On the Hunt - Page 72

He nodded wearily. “I’m very much afraid that you’re right. Because she’d probably do the same thing. Hell, I can almost see you following in her footsteps.”

“They’re terrific footsteps. I’d be proud to follow them.”

“Oh, shit.” He reached over and pulled her into his arms. “What am I supposed to say to that?”

“Yes.”

“No.” He pushed her back and looked down at her. “It’s my job to say no to both of you. Kira didn’t give me a chance to do it, so I’m taking the choice away from you.”

She went back into his arms. “Not fair, Harlan.” Her voice was husky with tears. “Change your mind.”

“No way.” He brushed his lips on her temple. “Accept it.”

“It seems I may have to do that.” She tried to clear her throat. “But not without you telling me what’s going to happen and how you’re going to find a way to get her away from that bastard.” She glanced back at the notebook she’d handed to him. “Taylor wouldn’t expect you to know anything about that coral reef. I thought this might be a way to get Kira away from him. Sort of a surprise attack? You might be able to use me as a decoy?” She saw he was shaking his head. “I thought it was a pretty good idea. What’s wrong with it?”

“Not one thing if I thought the action was going to be focused on that reef,” Harlan said. “And if I was willing to let you run the risk. But I’m not willing to let you do that, and we’re not certain where the main action is going to take place. It could be on Babur’s jungle hideout, or Taylor might send one of his units to attack Kalim’s castle and the surrounding countryside to snatch all the treasure he can grab along with possibly a number of Kalim’s prize horses. Hell, those horses might be worth more than the treasure. I’d certainly pay more for them.”

She nodded. “I realize that. I’ve seen a few of those wonderful stallions since I arrived on Hathor Island, and I have to agree with you.” Then she shook her head impatiently. “Now you’ve told me where the action might take place, but that’s not why you let me help you throw that blasted sled out of the plane, is it?”

“No way,” Harlan said. “Because my best bet is that Kira will find it easier to lure Taylor to use that diving sled to go after the treasure. A chest full of jewels would be easier to snatch and grab than transporting horses. I’m going to assume that’s what she’ll choose.”

“And?”

“And I’ll be down there in the caves with a team to give Taylor a surprise when he shows up with Kira in the sled.”

“I should be there,” Aban said suddenly. “I could help you. Let me go, Harlan.”

“Don’t you dare,” Fiona said fiercely. “Just because Aban claims he’s more fish than human doesn’t mean that he’d help you more than I would. We could work around it.”

“Neither of you is going with me,” Harlan said flatly. “As I said, I’ll have a strong, skilled team and I won’t need you. I’ll tell you what you’re going to do instead. Actually, I’m tempted to send you back to Summer Island. You’d be safe there now. I contacted the guard units again and Taylor’s thugs have all been routed and left the area, and the animals and medical teams are well and flourishing. By the way, Fiona, Captain Darue’s men found Golden Boy’s vet in the woods. He was bound and gagged but otherwise healthy enough. He had company because two of the guards I assigned to you had also been captured and tossed in a mine a few miles away. Evidently, Taylor wanted plenty of time to put any plans he had for you into place before we knew you were missing.”

Fiona gave a profound sigh of relief. “It’s good to know that I didn’t cause anyone else to be hurt because I was foolish. Does that change the situation at all?”

Harlan shook his head. “I’m afraid not. Because I still don’t like the idea of you being that far away from me. I’m going to tell the pilot that he’s to take us to Hathor Island. I’m going to drop you both off in Kalim’s care and leave it up to him if he wants to use you to help defend the villages and all his property on the island. There’s a good chance that you could see considerable action there. If he doesn’t, then you may end up locked away under guard in that palace he calls home. You’ll have to convince him that you’d be more valuable helping him than taking up his guards’ time watching you.”

Fiona frowned incredulously. “You’re passing the buck.”

“Maybe.” Harlan smiled crookedly. “But you’ll still be safer than if I let you go with me to the caves. Besides, it’s about time Kalim had to handle a few more of the headaches that go with being king of all he surveys.” He turned and headed for the cockpit. “Make peace with each other and then get together on a game plan to convince Kalim that he can’t do without you.” Before he opened the cockpit door, he looked over his shoulder at them. “One more thing. If you both want to do something to please Kira when you get to Hathor, I know she’d want you to go up to the hills and take care of the horses. They mean a lot to her. It’s not a major rescue, but it’s what she’d ask if she was here.” He opened the cockpit door. “And we should be at Hathor in about thirty minutes.”

CHAPTER

18

Kalim’s primary airport was lit up with brilliant lights when Harlan landed at Hathor a little more than half an hour later.

“Did you lose something?” Kalim asked Harlan, strolling toward him after he left the craft. “You were gone far too long, and then you tell me you dropped Aban into the sea to retrieve that sled cover? I’m happy he was useful, but I expected nothing else. All my people are talented and superb. Did he do well?”

“Well enough,” Harlan said. “But apparently he found the experience addictive, as I told you on the phone. He wanted to join the team that I’m gathering to go down to the caves.”

Kalim nodded soberly. “Because you told him you thought Kira would be found there. None of us can fault him for wanting to bring her back. That’s what we all want. Though I’m glad you discouraged him. We may need all the men we can muster here. I’ve been hearing that there have been a good many strangers sighted in and around the villages since Abdullah’s death. Taylor may believe that this is the time to strike at them.” His lips tightened grimly. “Strike at me. He’ll get a few surprises if he tries. We know how to protect ourselves.”

“I can bring in more men to help,” Harlan offered. “Just call Belson, as I told you. He’s on alert to send you whatever equipment or teams you request.”

Kalim nodded. “I’ll remember.” He suddenly smiled as he saw Aban and Fiona exiting the plane. “Though by the look of those two, we may not need to bother with reinforcements.” He tilted his head appraisingly. “Am I mistaken, or do they look as if they’re ready to take on the whole damn world?”

“I gave them a few words of advice,” Harlan said. “But I believe it’s time I made my exit. I’ve already said my goodbyes. I’m taking a cargo copter to pick up my sleds and try to get them positioned before Kira shows up. Take care of Fiona.” He was already heading for the helicopter. “Or as much as she’ll let you. That’s always the question. Good luck, Kalim.”

“I don’t believe luck will be required,” Kalim murmured as he turned to face Aban and Fiona. “It’s not as if I haven’t had years of experience handling the population of this entire island. It’s merely that one has to be firm…”