Los Angeles, California
Congressman Hernandez wrung his hands in nervous anticipation. He was dressed in his favorite blue suit, although he knew Lupe didn"t care what he wore. He hadn"t slept more than a couple of hours in a row in weeks. At first, he was angry with Lupe for running off to Brazil without permission. But, when the school called Monday inquiring as to Lupe"s whereabouts, he began to worry. By Wednesday, his house was filled with Federal Agents. The FBI had assured him that ransom demands would be made soon, and that their success rate for this particular scenario was respectably high. That"s what they called it – a "scenario". He grew to hate that word. His daughter was not some goddamned scenario from the FBI playbook.
By the end of the second week, most of the agents ha
