“What does that mean?” Amy asked. On the whole she was still subdued, but the threads of the cocoon had cracked, the butterfly stirred. Or was she a moth? Kelly was not yet sure if she liked or even trusted the woman. Amy’s eyes darted over the three of them, wanting to hear only good news.

“He wants us to know Jimmy was alive as recently as two days ago,” Kelly said. “He wants his money. If we give him what he wants, he’s saying he will give us what we want.”

Amy closed her eyes. “Thank God.”

Kelly turned to Sharp. “Find anything interesting?”

Sharp shook his head. “No. I’ll go over it again at the lab but he wiped everything clean with acid. Even the paper.”

Kelly winced. “Not strong acid?”

“No. Of course not. But I’m already sure his formula destroyed any microscopic evidence.” Sharp nodded. “He knows our procedures.”

“Maybe he’s a cop,” Kelly suggested.

Charlie snorted. “Only in the movies.”

“I’m not so sure,” Kelly said.

“He reads a lot of thrillers is all,” Charlie said. “Let’s focus on what we’ve got.” He gestured for Sharp to put the plastic-sealed note on the table so that they could all read it. The demand was printed on plain white paper, eight and a half by eleven, the words formed by a laser printer. Sharp wasn’t going to get anything off it. But the note itself—here there was a chest of psychological riches yet to be explored.

Dear Amy and David,

I have your son, he is doing well. If you would like to see him again, you will have to cooperate. I want a million dollars in unmarked, unsequenced, one hundred dollar bills; along with two million dollars worth of round diamonds-the cut and color of the highest quality—ranging in size from one to three carats. I know you have already spoken to the FBI, but if you call them on this matter you will regret it They cannot help you anyway. In the next few days you will be contacted as to how and where the ransom is to be delivered. I have selected David to do the honors. Afraid, Mr. Techer?

Once again, the money, the diamonds, and the bag the valuables are to be delivered in are not to be tampered with. If I see any FBI the day of the delivery, Jimmy will lose a father.

Yours, Falling

Amy was worried. “He says I shouldn’t have called you guys.”

“He would say that as a matter of course,” Charlie replied in a reassuring tone.

“He expects us to be here,” Kelly added.

“How can you be sure?” Amy asked.

“Because he’s smart,” Kelly said.

“Why does he call himself Falling?” Amy asked.

“An interesting question,” Kelly said, looking to Sharp and her partner.

Charlie spoke. “It’s more interesting that he threatens David, and not the child.”