Free The Puzzled Heart by Amanda Cross Page B

you write will be printed. Why not write something in code, like every other word says what you mean while the whole reads as though you were saying what they wanted? Then, when the article is picked up by the media, you can tell the whole story. And the code will indicate that you haven’t really done what they wanted but rather the opposite.”
    “Where will that get us?” Kate asked.
    “Probably nowhere. But it will give us a short time in which to trap them before they discover that Reed has eluded them. In that short time, we’ll try to set up a case of kidnapping and blackmail against the bastards. If you don’t send in the article in a day or so they’ll take immediate action of some sort and discover that Reed’s gone, and we’ll have lost the testimony of the girls, who when that happens will have every reason to deny their part in the kidnapping.”
    “You overestimate me,” Kate said. “I’ve never been any good at word games or codes, much as I admire those people who can break them. But I know what I’ll do. When I was visiting Radcliffe many years ago, a young man gave a graduation speech that the whole audience applauded, all about law and order, gettingcrime off the streets, that sort of thing, and when they had finished their wild expressions of appreciation, he told them his words had been written by Hitler. I’ll bet I can find a passage from Hitler that they will accept as my perfect renunciation of all women’s rights. Later, I’ll identify the author.”
    “Sounds okay—if you think they’ll go for it. I suspect they will.”
    “The first thing Hitler was against was women outside the home. Family values, provided the family was Aryan, were his ideal. He didn’t get around to killing the Jews till later.”
    “The things you know,” Toni said. “Well, I’m off. Reed, do take care not to be seen by anyone like a delivery man, or the man on the back elevator, or someone cleaning the hall—you know.”
    “I’ll be careful,” Reed said.
    “I know, I know.” Toni smirked at him. “You think, and Kate thinks, and Harriet certainly thinks, that I’m too bossy and too eager to take charge. But I get things done, and I figure results are better than smooth manners. If you disagree, I’m always dischargeable.”
    “We’ll take it under advisement,” Reed said, smiling. “While Kate’s searching out the perfect passage from Hitler, don’t forget to let us know what the next step is.”
    “Check your e-mail,” Toni said. “I’ll be back.”
    “I thought you thought they were keeping a watch on me,” Kate said.
    “So they probably are. But with Leslie visiting andmaybe Jane and Harriet, they can’t keep track of everybody. And do remember, dear Kate, we are no longer worried about Reed’s safety.”
    And with that, she swept from the room and the apartment.
    “Bossy but probably effective,” Reed said.
    “I’m holding my opinion in abeyance,” Kate responded. “Must I rush off and contemplate the writings of Adolf Hitler?”
    “Not immediately,” Reed said. “We’ll both work on it in a little while. Right now, I could use a bit of a nap. Where does Banny sleep, by the way?”
    “In our bed, I’m afraid. She was a comfort.”
    “Are we keeping her?”
    “We can’t, Reed. That was made very clear. She’s a dog with outstanding conformation, apparently evident at her birth. She’s wanted by her owners, for breeding and I hope love.”
    “We’ll keep her for now. We may need her for more messages. Do you think she can manage to sleep in the kitchen if we shut the door?”
    “Absolutely not,” Kate said. “Under the bed is the most we can hope for.”
    “Well,” Reed said, “she’ll be a nice change from incarceration by nymphs. You’d be a nice change too.” And Banny, pleased with that, jumped up on the couch and licked his face.
    Kate woke after their somewhat extended nap and stayed quiet, pondering their situation but not wantingto wake