Montbretia was there; she saw what happened. The pickpocket went down, but that wasn't enough to stop Curtis's fists from flying. And when she pulled Curtis away, the other guy just laid on the side of the street. Inert. Barely breathing. Now the victim's comrades-who have seen their friend grievously wounded and have lost their source of income-want to talk with Curtis. But the only person they can find is Montbretia, and they aren't sure whether she's telling the truth when she says she doesn't know where Curtis has gone. Maybe she does know. Maybe she can contact Curtis. Maybe she's the...

-Let's have lunch tomorrow, - said the email, but when Montbretia arrived at her friend's office he wasn't there. -When did he leave?- Montbretia asked the receptionist. -Monday, - came the reply. -No. I mean, when did he leave for lunch?- -Monday, - repeated the receptionist. -He left at lunchtime on Monday.- -But today's Wednesday, - said Montbretia. The receptionist's face softened with a look of amusement as she tried to sympathize with Montbretia's embarrassment. -A long lunch.- Montbretia searches for her friend, trying to find out where he is, why he left the office and his home, and...

Leathan Wilkey thinks he has been framed for murder by the victim's father.

Leathan Wilkey has been hired by a diplomat to find a nineteen-year-old.

"He's the son of a friend--I'm doing a favor," says the diplomat, who gives Leathan the teenager's name and a photo and tells him where the kid usually hangs out.

Leathan finds the teenager within the day. When he reaches him, the kid has just been shot. His dying words to Leathan are: "Protect Marianne."

Leathan is left to find Marianne, find out why she needs protecting and from whom, all the...

Leathan Wilkey has been hired to make a ransom exchange. He has the cash, a car, and a phone so the kidnappers can direct him to the location of the exchange for the seven-year-old boy. But it soon becomes clear that there are two groups demanding the ransom, and they can't both have the kid. And when Leathan finds the cash that he's been given might not be what the kidnappers are expecting, he questions whether he's the bag man or if he's been sent to draw fire. Bullets fly and Leathan ducks. When he looks up, he's the only one who's concerned that a stray piece of lead might hit the kid.