Tight-lipped, she skimmed the pages and let out a hiss between her teeth.

H.B. ordered new blue package, Bloomfield, New Jersey. Pick up between 8/22 and 8/25. Standard route, acceptance and final payment expected by 8/31. Estimated commission 25,000.

“You bitch,” Mel muttered as she closed the book. She struggled against the urge to break something, and scanned the room instead. When she was certain nothing was out of place, she started for the door.

“Oh, she’s probably off having another crying jag,” Linda said as she walked through the main door of the penthouse into the parlor. “He’ll find her.”

Mel took a quick look around and opted for the closet.

“I can’t say I’m looking forward to spending the evening with her,” Gumm said. “I doubt she’ll talk about anything but booties and baby formula.”

“We can take it, lover. Especially for twice our usual fee.” Her voice faded a bit as she walked toward the opposite bedroom. “I think it was a good idea to arrange for dinner up here. The more grateful and emotional they are, the less they’ll think. Once they have the kid, they won’t question anything.”

“Harriet’s thoughts exactly. She already has Ethan putting the wheels in motion. I was surprised when she came down to take a look at them for herself, but she’s a little more cautious since the Frost affair.”

Mel kept her breath slow and even. She pressed her fingers against the stone of her ring. Communication between people who are important to each other, she remembered, and shut her eyes. Well, here’s hoping. Come on, Donovan, get your butt up here and bring the marines.

It was risky, she knew, but she thought the odds were in her favor. Reaching into her bag, she felt the comforting bulk of her weapon. Not that way. She took a deep, bracing breath and put the account book in instead of taking the revolver out. She set her bag on the floor, then opened the closet.

“They’ll pass the merchandise to our contact in Chicago,” Gumm was saying.

“I’d like to pick him up in Albuquerque,” Linda put in. “I could always use an extra couple of thousand for the run.” Her head snapped up as Mel deliberately bumped a chair. “What the hell?”

Gumm was in the room like a shot, twisting the struggling Mel’s arms behind her. “Let me go! Jasper, you’re hurting me.”

“People who break into other people’s homes often get hurt.”

“I—I was just lying down for a while.” She made her eyes dart crazily to make the lie all the more ridiculous. “I didn’t think you’d mind.”

“What have we got here?” Linda asked.

“A plant. I should have known. I should have smelled it.”

“Cop?” Linda considered.

“Cop?” Eyes wide with alarm, Mel twisted. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was just resting.”