Part 317 (2/2)

on the stairs, he whirled and swore when he saw the four men grouped

together. ”Get back downstairs.”

”She's ours, too,” Brian said.

”I haven't got time to argue.” Bending, Michael retrieved the phoenix

pin, a swatch of silvery material caught in the clasp. ”Is this

Emma's?”

”She was wearing it tonight,” Johnno told him. ”I gave it to her.”

Michael stared at the elevator, then slipped the pin into his pocket.

”She's using her head,” he murmured. ”Seal off this area,” he shouted

to the security guards. ”And keep up the floor-by-floor.” He punched

the b.u.t.ton on the elevator and watched the numbers light up above the

door. ”Tbll McCarthy he took her all the way up.” Listening to the

rumble of the elevator, he began to pray.

”We're going with you,” Brian said. ”This is police business.”

”It's personal,” Brian corrected. ”It's always been personal. If he

hurts her, I'm going to kill him myself.”

Michael shot a grim look at the four men behind him. ”You'll have to

get in line.”

PETE SHOVED EmmA BACK, sending her sprawling while he tried to catch his

breath. ”That's not going to do any good. I don't want to hurt you any

more than I must, Emma.”

”He was a baby.” She pushed herself up. ”You bought him a silver cup

after he was born, with his name on it. For his first birthday you

rented a pony for his party.”

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