“We're tough, in case you couldn't tell.” Sampson grinned. “Grrr. Nobody will ever hurt these kids. Grrr. ”

Luisa started to cry a few minutes later. She was a cute kid. I wanted to hug her, but I couldn't. “What's the matter, Luisa?” Ms. Kim asked. “Your morn or your dad will be here soon.”

“No, they won't.” The little girl shook her head. “They won't come. They never pick me up at school.”

“Someone will come,” I said in a quiet voice. “And tomorrow, everything will be fine again.”

The door to the playroom slowly opened. I looked away from the children. It was Mayor Carl Monroe come for a visit to our city's schools for the advantaged.

“You keeping out of trouble, Alex?” Mr. Mayor ded and smiled as he took in the unusual playroom e. Monroe was in his mid-forties, and ruggedly handsome. He had a full head of hair and a thick black mustache. He looked businesslike in a navy blue suit, white shirt, and bright yellow tie.

"Oh, yeah. I'm just trying to do something worthwhile with my spare time. here. Both Sampson and I are. t I

That got a mayoral chuckle. “Looks like you've succeeded. Let's take a ride. Come with me, Alex. We've got to talk over a few things.”

I said good-bye to the kids and Ms. Kim and walked with Monroe out of the school building. Maybe I'd find out what was really going on now, and why I was on the kidnapping instead of my homicide cases. And if I had any choice in the matter.

“You come in your own car, Alex?” Monroe asked as we jogged down the school's front steps.

“Mine and HFC Finance's,” I said.,

“We'll take your car. How's the S.I.T. group working out for you? The concept's strong,” he said as we continued toward the parking area. He had apparently already sent his own driver and car ahead. A man of the people, our mayor.