"Hello? Hello?" It was the third hang up call this afternoon, but there was no time for considered contemplation. She had to save the kitchen from her young chef in training. Although fit from accompanying Kevin in his various outdoor interests, her energy was quickly ebbing. Summoning what remained of her strength, Rebecca willed her long legs to scale the stairs two at a time. The scene in the kitchen threatened to deliver a knockout blow to her stamina. In just the short time she had been downstairs, her industrious progeny had emptied every cabinet within her reach. Pots, pans, and plastic containers covered the floor like a culinary minefield. Oblivious to her mother's exasperation, Marie busily continued about her chosen task of moving all the pots and pans from the kitchen to the living room. Every armload gathered by Rebecca to be returned to its normal station, was greeted by a joyous Marie bringing more out. It was hard to know whether Marie's giggles were from the thrill of her new found game or the funny looks it brought to mommy's face. Rebecca threw up her arms in surrender as an insistent knock at the door called for her attention, her daughter never the less carried on with all the serious focus a two year old could muster.

“Who is it?” She called through the locked door.

“I’m hoping you can help me out," a male voice replied in a thick Hispanic accent, "See, I was on my way to Benson to deliver this meat and the refrigeration in my van broke down, so I’m trying to sell as much as I can before it all spoils. You like T-bones? I can let you have as many as you want for $3.00 a pound.”

Through the distorted view of the peep hole, Rebecca could see a Latino man holding something and a van in the driveway.

“I’m really kind of busy right at the moment,” she answered without opening the door.

“That’s no problem. Just let me unload some of this stuff in your freezer. I figure I can trust you. You can just mail me a check later. I just hate to see meat of this quality go to waste. Just take a look. If this isn’t better than anything you’ve ever bought before, I’ll be on my way.”

A loud crash was followed by a cry from Marie. Rebecca at first thought her construction project had finally succumbed to gravity, but the cry wasn't right. Her motherly instincts knew it was a "help" cry rather than an "I'm angry". It had also stopped immediately and there were no more happy playing sounds. Something was very wrong.

“Maybe some other time. I’ve really got to go.”

“Just open the door and take a look, that’s all I’m asking. How can you turn me down without taking a look?”

As she turned away to see about Marie, powerful hands grabbed her from behind and spun her around. A figure rushed across the room, a ball cap pulled low over his eyes, and covered her face with a wet cloth. Noxious glue-like fumes made her head swim. She struggled against her captor’s grip, but was unable to wrench free. In desperation, she suddenly reversed her efforts and lunged backwards hurling herself and her opponent against the door. She heard a sickening crunch as the back of her head made contact with the front of his. He relaxed his grip slightly enough that she was able to get one arm free. Lashing out wildly, her nails made contact with the other one's face, causing him to drop the cloth. She caught a glimpse of the one behind her, still holding one arm while trying to staunch the bleeding from his broken nose. The one who had been holding the cloth grabbed her free hand and turned her as another came in from the kitchen, holding something in his hand. She felt a sting on her shoulder and everything suddenly went dark.