“Wade has made commitments on your behalf. This tour was making millions—and more is to come from the sale of CDs and pay-per-view specials. No one expected problems from you; you have a good compliance record. ‘Works hard and plays well with others.’ When you cut loose, it was not just the loss of profits.” He stopped and looked her in the eyes. “You destroyed my credibility with the Chinese. You mocked my ability to deliver. You made my deal-making a big fat joke.”

She made a show of searching the folds of her sarong. “I’d give you a quarter so you can call someone who cares.” She kneeled by Lulu and gathered up her things. “I guess that sums it up, then.”

“Wade assured us he was getting you back in line. He had seen to it that the baby vanished, except that she hadn’t—”

Still on her knees, Nola stopped, as the words dropped like hail all around her. God. Wade—not the Chinese government—had kidnapped Lulu! The proximity of the Dying Rooms to the American Embassy in Beijing had made it easy to drop her there.

Nola controlled the shaking that choked her windpipe. “Why do you tell me this?”

Mauriello got up before she did. He towered over her, but extended his hand to help her up. “Wade failed. That’s why I’m here.”

She ignored his hand and rose to her feet, holding Lulu in the crook of her arm. “And you need me to salvage your reputation? Do you think I’d give up my baby for you?”

That warm, carefree laughter returned. “Relax about the baby. I have a compromise you’ll like. And I can take care of my reputation myself. But if you help the Chinese save face, we can salvage this mammoth, make-it-or-break-it stacked deal with China, in which BRW stands to gain—or lose forever—a foothold in this colossal market.” He stretched his arms to flex his muscles. “And don’t get high and mighty on me. Success—even yours—translates into dollars, and you should be grateful the Chinese are still listening to me and did not pursue a request to extradite this baby. Not yet.”

She thought of Sharon’s report. The Chinese government was stuck, which gave Mauriello his last card. If Beijing ignored its people’s love of her, or simply let time pass, Mauriello had nothing left. To keep his power, he must not let the episode die; he must keep her star status in China.

“Are you saying that in case of such a Chinese request, the White House would extradite Lulu unless you intercede?”

“Why are you insisting on bringing everything to a head? Quiet negotiations are far more effective—”

“In this case, let me ask you: Would you have BRW quietly sponsor the opening of a decent orphanage in each Chinese city in which you do business?”