When the party goers began to dwindle, that's when Dominic and Hawke made their move. Hawke had seen Caitlin retire upstairs hours before the party showed signs of death so he didn't have to worry about her. Rupert was still a little too chummy with Duveaux and he could be a problem, but they had to take that chance.

With champagne flutes in their hands, they approached Duveaux. "I would like to discuss business now that the party is almost over," Dominic said in his Italian accent.

Duveaux nodded and led the way to his office. Hawke remembered being there just the day before. Evidently, he and Kelby didn't leave any traces of themselves behind because when Duveaux walked in he didn't seem to notice anything disturbed.

"Now," Duveaux said once he was seated at his desk. He withdrew a key from his pocket and opened the door. "You want to purchase Sleeping Beauty."

"Yes," Dominic said. Hawke stood beside him with his arms crossed at his waist. His gun protected at his left side. "As I said before, I have transportation that can get the drug into countries and me out before I am detected."

"Transportation?" Duveaux sat back in his chair. It groaned with his weight. "You've spoken of this transportation, but I'd like to see what you're speaking of."

"Mr. Watts and I are leaving in the morning after the sale. It would be possible for us to show you the transportation when we pick up the formula. What time would you like us to arrive?"

"Seven o'clock would be a more than reasonable time." Duveaux wrote down an asking price on a piece of paper and handed it to Hawke. In turn, Hawke handed it to Dominic.

Dominic looked at the paper and almost passed out. There were seven figures written across a blank slip of white paper. Seven figures. Michael was going to freak.

"All right," Dominic said calmly. "I will bring you the money and Mr. Watts will pick me up. Until morning." Dominic nodded.

Duveaux nodded back. "Until morning, Mr. Purcelli."

Rupert escorted Hawke and Dominic to the main door. Kelby met them as they were walking down the front steps. He stepped up to them as if he were greeting them. "Have a good night, Mr. Purcelli, Mr. Watts."

"Seven A.M. Be ready," Hawke whispered.

Kelby nodded. "Yes, sir, Mr. Watts, I will have a nice night."

Hawke opened the back door for Dominic and then got into the driver's side.

"Did you see that figure he wrote down," Dominic said first thing as they drove off the property. "I could sell the business and buy my own island for that amount. Michael's going to have a conniption fit when he sees the asking price."

"Michael knew it was going to be a lot and that's why we have unlimited access to the FIRM's accounts." Hawke reminded Dominic.

"Too bad, the unlimited access ends tomorrow night. Do you know what we could do with unlimited access, Hawke? Why we could. . ." Hawke pressed a button on the console and a privacy screen went up between them. Hawke was concerned about more than the amount of money they would be lugging around. By mid-morning, they would have Caitlin back with them and then the real journey would begin.


Henri walked his last guest to their car and then went back into the house. Rupert was overseeing the departure of the caterer's which left him free. Angela had gone to bed earlier and he still had things he wanted to discuss with her; for instance, tomorrow morning's events. She had to be prepared for everything that was going to happen.

When he got to her room, she was sitting in her chair by the open window. The spot had always been a favorite of hers since he brought her home to live with him. She explained one night during a late night chat that her amnesia made her feel cooped up and she didn't want to feel like that anywhere else. When he was certain she had fallen asleep, he would go into the bedroom and close the window. She never said anything the next morning about it and he never said anything to her about his nightly ritual.

"How did you like your first gala?" Henri asked her as he sat down on the edge of her bed. The cool breeze rustled the curtains and from afar off he could hear the sound of the waves crashing against the beach.

"It was eventful." She closed the book she was reading. "What's wrong, Henri?"

"Before you retire for the night, I want you to pack one bag. We're leaving Santa Barbara some time tomorrow morning and I want you to be prepared. While you're doing that, I want you to pick a place you would like to live and then I'm going to marry you in that spot and live happily ever after with you."

"What if I don't want to leave here, Henri?" "Angela" said unfolding her legs from under her and placing them on the carpeted floor. "What if I'm happy right here in this house on this beach with you at my side?"

Henri smiled, stood, and kissed her gently on the lips. "The world is yours, my beloved. I will come for you at six. Be ready."

He looked back at her once before closing her door. There was a change in her from just a week ago. She used to tell him of her nightmares; now she never talked of them. She used to laugh with him; and now she could barely get a laugh out. Something had changed her and he wasn't going to let it go any further. His plan to get out of the country would have to go as planned. He wouldn't lose her.