On the Hunt - Page 78

“No one is irreplaceable, Fiona.”

“You come fairly close to that for those villagers. For instance, what would Aban do?”

He didn’t answer for a moment. “Survive. I don’t like the sound of this, Fiona. What are you trying to say?”

“I believe I’m saying it exceptionally well. I’m telling you that I’m tired of being bait, Kalim. Because it ends up hurting people I care about. Kira, Harlan, you. Maybe even some of your villagers. It’s not going to happen this time. If Taylor wants me, let him come and get me. I won’t hide behind anyone else any longer.” She added recklessly, “Who knows? Perhaps I’ll even go looking for him.”

“Don’t be a fool,” Kalim said roughly. “You’re little more than a child. Stay right where you are. I’m coming to get you.”

“You won’t find me. I don’t believe Taylor will, either. Sinbad seems to know this mountain and all its many passes and crevasses very well indeed. It’s like a maze, and he’s been showing me all his secret places. What a truly intelligent horse he is.”

“I’m glad you appreciate him. Then you wouldn’t want Taylor to get hold of him. Let me take both of you down to my stables where you can be protected.”

She chuckled. “Oh, dear, I think I must have scared you, Kalim. I have no intention of really going hunting for Taylor. I realize I’ll need training and equipment before I’m able to do that. Unfortunately, someone neglected to give me a weapon, and that makes everything more difficult. So unless something else occurs to me, I’ll just keep Sinbad, Mack, and myself safe—but none of us will be bait for anyone like Taylor ever again. Though perhaps Taylor searching for me will allow one of your people to zero in on him and get rid of him forever. Tell Harlan and Kira to take care of themselves and let me know when there’s no more Taylor to torment any of us.”

“That’s not going to be enough. They’re going to want to phone you and talk to you themselves. Will you take their call?”

“I wouldn’t be rude and ignore it. Harlan’s taught me better manners than that. Even though they’re probably going to just repeat what you’re saying. But perhaps only one call. I’m afraid that Taylor might be able to trace me through them. He managed all kinds of electronic and phone tricks when he snatched me away from Golden Boy and I ended up on his cruiser.”

“They deserve the chance to at least try to persuade you,” he said impatiently. “In the meantime, I’ll be combing this entire area looking for you… and Taylor.”

“I realize that, Kalim. Thank you. I’m sorry to cause you this trouble. Keep safe yourself. You’ve been a good friend to me…”

She cut the connection.

Harlan was helping Kira off the launch to the landing when he got the call from Kalim. “Shit,” he muttered as he glanced at Kira’s face. “Can’t you do something about it, Kalim? You know it’s not safe.” Then he evidently gave up the battle. “Okay, we’re on our way. Keep trying to locate her.” He hung up. “Kalim wasn’t able to talk Fiona into returning to the stables. She said she had no intention of being bait to lure Taylor toward either one of us again and took off on Sinbad farther up the mountain. Kalim hasn’t been able to find her yet. He’s still looking.”

“Damn.” Kira’s gaze flew to the top of the stark cragginess of the mountain ahead. “And we don’t know how much time we have before Taylor can bring more of his men to that area. He only brought two of his thugs with him to the caves; he left a lot more to guard his property, and they’re still waiting for his orders to come and load up any treasure he finds. I don’t believe there’s any doubt that Taylor will order an attack on Kalim’s island now that he believes I’ve cheated him out of that treasure.”

Harlan nodded. “Kalim’s been warned, and I’ll call Belson and tell him to order reinforcements from among our guards in Morocco to head up there. While I’m doing that, why don’t you call Fiona and see if you can persuade her to back down.” He grimaced. “Though he said she was very determined and would only take one call.”

“How kind of her,” Kira said. “I want to shake her. But I know how she feels. She’s been a chess piece since she was seven years old, and she loves you and wants it to end. I want it to end for her.” She was dialing as she spoke. “But I’ll see if I can persuade her to be reasonable. Don’t hold your breath.”

“You forget how well I know her,” Harlan said. “I just want to keep her alive and away from that bastard. She might listen to you. You have a certain influence. And you’re the one who got her away from Taylor the last time.”

“Not likely.” Fiona answered the phone, and Kira spoke into the receiver. “I just told Harlan that you’re unlikely to listen to me, Fiona. Even though we both know you should follow Kalim’s orders. That’s true, isn’t it?”

“That’s true, Kira,” Fiona said quietly. “It’s time for it to end. I was so worried about you. And I always worry about Harlan. Don’t worry, I’ll be careful. After all, I have Mack with me. And I couldn’t be anything else since I have Sinbad to take care of, too.”

“You realize we’re on our way up there to start searching for you? I know that mountain and the woods surrounding it very well. I might find you.”

“You might,” Fiona said cheerfully. “You have a better chance than almost anyone because Mack will want to help you.” She chuckled. “Except he’ll be torn because he’s now been trained to also take care of Sinbad. I believe Sinbad knows the mountain even better than Mack, and I’ve got him on my side right now. He loves you but he knows I understand him. He’s very complicated, and that’s important to him.”

“I imagine it is. Look, if you won’t be reasonable enough to let Kalim take you down to the stables, will you and Sinbad hide out somewhere Taylor won’t be able to find you?”

“That sounds like a plan.” Fiona was laughing. “If I can make it work. I’ll see you soon, Kira. Take care of yourself. Sinbad and I thank you for your concern.”

“You’re both welcome. Though I’m not sure that Sinbad deserves it. He obviously rejected me the minute he had a talented horse whisperer seducing him with soft words and compliments.”

“He still loves you,” Fiona said. “And I refuse to tell him that you were prepared to withdraw any aspect of your approval. It might hurt his feelings. And he’s already a little edgy.”

“Heaven forbid that I do that. I’m sure he’s temperamental enough as it is.” She was still smiling. “I hope you’re wrong, and I’m able to dig you out of whatever rabbit hole you try to tuck Sinbad and yourself into very soon. Bye, Fiona!”

“No luck?” Harlan asked as she hung up.

She shrugged as she turned to him. “What I expected. Except that I saw a few more signs of maturity peeping out around the edges. These last few weeks have changed Fiona, or maybe they’ve merely defined her. I can’t be sure. Perhaps we’ve all changed a bit.” She shook her head. “Did you get what you wanted from Belson?”

He nodded. “He’ll have a unit on their way to Kalim’s island shortly.”