"Let me go, beanpole," she responded, turning to glower back at me before starting to kick again.

"Listen to me, Harry," Nick said. "You've got to let the kid go right this minute and walk away."

"What?" I said. "Nick, the Astors are going to give us twenty-five grand to return her before nine p.m."

"I got some bad news, Harry. They aren't going to pay us the money."

I winced. "Ouch. Maybe I should just drop her off at the nearest precinct house, then."

"The news gets worse. The parents reported the girl kidnapped. The police band is sending two descriptions around town to Chicago PD, and they match guess who."

"Mickey and Donald?"

"Heh," Nick said. I heard him flick his Bic and take a drag. "We should be so lucky."

"I guess it's more embarrassing for Mr. and Mrs. High-and-Mighty to have their kid run away than it is to have her kidnapped."

"Hell. Kidnapped girl gives them something to talk about at their parties for months. Makes them look richer and more famous than their friends, too. Of course, we'll be in jail, but what the hell?"

"They came to us," I protested.

"That won't be the way they tell it."

"Dammit," I said.

"If you get caught with her, it could be trouble for both of us. The Astors got connections. Ditch the girl and get back home. You were there all night."

"No, Nick," I said. "I can't do that."

"Let the boys in blue bring her in. That'll clear you and me both."

"I'm up on North Avenue, and it's after dark. I'm not leaving a nine-year-old girl out here by herself."

"Ten," shouted the girl, furious. "I'm ten, you insensitive jerk!" She started kicking again, and I kept myself more or less out of the way of her feet.

"She sounds so cute. Just let her run, Harry, and let the criminal types beware."