The little girl was cute, with a bright green ribbon in her black hair. She had big brown doe eyes. The woman was reed-thin and ethereal. To Luke, she had the air of a woman who spent her days reading about the latest fashions in Paris and Milan, and what the British royalty were up to. She had probably awakened this morning thinking she had seen and done it all.

Not anymore. Now she stared straight ahead. Luke had seen people in that state before, many times. The woman was in shock.

Luke forced the drivers seat up and climbed into the back with them. He crouched low, in case one of those gunmen out there lost their discipline. He wedged himself deep at the feet of the little girl.

You are a madman, Nassar said.

Luke ignored him. He looked at the little girl instead, and past her.

The man in the back had hit hard. He was either unconscious, or dead.

What is your name? Luke said.

The girl was terrified, but still she spoke. Sofia.

Hush, child! Do not speak to him!

Sofia, what a pretty name for a pretty girl. Okay, Sofia, I want you to do something for me. Its really very easy. I want you to unclip your seat belt and come to me.

Nassar moved to unclip his own seat belt. Dont you dare...

Luke pointed the gun at his head. Say another word.

Please dont hurt him, Sofia said. Tears began to roll down her cheeks.

I wont hurt him, Sofia, but I need you to come to me.

The girl did exactly as she was told. She undid her seat belt and moved to Luke gracefully, like a tiny animal. He wrapped a gentle arm around her as if she was his own child.

Outside the car, the gunmen had arrived. They were both on the same side of the car, the left. They pointed their guns through the windows. The rear window was shattered. All it would take was for one of them to lose his cool. There would be a bloodbath in this car.

Thats far enough! he shouted to the men. Weve got a woman and a child in here. If you fire those guns, youre going to kill us all.

They didnt care. Outside the car, one of the men slid his Uzi behind his back. He pulled a handgun and pointed it through the hole where the window once was.

BOOM!

The glass shattered as one of them fired into it.

The girl screamed as Luke held her, and he saw the bullet mark in the leather seat, just an inch from her head. Luckily, theyd missed. She might not be so lucky next time, he knew. Strangely, Luke found himself worrying more about the girl than he did himself.