Marble Rose nodded. She rooted around in her purse for a slip of paper. "I'm a little nervous about traveling with a lot of money. She handed Lizzie the envelope containing her winnings. Can you wire the monies to the account number I wrote on the envelope? I hate this place," she blurted.

"Yeah, me, too," Lizzie said, leading the way to the elevator. She looked around for a sign of Cosmo Cricket but couldn't see him. Her face suddenly felt warm at the thought of the big man.

When they left the elevator and entered Alvin Lansing's office, introductions were made, then Lansing suggested they all move to a larger conference room where he said they would be more comfortable. He stepped aside to allow the two women to precede him. He made small talk with Homer Winters on the walk down a narrow hall to the larger room. Noticeably absent from the group was Hank Owens.

After five seconds, Lizzie decided that this particular conference room had been decorated so people would relax and doze off. The walls were a soothing misty green. The carpet was one shade deeper, the upholstered chairs on wheels were evergreen in color. The long conference table had a soft, muted, watery-green marble top. Trees that looked like weeping willows nestled in the corners. Underneath one of them was a small decorative waterfall almost concealed by the dangling fronds from the tree. The sounds of trickling water over polished stones was beyond restful. The misty green walls were covered with children's art, bright in color. All were signed. Homer Winters was pointing them out to the room at large, saying it was the children's way of thanking him for the pediatric wing he'd donated to the local hospital.

At the end of the table was a huge silver coffee urn with a waiter ready to serve croissants, coffee, and fresh fruit. As tantalizing as the coffee smelled, and as luscious as the croissants and fruit looked, everyone declined and sat down. The waiter shrugged and left the room.

The lawyers got down to business while Homer Winters carried on a conversation with Marble Rose about children and their art. Ted Robinson discreetly tapped out messages on the BlackBerry on his lap. Peter Udal was listening intently to both Winters and the lawyers as they bickered. He turned, his ears picking up the change in Lizzie Fox's tone.

"Look at me, Mr. Lansing!" Lizzie commanded. "Do I look to you like I talk just to hear myself? Those are the numbers, and they are not going to disappear if you blink. Wire the money now or this meeting is over. Make me wait one more minute, and the price goes up by $50,000 for each minute you make me wait. This establishment is guilty of everything I've outlined for you. One more minute, and I will be filing so many lawsuits your head will spin. The clock is ticking."