It was now or never. It wasn’t Vivian and Gary’s habit to be up much before noon, and she suspected they’d probably gone right back to sleep when they’d woken up in the morning to find her gone. The idea of disturbing them was pleasing.She hit the doorbell. Moments later, Vivian pulled the door open. Her hair and makeup were done, but her eyes looked tired.“Oh, hell,” she said.“Good morning, Viv,” Babs said. “Mind if I come in?”Without waiting for a response, she stepped past Vivian and went inside.“Let’s make this short and sweet, Viv, because quite frankly, I lack the patience. I’ve got it, you want it. You give me two hundred and fifty thousand, cash, this afternoon, and I’ll give it back.”Vivian glanced toward the living room. “Babs—”Babs clutched her purse to her stomach and held her ground. “Do we have a deal or not? And don’t even think about trying that kidnapping nonsense again. The people who have the bird are under strict orders to immediately call the National Conservation Society in New Zealand if you so much as look at me cross-eyed.”“Did I hear something about a bird?”Babs blinked.
