"Well that's a perfect hiding place."Jack commented as he pulled the car onto the
street where Yusuf's call had come from.

Tony peered into the darkness at the beach house that was clearly in the middle of
being constructed. "I doubt that place has any heat or power. Call LAPD remind them
no lights and no sirens. I don't want this guy spooked."

Jack nodded and pulled his cellular phone out of his pocket as he maneuvered the
vehicle farther down the street.

Tony took a deep breath to clear his thoughts. But all he could think of was the blood
they had found in the trunk of the rental car. She had sounded fine to him on the phone
but if she had been bleeding and there was no power, water or heat in that place how
could her wound have been treated? On top of that there was always the risk of
internal bleeding, they needed to get medical treatment to her as soon as possible.

To punctuate that last thought Tony took out his own phone and began to dial the
number Auda had given him. It was time to get this mess under control. If Auda
wanted his demands met he'd have to give them some assurance in return that
Michelle was safe.

Jack finished his call to the LAPD in time to see Tony dialing his phone. He saw the
look on Almedia's face and didn't like it. "Tony, what are you doing?"

Tony didn't take his eyes off the darkened house. "If he wants his demands met I have
one of my own."

Jack grasped his friend's left wrist to get his attention. "Tony, I know she means a lot
to you but you have to keep focused. If we don't keep Auda thinking that he's
won....."

"I know what I'm doing, Jack."Tony replied a little more harshly than he intended. He
finished dialing Auda's number and waited for the intelligence liaison to pick up.

**********

Michelle's head jerked up as sound of a phone ringing reberveted through the beach
house's living room.

Yusuf glanced at his hostage briefly before he took the phone out of his pocket and hit
the correct button. "Auda."

"This is Almedia."Tony replied as he rolled down the window the SUV was beginning
to feel stuffy. "We were able to get in touch with President Palmer. He's willing to talk
to you in ten minutes. But I want something in return."

"I don't have to give you anything."Yusuf replied his tone clipped.

"We know your location. Paramedics will be arriving there shortly and you'll let them
in to examine Michelle."

"How do I know they're really paramedics?"Auda asked as he began to pace.

"You'll have to trust me."Tony replied. "Once the paramedics report that Michelle's in
good health we'll connect you to President Palmer."

Yusuf paused before he replied. "Alright."

He had no choice but to agree to Almedia's terms. For the moment anyway