"No need to get nasty," I said. "What do you mean, you've got them?"

"I mean that we've kidnapped them for ransom. You get the honor of being the ransomer. You're gonna pay me ten million dollars to get them back."

"You can't be serious. I don't have that kind of money," I lied.

"Not you, asshole. Your company."

"Richard IS the company," I said.

"That's right, he is, and that's why you're gonna pay to get him back. Ten million is chicken feed to you guys. You should be thankful that I'm not asking for more. He'll make it all back in a week. If you pay, that is....