One of the guests, a man with a shock of white hair and a ruby ring large as a paperweight, strode toward the officers as he pulled the cigar from between his teeth.

What the hell is this? he demanded. You cant be herethis is private property!

Harley left the car and looked around, taking stock of the situation. A few of the serving girls had disappeared through a side door, but it didnt appear any of the guests had fled. Good. Better to keep them all in the open, like a herd of cattle.

She approached the man with the ruby ring.

We have reason to believe this facility is being used to run a prostitution ring, she said.

His face showed no signs of shockonly outrage. FBI, is it? he demanded in a quivering voice. Whos your superior officer?

Harley jabbed a thumb over her shoulder at Callaway, who was a few paces behind her. It wasnt technically true, but at least it would get the man off her back. Then, moving around the infuriated guest, Harley headed toward the glass doors leading into the villa. Callaway could sort that problem out. He was the lead on the case, after all.

The music continued to pulse from the loudspeakers. Will someone shut that off? Harley shouted, but her voice was drowned out by the noise. Most of the officers, following her instructions, had rounded up the guests and were keeping a close eye on them, while a few others kept watch over the five or six young women who had not escaped into the building. Callaway was still dealing with his new friend.

Okay, Harley thought, taking a deep breath as she opened the glass door. I guess Ill find Roth on my own.

Entering the building, she strode immediately toward the corkscrew staircase, expecting to find Roth in one of the upper rooms. She was only halfway up the stairs, however, when she heard footsteps above her.

A shadow cast by an unseen light grew to monstrous proportions on the wall ahead of her, and she felt a surge of adrenaline. Would Roth come willingly? He had to know he was trapped. Would he fight?

Roth? she called as the shadow approached. Better to stop him there and avoid the confusion of a close encounter in the confines of the stairwell.

The shadow paused, but it did not stop. It grew larger, the footsteps louder. Then a man rounded the corner and towered over Harley only a few steps away.

Help you, agent? came Felixs soft, inquisitive voice. His hands hung at his sides, empty.

Harleys shoulders relaxed. Wheres Roth?

Please dont say he left, she thought. Please dont say he left.

In the dimness of the stairwell, Felixs face was all teeth and eyes. Warrant, please, he said.

Actually we dont need one for this, Harley answered with undisguised enjoyment. All we need is probable causeand we have plenty of it.