Rick turned away. There was so much blistering rage in him right then that he wanted to throw something across the room just to see it explode. He needed something to crush, to smash, to rip apart with his hands. He wished it could be Gwen.

Shed cried so much in the last few hours that the blindfold was soggy.

Her mouth was dry and her jaw hurt from being forced open with the gag.

Her wrists were rubbed raw from whatever kind of rough rope hed used to restrain her. Josie had to pee so badly she didnt think she could hold it another second. And whatever drug hed given her had made her terribly nauseous.

She heard nothing. No sounds of a TV or water running or someone walking around. Nobody breathing. Wherever she was, it smelled clean, like a hotel. But it had none of the background noise of a hotel, just a faint sound of cars in the distance.

Have you decided to cooperate?

Josie would have hit the ceiling if she hadnt been tied down. He must have been next to her the whole time, staring at her! She nodded her head as much as she could, given the restraints.

Here is our agreement. The man came very close, and Josie could smell his alcohol-saturated breath. You will do what youre told. You will not scream or try to escape. I have a gun and I plan to shoot you at some point, but the better behaved you are, the longer Ill delay the inevitable. Do you agree?

Josie didnt care much for that arrangement, but she nodded.

She felt the man move behind her and his hands touch the back of her head. The blindfold fell away and the light hurt her eyes. The gag went next. Then the man started cutting the ropes. As soon as she was able, Josie jumped to her feet and tried to run. She slammed straight down into the carpet. The office chair was still tied to her ankles.

So impatient.

Josie twisted her body to look at him. He certainly looked the partin his sixties, distinguished, arrogant, filled with hate, a handgun in his belt. You must be Bennett Cummings, she said He smiled as he cut the ropes from her feet. You know about me.

Yeah, Josie said, wiping the drool off her chin and rubbing her jaw.

Youre the psycho whos after Rick.

Charming way to phrase it, the man said, gathering the cut ropes off the floor. Of course, youve left out a few pertinent details.

I know about Margot. It was an accident. Rick is a good man.

When Cummings straightened up, his eyes were filled with loathing. You poor, gullible, naпve, stupid thing. He shook his head, then placed the pile of rope on a nearby side chair. He yanked the office chair away and put it up against the wall. He pulled the gun from his belt, cocked it, and pointed it at her. Get up. Ill show you your accommodations.

Josie scrambled to her feet, but her legs felt like Jell-O. She almost fell, but he caught her.

Miss Sheehan, my back cannot withstand dragging you around any more than I already have, so please try to stay on your feet. He turned her body around and shoved the gun into her right kidney. The bathroom is this way.

Josie relieved her bladder, noting the sore and bruised spot on the back of her thigh where Cummings had jabbed her with a needlethe last thing she remembered before waking up bound and gagged. She splashed cold water on her face and swished out her mouth. She also ran water over her scraped and bloody wrists and patted them dry with a fluffy white towel.

There were no windows in the bathroom, just a small linen closet and truckloads of the finest marble and granite money could buy. Wherever she was being held captive, it was top-of-the-line all the way.

Josie took a moment to steady herself before she opened the door. She breathed deep. The reality was that Cummings had a gun. She didntand even if she did, she wouldnt know how to use it. So she would have to find another way to deal with him. Josie figured the longer she stayed missing the more intense the search for her would become. So she had to stay alive as long as possible, doing whatever was necessary, until Rick found her.

That was her plan.

A wave of sorrow hit her. She knew Rick would be insane with worry. He was probably blaming himself. She wished there was a way to reassure him.

Hurry up in there.

Josie opened the bathroom door to find Cummings waiting, gun still drawn. There is no way out of here, of course, he said. Ill give you a complete tour. That way, you wont waste the precious remaining hours of your life looking for a way to outsmart me.

Sounds fun. Josie noticed how Cummings eyed her injured wrists and looked away quickly, as if the sight disturbed him.

Josie decided to keep him talking. So, you were expecting me?

I was expecting your boyfriend, actually. But I decided youd be more fun.

What did you shoot me up with? Josie pointed to the back of her leg.

Just a generic animal tranquilizer I purchased off the Internet. You shouldnt have any long-term side effectsnot that youll need to worry about that. He smiled and used his gun to herd her into the other room.

You must be famished. I know I am.

Rick rubbed Genghis behind the ears, comforted by the warm weight of the dogs body up against his legs. Taking advantage of the moment of privacy, Rick bent down and buried his nose in the dogs fur, inhaling the mellow sweetness of Josies scent. He wondered how long her essence would cling to the dogs woolly coat.

He gathered all the strength left inside him, and willed himself not to break down.

Teeny quietly entered the study. Gwen wants to talk to you.

I cant stand to look at her, Rick said, his face still buried in Genghiss curls. Get her out of here as soon as possible.

Shes giving the FBI some decent information, Teeny continued.

Apparently, Cummings came to her place wearing a mustache, wig, and ball cap. She described his clothes in detail. And based on what Gwens said, it sounds like hes carrying a 45.-caliber semiautomatic.

Rick looked up. Does Gwen know where he is?

No, Teeny said.

Then shes useless. Rick straightened up in the leather chair.

Teeny had the saddest look on his face. She wants to apologize.

Not necessary.

The door opened. Gwen stepped in. /Who does she think she is?/ Rick averted his eyes.

I am truly sorry, she whispered. What I did was selfish, conceited, and petty. I have no excuse.

Forget this, Gwen, Teeny said. I think you should go.

Wait. Rick stood up, noticing for the first time that Gwen looked like hell. Her head was bowed in shame. Hed never seen her with a single hair out of place, let alone a disheveled mess. She seemed more human to him this way.

Rick sighed, closing his eyes from the weight of the truth. Thats all any of them werehuman. And to be human was to be a fuckup just waiting to happen. All of them. Without exception.

Damn you, Gwen, he said.

She nodded, the tears coming. I dont expect you to forgive me. Ill never forgive myself. She turned to go.

Rick cursed under his breath. He must be crazy. Come here, he said. She turned to him and he opened his arms to her. He patted her on the back as she sobbed.

I didnt want anyone to get hurt! Gwen wailed. Oh, my God! I am so sorry!

Teenys eyes were huge as he looked down on the unlikely drama. Rick managed a weak smile, then pushed Gwen away. Hed suddenly thought of something so obvious it was ridiculous.

Hey, Gwen, how did Cummings know he could come to you?

Gwen blinked. He wrote me before Margot died. He said he was interested in a mutually beneficial business arrangement. Gwens eyes flashed to Teeny. I decided not to tell you.

Jesus, Teeny whispered.

Here. Gwen dug into the front pocket of her sweatpants and handed Rick a business card. After you told me you were in love with Josie, I left a message at this number. I wanted to make you pay.