On the Hunt - Page 53

“I have no intention of doing so,” Kalim said. “You’re not one of my people, and you’re a grown woman. I merely stated my opinion. I just thought I’d let Harlan know that you have a protector if you so desire.”

“I don’t desire it. You know that, Kalim. I take care of myself.”

“I believe I’ve heard that mantra before,” Harlan said suddenly. “But what if I desire it on her behalf? I’d appreciate your attention at any time, Kalim. I like the idea of having a man of your stature ready to help her if needed.”

“Harlan!” Kira exclaimed in disbelief.

“It makes good sense, Kira,” Harlan said. “I’m not so vain that I’d refuse anyone willing to be there for you in any bad situation. I’m beginning to like the way he thinks.”

“I’m not,” Kira said. “Back off.”

Kalim was staring suspiciously at Harlan. “If that was supposed to influence me in any way, it’s not going to work. I’m still not selling you any of my horses.”

“I’m hurt, Kalim.” Harlan sadly shook his head. “You misread me entirely. I believe you care enough about Kira not to focus on mere horses when her well-being is at stake. I meant every word I said.”

Kalim was still gazing at him searchingly. “None of my horses can ever be referred to as ‘mere.’ They’re all extraordinary.”

“I understand the insult and offer my sincere apologies,” Harlan said. “Particularly when we’re talking about Sinbad.”

“Ah, Sinbad.” Kalim smiled. “I knew it would kill you not to get your hands on him. That’s why I told Aban to be sure you saw him immediately.”

“And it does,” Harlan said. “But some things are more important than getting what I want. You’ve just given me a gift that towers way above it in scope. Now, is there anything I can do for you?”

Kalim didn’t speak for a moment. “Are you conning me?”

“I most certainly am not,” Harlan said. “We’re on the same page. Sometimes I’ve found Kira to be less than appreciative of what we try to do for her, but I think we both believe she’s worth it.”

“Yes, I agree,” Kalim said slowly. “I’ve always found that to be true. She’s truly remarkable.” He turned back to face Kira. “I believe that it’s worthwhile keeping Harlan around. This does not mean I won’t assist you if you need me. But considering my recent discussions with him and the way he has treated you and Aban, it appears he may prove useful.”

“Really?” Kira said. “I always appreciate your opinion, and I’m sure Harlan will be grateful that the two of you seem to have reached a meeting of the minds.” She added caustically, “Unfortunately, I seem to have been left out of the discussion.”

“I’m not leaving either one of you out of anything,” Kalim said. “I realize how valuable both of you are. I was going to call on the villagers and take care of this problem myself if my decision had been different. But that will not be necessary, and I won’t have to involve them.” He turned to Harlan. “Did you know that the two of you have been watched for the last two days? And if you did, why didn’t you come to me and get permission to stop it, as you did when you brought those barges here? That was very clumsily done. I could have been very angry with you.”

“What the hell?” Harlan said in bewilderment. “What are you talking about, Kalim?”

Kalim gestured to the north. “You actually didn’t know about it? A cruiser. It’s too far away to see from here, but they’re using high-powered binoculars to watch what you’re doing over here on the barges… and I assume in the sea itself. Abdullah, one of my villagers, thought I’d be interested in knowing about what these strangers were doing on my property. Five men are on the ship as far as he could tell. I told him not to approach them but to get close enough to try to get photographs of the cruiser and to send them to me.” He handed Harlan his camera. “I thought you and Kira might want to see if you know them.”

“I definitely do. Many thanks.” Harlan was copying the photos and sending them to Belson. “You were right to keep your people away from that ship. The last thing we want is for you to have any trouble with your villagers.” He handed the camera to Kira. “I’ll send my assistant and a few other team members to check out what’s going on with that cruiser.”

Kira was studying the photos. “It’s a good-size ship, but I don’t recognize anyone aboard from those photos. Do you, Harlan?” She frowned. “Definitely no one from here on Hathor. But then the only one I might be able to identify would be Taylor. In Colorado, I was too busy fighting him off to pay any attention to any of his men. Though I did hear him talking to at least one of his helicopter pilots on the phone when I was stalking him at the ranch house—Donovan.”

Harlan shook his head. “We’d already recognized Donovan from when he managed to help Taylor escape on the helicopter that night. And I was too busy trying to keep you and Mack alive during that period to pay any attention to anyone else. But I’ll alert Belson.”

Kira nodded. “But it won’t stop us from going for another session in the sleds?”

“Not if Belson decides there’s no risk from the cruiser. I take it we won’t be operating in the same area?”

She shook her head. “I thought we’d take a chance on the west coast.” She braced herself as she glanced at Kalim. “We need to see what’s available in the caves, Kalim. It was where we managed the first strike. We may not go directly after treasure, but we should see what our options would be.”

“I told you it could be dangerous.” Kalim was frowning. “You know I refused to let my villagers go into the caves, Kira.”

“Not as dangerous as it would be without the sleds,” she told him. “It will be an entire new game.”

“And we’ll be careful,” Harlan promised. “I’ll keep an eye on her.”

Kalim was still not pleased. “You’ll not take Aban unless I decide it’s safe. He’s young and reckless, and he takes far too many chances. The young fool believes he can live forever.”

“Don’t we all?” Harlan said. “I imagine that you took a great many chances yourself at the same age. I know I did. Now, if you’ll excuse me…” He turned away and was dialing Belson. “I have arrangements to make.”