The Target

Dick when I was five years old."

    "I understand that Molly was reading very early on as well. That's remarkable."

    Mason Lord had forgotten that. He nodded. "Come to my study. It's quiet there." He shut the double oak doors, cutting off the repulsive sound of that game show in the living room and all those shouting low-class slugs.

    Ramsey said without preamble, "I understand that when you heard that Louey Santera had beaten Molly you were out there like a flash. That was well done."

    Mason Lord stared at the big man standing in front of his desk, at ease, his face open, his expression even admiring.

    He wouldn't have even gone to Denver if it hadn't been for what Louey had done. "I wasn't about to let that little creep hurt one of mine."

    And that was the bottom line for Mason Lord, Ramsey thought, relieved and pleased. "And naturally you'd feel the same about Emma. She's also one of yours. Who do you think is behind this?"

    "It's a kidnapping. Louey is rich-well, not as rich as he was before my daughter divorced him, but he's doing very

    well. His European tours net him literally millions, the wretched little shit."

    "No, it's not just a kidnapping. I told you there were a lot more men after us. How many more people would you need to mount a tracking operation like that? Say at least two more, all of them professionals. Not a kidnapping, sir. Something else. I'd stake a lot on that." Ramsey paused a moment, then said, "I'm sorry to have to tell you, but you don't know yet that Emma was taken to a cabin in the woods, high in the Rockies, and sexually abused and beaten. It's another thing we have to think about. Emma needs to see a doctor and a child psychiatrist. She has nightmares. Neither Molly nor I have spoken about this because we're afraid of making things worse."

    The blood drained from Mason Lord's face. For a moment Ramsey thought he'd be sick-that, or explode. He did neither. Gradually the color returned. His breathing was slow now, calm.

    He looked directly at Ramsey. "The bastards have just signed their death warrants."

    "I shouldn't, but I feel the same way."

    "You're supposed to uphold justice and the precious laws that protect scum like that."

    "Yes," Ramsey said. "I'm supposed to uphold the rights of all sorts of scum."

    Mason Lord looked at him sharply, but Ramsey's expression didn't change. "As much as I don't want to even consider it, you're probably right that there's got to be either a connection to me or to Louey. I will think about that. Actually, I'd already spoken to Buzz Carmen about my enemies being behind this. We'll see."

    "I want to leave Molly and Emma here with you. At least here I know they'll be safe."

    "Just what will you do that I can't?"

    "Your people didn't do much of anything in Colorado. No, my resources are more far-reaching."

    "Just who are your resources other than a whole bunch of cops and lawyers in San Francisco?"

    Ramsey shook his head. "You wouldn't approve, so I'll just keep that information under my collar."

    Mason Lord felt red creeping up his neck. He rose slowly, his palms flat on the beautiful mahogany desktop, but he didn't have time to say anything. The door opened and his daughter walked in. She was smiling. She said to her father, "Have I missed much? I'm sorry for being late, but Emma wasn't ready to go to sleep. You know, it's true- a mother's work is never done. Now, tell me what you're thinking and I'll tell you what I think."

    Ramsey winked at Mason Lord. "Might as well, sir. She's got a really good brain. It'd be stupid not to use it. You should have seen her drive the getaway car."

    Mason Lord heard the mindless music from the game show. He shouldn't have, not in his soundproofed study. Had she turned the volume up? He looked at his daughter's face. "Go back to see to your daughter."

    "Your granddaughter is peachy. She's with Miles. Let's talk."

    "Go watch the game show with Eve."

    "I don't know Eve. I don't like game shows. Actually, on my list of priorities at this moment, neither of those is very high."

    He wanted to tell her to butt out, that this was his home and he was the boss here. Then he looked at her eyes, filled with pain and defiance and determination.

    "Well, hell," he said.

    Ramsey Hunt smiled and nodded at him. He still had to tell Molly that he was leaving her and Emma here. He'd been avoiding it. He wondered if she'd take him apart. But he had to do something.

    Molly smiled at him, patting his arm. "Don't