Instead of combing through her things, he inverted the purse and deposited the contents onto the sofa. The ringing cell phone fell out, accompanied by myriad other things. Veronica s.n.a.t.c.hed it up before he could offer it to her.

"Ask for the photograph."

The grim reminder hovering over her, she pressed the "on" b.u.t.ton. She tilted the phone so that Chad could hear, as well.

"h.e.l.lo?"

"Don't sound so breathless, Ronnie," the voice on the other end mocked. "Did you think I wasn't going to call?"

Strength. She had to come from a position of strength, Veronica told herself.

Otherwise, the kidnapper was going to win. She did her best to sound calm. "You took a long time to call back."

"I was just giving you time to get the money together, Ronnie." The mocking note faded abruptly as the kidnapper got down to business. "Do you have it?"

Veronica's eyes automatically lowered to the briefcase. "Yes, I have it."

"Good, then-"

Her heart hammering, Veronica looked up at Chad, seeking strength there. As if reading her mind, he nodded his encouragement. Holding the cell phone tightly, she took a deep breath, fortifying herself.

"Before I give it to you, I want to make sure that Casey's "still-" she couldn't bring herself to say the word that hovered on her lips. "-still all right."

"He's fine," the voice snapped impatiently.

She didn't want to anger the kidnapper, but Chad was right. She needed to know that Casey wasn't harmed. She needed proof to allay her own fears. "No, I want to see for myself. I want you to take a picture of him holding up today's LA. Times."

"Look, b.i.t.c.h, this isn't some photo shoot you're setting up. You don't dictate to me, understand? This is my show."

Veronica could feel every part of her trembling inside, but she knew she mustn't back down. This was important. She plumbed the depths of her soul for courage, unconsciously leaning into Chad, taking strength from the warmth of his body.

She raised her voice. ''And my son, my money. I don't care where you leave that photograph, but I want it. Otherwise, no deal."

A string of obscenities came at her, making her wince. But she held her ground.

"All right, you'll get your d.a.m.n photograph. It'll be on a shelf in the women's rest room at West-wood Park in two hours." The kidnapper paused, then added, "I didn't think you had it in you, Ronnie." The laugh would have been cold and harsh even without the metallic sound that vibrated in her ear.

The second the connection broke, she felt the room begin to spin. Perspiration came from nowhere, instantly drenching her.

Chad caught her just as her knees buckled.

Veronica could feel the contents of her stomach coming up her throat. A bitter taste materialized in her mouth. She tried to push him away.

"No, don't hold me," she cried. "I'm going to be sick."

Instead of releasing her the way she thought he would, Chad picked her up in his arms and carried her to the bathroom.

He set her down, and her feet had just touched the tile when the retching seized her. Rather than retreat, Chad flipped the toilet seat up and helped her to her knees. He held her hair out of the way as she purged the sickness gripping her insides. She retched so hard, tears came to her eyes.

Slowly the trembling began to subside.

Concerned, Chad waited a second longer, still holding her hair back, one arm

around her waist for support. He'd felt every wave as it had come up.

Then, when it looked as if it over, he loosened his arm from her waist. "All done?" he asked.

"Uh-huh." Feeling as if she'd just been turned inside out, she didn't have enough strength in her body to give anything but a feeble grunt.

Carefully bringing Veronica to her feet, Chad pushed the lid back down and then sat her on top of the commode. He let the cold water in the sink run for several seconds before reaching for one of the embroidered washcloths on the towel rack. He glanced at the lettering as he pa.s.sed the cloth under the faucet.

"Get a lot of people making off with your washcloths?" Wringing the cloth out, he placed it on the back of her neck.

The contact startled her and she jumped. She was only vaguely aware of his question. "What?"

"The washcloths-you have initials on them."

She tried to focus. "They were a gift from my mother-in-law. Subtle hint. She didn't like me keeping my name." Her fingers met his as she took possession of the cloth, bringing it around to her face.

When Veronica finally raised her eyes to his again, they were clearer. She was beginning to feel human again. "Thank you."

Chad muttered something unintelligible in response. He'd never found a way to gracefully handle someone else's grat.i.tude and mostly he ignored it. "Can you walk?"

"I think so." But she wasn't all that certain she could.

Before she could test her legs, he picked her up in his arms again. She looked at him in surprise.

Chad avoided her eyes. "Better not take any chances." He carried her back out to the sofa, thinking that he could have easily forgotten he was holding anything. If it hadn't been for the scent she wore. It seemed to be stealing into him like the mist at dusk. "You don't eat enough," he told her gruffly, trying to shake off the feeling that was stealing over him, as well. "You don't feel as if you weigh anything."

"Sounds like the voice of experience," she answered, still weak. "Do you carry women around often?"

He liked her smile. It did resemble her son's, he realized. "No, not often.

You're the first. There's never been any need to." Placing her on the sofa, Chad glanced at his watch. "We have two hours. I'm going to check in with the office, see if anyone's made any progress. Why don't I have Angela make you some tea to settle your stomach?"

Veronica pressed her hand against her stomach. "I don't think I can keep it down."

"If you can't keep anything down, you're not coming with me."

She had no doubt that he meant it. "You can't get into the women's room without me."

"I'll manage."

"I'll drink."

Chad smiled, satisfied. "I kind of thought you might."

Savannah had already done a cursory pa.s.s through most of the names on the list from Children's Parties, Inc., when he called her. To his disappointment, but hardly surprise, there wasn't anything to go on, at least, Savannah qualified, not yet. There was still cross-referencing to do. But so far, there was no one with as much as a warning for littering. Nothing beyond a few traffic tickets blemished the records of the people hired by Children's Parties.

The only thing of interest, Savannah said just as he was about to hang up, was that Veronica's brother-in-law, Neil, was having difficulties with his creditors.