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black man with the dreadlocks and the silk T-shirt. He was slowly making his way over to them. Loreli felt the blood surge again.
    She put her hand on Liam’s shoulders and said, “Why don’t you go over and watch those guys shooting baskets.”
    “But Mommy, Dexter said—”
    “Who?” Loreli asked.
    “Dexter,” Liam said and pointed at the man who was now just a few feet from them.
     “Liam. Go.” The words came out through nearly clenched teeth.
    Liam said, “Aw, Mom, I just kicked his—I just won that game. I’m spanking him—”
    “Liam,” Loreli said, and the boy recognized the ice in her voice. He went over to where two accountants were having a spirited free throw competition and pretended to be interested. He looked back at Loreli but she stared him down until he turned back to the game.
    Loreli turned to the man Liam had called ‘Dexter.’ He put on a big smile and extended his hand.
    “I do apologize—” he said.
    “If you ever touch him again, I’ll kill you.” Loreli spat the words at him. She had never been so angry in her life. The fury spilled from her. At that moment, she knew in her heart she could kill another human being.
    Despite this, the man laughed. “Hold on, honey.”
    “I’m serious,” Loreli said, interrupting him. His smile faltered. “Come anywhere near him again and I’ll kill you myself.”
    The smile now completely disappeared from Dexter’s face. “Tell you what,” he said, looking around to make sure no one was listening, that everyone was wrapped up in their little video games, trying desperately to earn enough tickets to buy a cheap little plastic watch that probably wholesaled for about five cents.
    “Ted is into me for five grand, and he’s not taking it seriously. You help him out, get me my money, you’ll never see me again except in an erotic dream or two. Are we clear?” Dexter folded his arms across his chest.
    Loreli was stunned. Hadn’t she made herself clear? A small stab of fear pricked her insides. The man was so confident. She noticed the muscles on his arms, saw the hint of tattoos just below the sleeves of the T-shirt.
    “Listen to me,” Loreli said. She felt the heat in her face. Her tongue was dry and she was barely able to get the words out of her mouth.
    “Whoa, baby, relax...”
    “If you ever come near me or my son again I will kill you.”
    “We’ve covered that, I believe. Tell Ted—”
    “Ted is officially out of my life—has been for a long, long time. Anything you do with him is none of my business. And if you ever come near Liam again, I will rip your heart out.”
    Her voice had begun to rise and several of the nearby business people turned in their seats.
    Dexter glanced at them out of the corner of his eye and the heads quickly swiveled back to the video screens.
    Dexter sighed and shook his head. “I need my five grand in five days, honey. You do what you gotta do. And if it doesn’t happen, I’ll do what I gotta do.”
    Loreli turned on her heel toward Liam. As she walked away, she heard Dexter’s voice, low and menacing.
    “Five days, bitch,” Dexter said. “Or you’ll find that boy hanging from your chandelier.”
    She took Liam’s hand and hurried toward the exit. Loreli heard Liam say, “Mommy?”  
    She couldn’t answer.

9.
     
    “For her outstanding achievements, her tireless enthusiasm, and her ability to always get the job done, I am pleased to promote Amanda Rierdon to the title of Special Agent In Charge.”
    She watched her boss, Douglas Vawter, Detroit Field Operative In Charge (FOC) turn to her with the most obviously superficial smile she’d ever seen. Instead of feeling proud, Amanda Rierdon felt bored and disgusted. First of all, the promotion was long overdue. She’d done twice as much work as all the other agents, and she’d maneuvered herself well over Vawter’s head. In fact, the regional director of the FBI had told her over cocktails at a conference in Washington that in