottery Commission that Paul had given him earlier. Diane scanned it quickly, and sighed with relief. As she read, Paul walked over to the vice president and filled him in.

�Can you set up a mock transfer so we can get this guy to return her baby?�

�Let me call some people and set it up,� he said, and a flurry of activity began all around him as international and federal agents materialized and set themselves to work on the ruse.

A mobile phone in Diane�s bag rang. Paul shushed everyone in the room so she could answer it without arousing the caller�s suspicions.

�Hello?� Diane�s voice was tense. �How is he?...It�s a fair question, don�t you think?...Okay, great. Thanks...Not yet...Well, it�s a small bank on a small island. They�re not used to transferring that kind of money without checking it out. It�s all going smoothly...Well, it�s not St. Thomas, so give them a little extra time.� She looked nervously over at the vice president, who flashed his open palms at her twice. �Maybe twenty minutes?� Diane said, watching the vice president�s face. She relaxed as he nodded. �Okay, I�ll see you there in an hour.�

�Where?� Paul asked, holding Diane in his arms and rubbing her back gently.

�The airport. They have a private jet. I�m supposed to pick up Michael there once Se�or Alberto calls his bank and confirms the transfer is completed,� Diane said, unable to meet his eyes. �Paul, I�m sorry. I�m so sorry I didn�t believe you.�

�Well,� Paul whispered, ducking his head to catch her eyes, �I didn�t exactly have the best track record with you.�