"How do we protect them?" Gaia asked.

"Not sure. They seem to think they have it covered. I'm not so sure," Harry responded. "I don't know how I can get myself included in this operation."

"Let them take care of it. I don't want your abilities exposed to more than we've already let in on our secrets. They think you're skilled magician, and nothing more. Salvatore wanted to know where you hid the mirrors to make me disappear. I couldn't tell him it comes from within."

"Let him believe it was skill and lighting. It is for many of the great ones. Houdini was a master at misdirection, sleight of hand, and phenomenal contortionist. His escapes were legendary. For me, twisting a lock open is easy, child's play even, and conjuring up my sister's feet for the trick we did in Dublin for the show, was merely a case of timing."

"Best to keep your talents to ourselves. Mine, however, I think we can market them. There are people all over the country who will pay quite well to come to visit me. But in my case, I can give them the real thing, rather than a good guess as to what they want to hear. I might be able to convince some of the spirits they seek to reveal themselves. Archie's wife spoke through me."

"You stunned me. I thought I lost you to her," Harry admitted.

"They don't want to live again, just tell their loved ones what they couldn't before they passed on. It's completely safe for me, but a boon to those who wish to have their final goodbye." Gaia eyes grew wide and she place her hand on her swelling abdomen.

"She's kicking?" Harry asked.

"She is. I don't know how I know we have a daughter, but I'm as sure as my eyes are blue, this is Gloria O'Connor."

Harry placed his hand under hers, as the baby kicked. "You can see her foot at times. When did Dr. Maxine tell you she's due?"

"Probably close to Ostara. She thinks we conceived very close to the day we married. I like her Harry. I think I can help her like I did Graham. She has many a soul clinging to her aura. Babies as well as mothers. Childbirth can be a risky business, even today with all the help we have."

"Aye, and a horrid choice for the doctor, to have to choose which one survives." Harry stroked Gaia's belly and played catch up with the tiny heaves in the thinning muscles.

"Could we make a phone call to my mother? I want to let her know when the baby is due. I've written, but I feel a call would be so much better."

"I think it can be done. We will require the help of an operator, though."

"Interesting profession, that one. Funny how a woman's voice is more easily understood, both over radio waves and now on telephone lines."

"As long as we can let them know once Gloria is born. I never asked you about naming her."

"Gloria feels right. Sorcha for my mother for her middle name," Harry suggested.

"Indeed. Gloria Sorcha O'Connor. It has a ring to it. She's going to be a beauty."

"Can't help but be a beauty. Look who she has for a mother." Harry knelt on the sofa beside her and kissed her tenderly.

"And I hope she has your hair. Glorious black curls with your green eyes."

"All I ask, is a safe birth. That she's healthy and I have you both to treasure for years to come," Harry said.

"Amen," Gaia whispered.

"Blessed be, my love."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Gaia peered out of the blue Mac truck cab into the bank window. Enrico walked out of the back office with a leather briefcase in his left hand. Pietro patted his left thigh, where a leg holster held a pistol.

"I don't trust these IRS types to do the job. FBI maybe. But Enrico? He's a bold one. No gun, not even a knife? He has to know he's a dead man."

"Trust them. No one told the local cops what is going down. Only Enrico's boss and the FBI office boss know. They kept it to need to know only. I'm glad we had the money in one of our accounts from overseas to cover the payment."

"Why do you work with us? Those with money come to eat then whine and complain trying to get their meal for free. Entitled. The famous ones, like the mayor or congressmen are even worse," Pietro grumbled.

"Ah, but money isn't the joy. It's the work. It's family, and you have become our family, Pietro. Like the uncles I have back home. You made us welcome when we came with only the clothes we could pack. The apartment, the baby things, all the help. Why wouldn't I pitch in?"

"Look, he's coming out. Bold, walking like that. But Eduardo's instructions said they would be watching and know if anyone came with him. Fortunately, my delivery to the diner next door happens everyday at the same time. Give or take a few minutes. Traffic is beastly, with Christmas so close. All we need is a snowstorm to top it off." Pietro put his truck in gear and pulled out into the bumper to bumper traffic. Two cars nipped into the curb almost before his bumper cleared the way.

Gaia whispered her spell under her breath. The cacophony of horns, and pedestrians shouting a backdrop to the protection she placed in the camelhair trench coat swirling around Enrico's knees. A flicker of blue, so momentary it passed in less than a blink of her eye, and she wished for more.

"I hope Harry managed to find his way inside. He said there was a passage through the utility tunnel for the electrical wires." Pietro spun his steering wheel to ease around the corner toward Fulton Market.

Gaia could smell the fresh fish as men unloaded a tuna trawler at the pier. Enrico continued to stride toward the alley at the end of the fishmonger's warehouse. He looked like he was just another businessman on his way to a meeting.

"The question remains, is there any access to Russo's building. No one knows. One of the power company linemen went with him. I know Harry though. He's inventive and he thinks on his feet." Gaia clutched her amethyst where it dangled on her chest. "May the Goddess protect you, my love."

"God keep you safe, my friend," Pietro crossed himself as he pulled into the alley and parked his truck. He knew he was in exactly the right spot to block any exiting cars. Black sedans arrived on silent tires coming to a stop on either end of the truck. Those inside could only exit by foot. Hopefully, the trap would be enough.