"Congratulations, Alex!" said Carl, "I hear you have a daughter."

Alex grunted and returned to his contemplation of the newspaper.

"Shocking, isn't it?" said Carl, referring to the headlines. Stavros had read them to him, so he knew that they concerned the series of daring robberies which had taken place in the museums of Greece in the last week.

(Note: If you were expecting a blow-by-blow description of HOW Carl robbed the museums, I'm not that ingenious. Go rent THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR, or my personal favorite caper film, TOPKAPI.)

"What do you know of these robberies, Carl?" said Nikos, "What will be on that ship?"

"Do you really Care, Alex?" said Carl, "Don't pretend that you are upset at the loss of a few items from the museums you never take the time to visit!"

"I am taking a big risk." said Nikos, "I want More money!"

"Of course you do!" said Carl, with an evil grin.

***

When their negotiations were complete, Carl asked if he could see the baby.

"Why?"

"For one thing, I should like to congratulate her mother."

"For what? For failing to give me a son?"

Diana was feeding the baby when the men entered the nursery. Nikos made a little sound of distaste.

"Tch! Cover yourself, Diana! We have a visitor."

"Don't trouble yourself on My account." said Carl, "Hello, Little One."

He looked down at the tiny scrap of humanity in Diana's arms. It was obvious already that she took after her mother. Carl held out a finger, and she gripped it with her small hand; he was surprised by her strength.

"She's lovely." he said, "What have you named her?"

"Zoe." said Diana, kissing the top of her baby's head.

"Zoe - that means 'Life'," said Carl.

"I have business to take care of." said Nikos, and left the room. Carl waited until he heard the front door close behind him.

"Diana, " he said, "I meant what I said in my letters. I want you with me, always! Leave Nikos, and come away with me!"

"How can I?" said Diana, "I want to be with you, but how can I leave my baby? Alex doesn't love her! He never holds her or kisses her; he barely looks at her! She's not a son, so she means Nothing to him!"

"Who said anything about leaving her?" said Carl, "Both of you come with me! I like children; I shall love Your child!"

"Do you mean that?"

"Of course I mean it!"

"Then, - Yes! We will go with you!"

They kissed passionately.

"I shall make all the arrangements." said Carl, "Do you have a passport? In a few days , I shall be loading a very special cargo onto one of Alex's ships; we can leave as soon as it's loaded. We shall go to the South of France; it's beautiful! You'll like it there."

"It doesn't matter where we go, as long as we are together." said Diana.