“It’s foreigners all right,” I said, “but Daniel thinks it’s the new Italian gang, the Cosa Nostra.”

“My dear, I’ve heard about them. Utterly ruthless. What has Daniel done to upset them?”

“Arrested their leader, I gather. He’s had orders to shut them down. He feared they would retaliate and now they have.” I felt tears close to the surface again and looked away, not wanting him to see me cry.

Ryan, more sensitive than most men, picked up a ham sandwich and waved it in front of my face. “Eat,” he said. “You’ll feel better. And finish that toddy too.”

I did as he commanded, mechanically chewing at the bread, although it was hard to swallow.

“That’s my girl,” he said, stroking my cheek. “Now, you remember my former friend Fritz Birnbaum, the German doctor, don’t you?”

“Of course I do,” I said.

“Much as I find it repugnant, having not separated on the best of terms, I will swallow my pride and see if he’s in his rooms. I think a doctor should take a look at you and maybe give you a sedative or a shot of morphine or something.”

“I don’t want a sedative,” I said. “I want to be awake when Daniel returns. How could I sleep knowing that he’s out there and in danger?”

“And your injuries? Don’t they need treating?”

“I don’t think there’s much wrong with me,” I said. “A nasty bump on the back of my head and a few cuts and bruises, otherwise I’m fine.”

“I think you should let a doctor examine you, just in case. And what about your baby there? Is he definitely all right?”

Until now it hadn’t crossed my mind that anything could be wrong with Liam. Daniel had said he’d been found quite unharmed. He seemed to be sleeping peacefully enough. I turned him over and opened his blanket to examine his chubby little limbs. He awoke, looked at me, and gave a sleepy smile. As I bent to kiss him his eyelids fluttered closed again. I heaved a sigh of relief.

“He looks perfect. Thank you, Ryan. You’ve been very kind.”

“Then you should try to sleep.”

“I can’t see myself falling asleep tonight.”

“I have some divine cocaine in my room. One little sniff of that and you’ll feel marvelous. I always take it when I’m tense. Or opium? I’m sure I know someone who can find you some opium. They say it gives lovely dreams.”

I had to laugh again and put my hand on his. “Ryan, stop, please. No, thank you. I don’t think my husband would want to come home and find his wife drugged. Besides I want to stay awake to protect Liam.”

“I’ll stay with you, if you like, and keep guard.”

I nodded. “Would you? I’d like that.”

I changed Liam’s wet diaper, substituting one of the hand towels from the room, then tucked us both under the covers. Ryan sat on the bed beside me and began to hum softly. The comforting warmth of the blankets and eiderdown began to work. In spite of myself I felt my limbs becoming heavy.