Ellie huddled over the phone in her office, her voice a hoarse whisper. Roland had been ranting and raving about the office because David couldn't be found. Mildred had advised her to try and find him, things were a bit unsettled and there would be some changes soon.

"You have to come in, David! He's really mad, he said if you wanted to keep working at Trevor Auction you'd better show up - pronto!"

"What changes did Mildred mean?"

"She never said and I didn't ask. Just come in, David, please. I'm afraid he might fire everyone!"

"I'll come in, El. I'll leave now."

Flo wasn't thrilled when Portia arrived at her door talking about trying to avoid her brother and the damage to David's apartment. Her episode with the frightening man that had visited, and the fact that he knew where to find her anytime was enough adventure for a lifetime for Flo.

"It's fine for you, Dee, you give them my phone number then you give them David's address and you aren't involved at all."

"That's not true, I faced that palooka that scared you when he came to David's."

"But he doesn't know where you are. I'm scared, Dee."

"I'm pretty sure his boss does." Portia told Flo about her father's client's connection to the gangland shooting.

"What are you going to do that doesn't include me."

"Flo, c'mon don't be like that, our suspicions were right. If we could just get–"

"I said without me, Dee."

Portia stood and slipped the beaded strap of her handbag over her shoulder.

"I was hoping you would be eager and maybe ask Calvin if we could borrow his car to get around."

"I'm eager to stay alive, Dee and what do we need a car for?"

We! Portia knew right then Flo would be on board. "To get things done faster."

"Things . . ."

"Call Calvin and ask him about the car, meanwhile I'm going to see if I can't get an address for this Hagen person."

Flo knew her friend wouldn't quit. Too many times she had followed Dee into situations that had left them both shaking yet thrilled. This was no different, she tried to tell herself as she called Calvin and coaxed him into lending his car.

"Got it!" Portia waved the slip of paper excitedly. "Did you get the car?"

"Yes but don't you think bracing this crime boss on his doorstep is going to have some Bruno bumping us off and dumping us in the river?"

"Flo! How dramatic. I'm not going to brace him, just dig out some info."

"Info for what?"

"For David. It's the least I can do after putting him on the spot."

"Oh, and do you plan on doing something for me then as well?"

"Don't be silly, we're a team! Let's get the car."

Mildred closed her robe and stared at Kitty on the lounge across from her. The revelation that the woman she had been intimately involved with had used her attraction to gain information left her stunned, angry and emotionally distraught.

"It really shouldn't affect you and me, Millie. It's just business."

"Business! You worm your way into my life with- with . . . then I find out it was just to use my position at the Gallery?"

"I admit that's how it started, but it changed for me." Kitty sat forward, hands clasped together on her knees. "This last bit was only to find out what you thought about Roland's deal, the rest was genuine. I gave you the heads up on the meeting so you could make a choice . . . you agreed. You weren't pressured."

"You failed to mention that I would be part of a scheme I couldn't get out of at any time."

Mildred stood and paced around the room, her fingers touching various objects as if to test reality.

"Millie it's like you said yourself. What you are doing isn't really illegal as far as the Trevor businesses are concerned and you are making a nice little profit on the side. And as far as the bank is concerned, they are speaking with the manager. I expect large cash deposits will be quite welcome now. You may lose a small percentage of your portion to confirm that but then business will also pick up."

Mildred gaped at the woman she felt so strongly about, confused and shocked at how easily she seemed to accept it all.

"How on earth did you ever get involved with these people, Kitty?"

Kitty stood and went to the small bar table, holding up a glass toward Mildred who shook her head. She poured a healthy dose of liquor into a glass and sat back down.

"I was a dancer in a private club that Karl Hagen attended. He took a shine to me and that's the end of the story."

"Why? What do you mean the end of the story?"

"He took me out of the club. Put me in his penthouse, told me it was my new home and that leaving wasn't an option."

"You mean you and he . . .?"

"It was better than the inferred option, Millie."

Mildred studied her friend with mixed emotions. Their relationship had seemed so complete and exclusive until these revelations of duplicity and the fact Kitty was sharing her own emotions with, of all people, Karl Hagen.

"While I'm not thrilled with this news regarding our relationship, personal or professional . . . I don't want to lose you, Kitty." Mildred sat beside her friend and took her hand. "Tell your Mr. Hagen I will continue with his scheme through the gallery, exclusively, but I want ten percent."

"He won't like that, Millie."

"Then he can continue with Roland and the gallery will not be a part."

"He'll like that even less."

"Then he has Hobson's choice, Kitty."

"And us?"

Mildred's hand slipped behind Kitty's neck and drew her face close. Their lips met gently, then firmly, then passionately.

Rodney stood by his secretary's desk, studying the man that had demanded to see him. Portia's thug immediately came to mind and he felt his hands shake as he gripped them in front.

"It's alright, Mrs. Diggs, take a tea break and I'll look after this." He waited until his secretary left then spoke. "How can I help you, Mr. . . .?"

"Where is sister?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Your sister. Where is?"

"What do you want with my sister?"

"Where is?"

"Look, you tell me what your business is or–"

Yegor picked up the metal in-basket and folded it in half with one hand, against the desk until it snapped, then tossed it on the desk.

"Where is?"

Rodney paled as he realized this must be the thug that threatened Portia before. His hands trembled and his mouth wouldn't work.

"You come with me."

"N- no! I c-can't . . . won't!"

Yegor glanced at the smashed basket and Rodney swallowed, following him to the door.

Roland slammed the package of bills on the desk and glared at David. He had started in as soon as David arrived, haranguing about his dedication and loyalty and how he only kept his position because Ralph was away.

"Ralph is away precisely because of this banking scam!"

"Just who do you think you're talking to?"

"I have no idea. It certainly isn't the man I first came to work for."

Roland turned red, sputtering wordlessly. He aimed a shaking finger at the money package and bared his teeth.

"The bank manager will give you no trouble depositing cash. Now take that and get the hell out of here before- before–"

"Jesus! They got to him too! Can't you see what's happening, Rolly?"

"GET OUT!"

Eli peered out from her office as David came by, her face in emotional turmoil.

"David, what happened? We could hear you all over the building."

"I think my days here are numbered, El." He stepped into the doorway and took her arm. "Just promise me you won't get mixed up in this business. It is deadly dangerous."

She watched with concern as he walked defeated down the hallway, then her phone rang. Mildred would not be back in, she was attending a meeting.