Peter found Mary alone in the kitchen and he pressed her for a decision about their relationship citing what he hoped to be received with good humour, the fact that they were supposed to be taking a trip together.

"You left with a bit of a bang, Mare."

She sighed and leaned against the sink. "I know. It- you just made me so- so angry." She flopped her hands around helplessly.

"I just didn't have the answers you wanted to hear. You've heard what the others have said, even Dylan and Catlin have listened with an open mind." The remark lit a spark in her eyes and Peter blinked regretfully. "Sorry, but you know what I mean. I mean you know what- aw shit, Mare . . ."

She folded her arms and stared at the floor, both of them silent - waiting.

"What's up with you two?" Catlin popped into the kitchen with some empty glasses.

"Nothing. We're just- just having a talk."

She put the glasses on the counter and her hands on her hips. "You know, Dylan and I are getting pretty tired of this on and off again business with you two. We've been friends a long time, Mary, but I find youre approach to a relationship a little selfish." Mary's neck and cheeks turned red and her eyes darted between Catlin and Peter, who was looking anywhere but at her. "Make up, make out, and stop all this foolishness." She dusted her palms together and went back to the others.

Peter coughed and tried to say something light but he watched Mary's shoulders start to tremble and her hands crept up to cover her face and in a moment she was sobbing into her fingers.

"Mare, Mare. C'mon now. There's nothing to cry over. Catlin was just trying to shake us up a little."

"She was my best friend." It came out a wet blubber.

"She still is, Mare. She is. C'mon. Please."

"Am I selfish, Peter?" The sobs became sniffles and she moved into his arms. He tried to think of something funny to break the tension but he took too long thinking. "You do think that!" She pulled away and began dabbing at her face with a tissue. "Fine. At least I know where I stand."

"Mary, for God's sake get sane for a minute will you?"

His outburst brought her up short and suddenly she saw how she had provoked a completely unnecessary situation. Harv came into the kitchen and looked at them both with confused annoyance.

"The rest of us are meeting to try and solve your problem. Care to join in?"

"Sorry, man. This is something that's been brewing."

"Yeah well brew it later, we've got to figure out a plan or forget the whole thing."

"Who made you the king?" Mary suddenly blurted. "Peter is the one who found the film, the decisions should be his."

"Fine then. Come and make some. I'd be more than happy to step down." His sarcasm was thick but his eyes twinkled at Mary and she blinked open-mouthed.

"I think we've just been sorted out, Mare." Peter put an arm around her shoulder and led her back into the other room.

******

Julia answered the phone and listened to Austin's greeting, measuring the tone and delivery for any hint of trouble. When he paused and asked if she was all right she soothed his worry with an affirmation.

"You're sure? You sound a little distant."

"I've been waiting for this call and word of your progress. I want to know what's happening, Austin. I told you the other day things had to wind up and fast. Or I'm out."

"Julia, no. Listen to me a moment. The disc that came to the meeting was a copy so I arranged to have the restoration studio searched. The original wasn't there either, which means the young man who found it still has it, including any other copies. As we speak my people are arranging to meet with him."

"This isn't going to escalate into something wildly stupid is it?"

"No, no. Of course not. There will be an intimidation factor but I'm still willing to pay something for the film. He just has to understand that no is not an option."

"How soon will you know anything?"

"I promise by tomorrow tonight. Maybe late, but by tomorrow tonight, Julia."

"Will you be busy while this is taking place?"

"No, I'm going to be waiting as well. My people are good, no need to worry."

"Perhaps tomorrow you'd like to wait here?"

Austin swallowed. "I'd be more than pleased to share the time with you, Julia. When would be convenient?"

"Seven-ish?"

"Marvellous. May I bring a wine or something?"

"That would be marvellous too." She paused. "Seven then."

"Sharp." They both hung up.

******

Vera stood in the hotel room doorway waiting for Harry and Douglas to gather their things to go. She was amused at the fact that her father felt it necessary to have these two cretins along considering their efforts to date. Whatever needed to be done she could do faster and more effectively than both of them combined.

It was fun, however, taunting the younger one; at some point he will move to defend his manhood and she will enjoy very much taming him.

"You two are worse than some old housewife. We haven't got all night to do this."

"We're coming. This stuff has to be ready to go fast when we check out."

"I don't see much worth taking if you want to know the truth."

"Funny, Vera. I suppose your stuff is still in drawers and on hangers."

"Nope. My stuff is at daddy's." She grinned at Harry's expression.

"Okay, let's move." Harry waited until she cleared the doorway before approaching and then he and Douglas followed her out.

******

The limo purred along the Lakeshore Drive at a sedate speed. Vera sat regally in the back alone. Harry sat up front with Douglas.

"Austin stressed that we try our best to buy the film using moderate intimidation. No over the top rough stuff." Harry spoke loud enough for Vera to know he was talking to her.

"Are you afraid that's what might happen, Harry?"

"Not afraid, concerned. Let's just do it the easy way first, okay?"

"Such a party pooper." Vera chortled.

"If he don't buy it we could make it a party maybe." Douglas suggested smarmily.

"Oh? And how would you go about that, Dougie?" Vera teased.

"Get his girlfriend involved if ya know what I mean."

"No I don't, Dougie, tell me." She leaned forward on the back of the seat and breathed into his ear.

"C'mon, Vera, lay off. Don't start something here." Harry warned nervously.

"But Dougie wants to tell me, don't you, Dougie?" She rested her fingers on his shoulder and he nearly lost control of the car. "My, my. And I didn't even do anything." She gave Harry an innocent shrug.

"For Christ's sake knock it off. Let's just do the job and get done with this whole thing."

Douglas watched her in the mirror warily, and gritted his teeth when she pursed her full lips in an offer of a kiss.

The limo slowed to a stop under a large Maple tree that was cutting the effect of the only nearby streetlight. They sat in the silent car and watched Peter's apartment from the adjacent side street. Vera wound down the window and studied the surrounding buildings then told them she would cover the place from the roof while they went in the front.

Douglas started to question and stopped as Harry grabbed his wrist. "That's good. You can watch from outside maybe and if we start to lose him you can pop in and do your thing."

Harry shoved Douglas out of the car and they stood and watched Vera strut saucily down the street and across the road to Peter's side, vanishing up an alley, two doors down.

"Goddamn Cat Woman! I swear I'm gonna teach that broad a lesson before this is all done."

"Sure you are, Doug. Let's get back to the real world now and visit our target."