Another Life — Andrew H. Vachss

In this blistering new novel, Burke ("Lord of the Asphalt Jungle"--Washington Post Book World) is forced into a journey that will change the lives of the urban survivalist and his outlaw family ... forever.

The only person Burke has ever called a father, known throughout the underground as "The Prof," is in a coma, barely clinging to life in the off-the-books hospital where the crew stashed him after their last job went off the rails. So when Pryce, a shadow-man with the best of government connections, offers the finest medical services for the Prof and a clean slate for all concerned, Burke takes the contract without reading it. The two year old son of a Saudi prince has been kidnapped. A highly professional snatch; no mistakes, no clues ... and no ransom note. Burke's job: get the kid back, whatever it costs, whatever it takes. Pryce came to Burke because they presume this was the work of a pedophile ring. But after Burke's initial investigation comes up empty, the ultimate man-for-hire must return to the day "Baby Boy Burke" was written on his birth certificate, before he can save this child and write, in the blood of his enemies, the final act of this story.