"You're too ill to drive," Jeff said flatly. He'd paused at the turn in the corridor. "I'll take you home. Your car will be returned to you later in the day."

She was too weak to argue, which meant he was right about her being in no shape to drive. Slowly she staggered after him. Maggie held her hand.

"Snowball says she wants to sleep with you when we get home," Maggie said sleepily as they walked through the building. "She's magic and she'll make you feel better."

Ashley knew that her daughter wouldn't give up her favorite toy lightly. Touched by the gesture, she smiled at her child. "I think you're the magic one."

Maggie giggled, her curls dancing. "I'm just little, Mommy. There's no place for the magic to go. If I was bigger, there could be some."

Ashley was too tired to point out that Snowball was smaller still. But then, favorite toys were always special in ways that grown-ups didn't understand.

They stepped out into the misting morning to find Jeff holding open the rear door of an impressive black sedan. Ashley didn't have to see the BMW emblem on the hood to know that the car was expensive. Very expensive. If she could make even close to what this car cost, all her troubles would be solved.

She hesitated before sliding across the soft, gray leather. It was cool and smooth and soft. Whatever you do, don't throw up, she told herself firmly.

It took only a few seconds to secure her daughter and herself in safety belts. With her arm around Maggie, Ashley leaned back and closed her eyes. Just a few more minutes, she told herself. Fifteen at most. Then she would be home and crawling into her own bed.

"I need your address."

The voice came out of the blackness. Ashley had to rouse herself to speak and even then it was difficult to form words. She started to give him directions, as well, but Jeff informed her he knew the area. She didn't doubt him. He was the kind of man who knew just about everything.