Michelle had to think. She couldn't let it all end here on this balcony. They'd come too far, been through too much. If Mick was here, Danny couldn't be far behind. And Selena was only a few steps away. Think!

And then it came to her. An answer so clear, so perfect. It would work.

Michelle turned and faced him. "What took you so long?"

"What?" Mick was obviously taken aback by her change in tone. He watched her eyes carefully, looking for signs of a trap.

"You know, you've really disappointed me, Mick. I gave you more credit. And after my little performance last night, I thought you'd be here sooner."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Michelle started to circle him on the balcony, moving closer to the edge. He moved closer to the door of the hotel room, still facing her. Yes, she thought. If I can get him with his back to the room...

"Of course you do. You didn't really think I'd drink that stuff, did you? But my husband had to think I had." She laughed, and to her own ears sounded as brittle as Carmen ever had.

"You knew about the poison?" Mick was watching her circling around him, trying to think, his reaction time slowed by what he was hearing. "How come you didn't call me on it? What do you want?"

"The same thing you do. Power."

Mick stopped in his tracks and started to laugh. "Nice try, babe. But I ain't buying." He stepped toward her, one hand reaching for her, the other going for the back of his pants.

Michelle, move, damn it!

She stepped in to meet him, placing both hands on his chest. The hand going for his gun stopped. Slowly, he reached around her with it and began to stroke her back. It took everything she had not to run screaming from the balcony. Instead, Michelle smiled into Mick's eyes and whispered to him.

"Do you still have it? The envelope?"

"Sure do, babe. Nothing but money in it, though."

Please, God, she thought. Let Selena come in, not Danny. I don't want him to see this. To Mick she whispered, "I know where it is."

Mick lowered his mouth to hers. She tilted her face to meet his, moaning to cover the sound of the door she was sure she heard opening, closing her eyes so she wouldn't have to look at his face.

"And you'll give it to me, Michelle? You'll give me what I want?"

Please, God, not Danny, not Danny, not Danny. She began to unbutton his shirt with one hand, the other reaching around his waist for his gun. Not Danny, not Danny, not Danny....

Her hand was almost there. If she could press herself into him a little more, she could reach...

And then she felt it, the barrel of the gun pressed against her temple. Opening her eyes, she could only stand open mouthed in shock and horror.

How?

Part 11

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