“Stone,” Kramer said, “give me one good quote for my piece.”

“The defense is absolutely shocked at this outrageous verdict. In the United States this case would have been dismissed out of hand, and now we face the prospect of St. Marks executing an innocent American woman who has already been devastated by the entirely natural death of her husband. If this happens, no American will ever be safe in St. Marks again. I urge every American who cares about justice to wire or fax the prime minister of St. Marks in protest.”

“Great!” Kramer replied.

“Hilary, I know it’s late, but this piece isn’t going to do Allison any good if it runs the day after tomorrow. Is there any way you can get it into tomorrow’s edition?”

“I may have to break some legs, but I’ll get it done.”

“Thanks; I have to go now.”

Thomas was waiting at the door. “How is she?”

“Much better; she’s eating, anyway. Can you run me to the marina, then let me borrow your car to get back here?”

“Of course; let’s go.”

As they pulled up at the marina, Stone saw the fast motor yacht that Allison had previously chartered pulling into a berth.

“What’s that doing back?” Thomas asked.

“It’s been in Guadeloupe waiting for a call from Allison to pick her up. Would you tell them that Mrs. Chapman has been delayed and to stick around until tomorrow? I hope she’ll be here to go aboard.”

“Sure.” Thomas handed over his car keys, then walked off toward the big motor yacht.

Stone went aboard Expansive and ran down below. In a moment he had the satellite phone up and running and a call in to Bill Eggers’s home.

“Hello?”

“Thank God you’re there,” Stone said.

“Stone! What’s up? How did the trial go?”

“She was convicted.”

“What?”

“I’m not kidding, Bill, and we’ve got less than twenty-four hours to save her life. Here’s what I want you to do.”

“I’ve got a pencil; shoot.”

“Start with the State Department: call the duty officer and ask him to alert the Caribbean desk that an innocent American citizen is about to be hanged in St. Marks. Demand that they call the secretary of state and have him bring to bear every ounce of influence he can muster. No, wait—first call the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee—it’s Jesse Helms, God help us—and get him to call the secretary of state. Call Senators Dodd and Lieberman of Connecticut and get them onto him as well. Hell, tell them to call the president.”

“You think they’ll do that?”