On the Hunt - Page 38

“The best solution turned out to be super-intelligent dogs like Mack who could be trained to herd and yet still provide a familiar enough aura that the horses would accept them as belonging to the herd.”

“Your solution?”

She nodded. “And one I’m proud to claim. They work beautifully together. It keeps them safe.”

“Then Kalim owes you big time,” Harlan said. “I hope he paid you well.”

“It was more of a trade-off,” Kira said. “Though I did insist that he show me those cave shafts and old wells that he’d promised, and I spent a good deal of time scuba diving and exploring the rocks and reefs. He even went with me a few times to show me where he and his friends had explored when they were boys. Some of the sea life around the island was very dangerous, and he wanted to make sure I’d be safe.”

“I believe I’m beginning to approve of Kalim a little more than I did. Do you see him down there in that crowd?”

She nodded. “You won’t have any trouble picking him out. He’s the one with the gray-flecked beard and the air of authority. He’s in his forties, but he’s still one of the best horsemen I’ve ever met and tough as nails. He’d have to be able to run this island and keep his followers in line. He’ll probably meet us at the airport as we land. I told you Sarah said he was very eager to meet you and check you out.”

“Then let’s get to it,” Harlan said as he started to land. “This should be interesting. It’s been a long time since I’ve had to struggle to get an approval from anyone.” He shot her a glance. “Except you. But then you’re an exception to any rule.” They were on the ground now, and one of Kalim’s followers was opening the cockpit doors. Harlan didn’t wait for Kalim to step forward but got out of the plane and smiled at the fortyish, bearded man dressed in black-and-white clothing who was eagerly stepping toward Kira with outstretched hands. “You’re Jabir Kalim, I trust? Jack Harlan. I’m delighted to meet you. As you can see, I’ve brought an old friend to visit you. I’ve been eager to see your beautiful island, and she thought you wouldn’t mind if I tagged along.”

Kalim’s demeanor froze as he met Harlan’s eyes. “I’ve heard of you,” he said coolly. “But not from my friend Kira.” He glanced at Kira. “Sarah Logan told me this man put your life in danger recently, and you were hospitalized. She approves of him. I’m not sure I do.”

“Then you should,” Kira said. “The doctors said I might have died if he hadn’t saved me.” She chuckled. “He even saved Mack, Kalim. I’m sure you approve of that. I might not have been worthwhile in your eyes, but you know how your horses love Mack.”

Kalim smiled faintly. “True. They would follow him anywhere. But I also found value in you on occasion, and you should not have permitted anyone I did not know to tend to your wounds. Why didn’t you phone me so that I could send someone?”

“Perhaps because I kept falling unconscious? Yes, that must be it. Harlan was there to wake me and send me to that blasted hospital.” Kira added, “And you were not, old friend. So stop being bad-tempered and thank him for taking care of me so I can torment you for the foreseeable future.”

“Which you will probably do.” Kalim turned back to Harlan. “I suppose she’s right. In this instance she should have taken advantage of any safe harbor that was available.” He frowned. “But she could have chosen someone more to suit me. As soon as I talked to Sarah, I did my own investigation into your background.”

“And what horrible truth did you find out about me?” Harlan asked mockingly. “Even Kira couldn’t find anything that was too terrible except one single flaw that she found too shocking to accept.”

Kalim turned to Kira with interest. “Yes?”

She nodded. “Though you probably won’t find it all that bad. He wants to kill the man who murdered his brother.”

Kalim gazed at her thoughtfully. “You’re right. I find that perfectly natural behavior. You’ve always been a bit squeamish.”

Harlan threw back his head and laughed. “Forget everything that I’ve said about your old friend here. I’m beginning to like him.”

“Be quiet, Harlan,” Kira said. “Just because you have the same cultural beliefs in some areas doesn’t mean you’re blood brothers. Kalim realizes that I couldn’t have fought harder to keep all his horses, his livestock, and the other people in his village alive and well. We just sometimes disagreed about the methods.”

“As did we,” Harlan said straight-faced. He turned back to Kalim. “Did you hear anything else that you found objectionable about me? If so, speak up and I’ll get back in this plane and head out to Morocco. However, Kira might find me very useful if you allow me to stay. She offered me a deal and, if you agree to her terms, we might all come out of this with everything we want.”

Kalim stared at him for a long moment. “Actually, I did find out something that displeased me, but not about the way you took her to that hospital. A number of years ago, you sent me an offer for three of my horses. I refused you. Your emissary was quite determined, and he kept nagging me.”

Harlan nodded. “You refused me, and I wanted those horses for my niece. I told him to do his best.”

Kalim nodded. “Oh, he did, and because of who you were I had newspaper and media people trying to get here to my island and interview me. You can imagine how that annoyed me.”

“Absolutely,” Harlan said. “But you were the best, and you had the finest horses in the world at that time. My niece, Fiona, deserved the best. She won two Olympic medals the next year, and she didn’t even have one of your horses to do it. Think what she could have done if she’d had one of your magnificent beauties to help her.”

“They’re still the finest horses in the world,” Kalim said. “And you’re probably going to try to get me to sell one to you?”

“Yes, best to best is my policy. Isn’t it yours? But I’m going to try to bring Fiona to your island so that you can see why you should do it.”

“Best to best,” Kalim repeated. “Yes, that’s always been my policy as well.” He glanced at Kira. “That’s why I lured you here, isn’t it?” He smiled. “And you haven’t been sorry, have you?”

She shook her head. “But it was kind of a mutual arrangement. I hope neither one of us will be sorry that we came together.”

He was silent a moment. “You want me to listen to him?”

“I wouldn’t have brought him here if I didn’t. I believe it will benefit all of us. You should at least try to understand him. That’s what I’m trying to do. I owe him, Kalim.”