She was beginning to get hysterical. Drake hated it when people got hysterical; it made his job very much more difficult.

"Ma'm, listen to me," he said sharply, "You must go to that phone. You must dial the number written on this piece of paper and you must tell them that you are sending a man to meet them, with the money. Do you understand me?"

She nodded. Though she continued to tremble, her sobbing had stopped. She looked up at him, a pathetic picture of dismay.

"Don't worry, Mrs. Fitzroy," he said kindly, "I will bring your son home."