He was silent. “Right,” he finally said. “And then I took care of a few details of my own, like getting out of the country. While I gave MacDuff the opportunity to do what I’d asked of him.” He added ruefully, “And waited until I could talk to you privately because I knew you’d see right through anything MacDuff told you when he was trying to protect your delicate feelings.”

“And you knew I had no delicate feelings to protect,” she said ironically. “You were quite right. I only wanted to know the truth so that I could take action if I needed to.” She braced herself. “I never ask about the assignments you take because I’d only worry, and no one knows better than I do how good you are at what you do. However, I believe I have to ask this time. You were worried about MacDuff’s Run. That strikes close to home. You wouldn’t have brought me here if you hadn’t thought it was safe. Do I need to leave here? Is MacDuff or any of his employees or villagers going to be in danger because I’m here?”

“No, I only called as a precaution, Jane. None of them are in actual danger as far as I know. The only one who has a bull’s-eye painted on his back is me. And since I have no intention of coming back to the Run anytime soon, everyone else should be safe. Both MI6 and MacDuff’s men are going to be there to make certain it stays that way.”

“And that’s supposed to make me feel better?” Jane tried to keep her voice steady. “Not until I know every detail of what’s going on. Particularly, that damn bull’s-eye. Give me the entire story, Caleb.”

She listened carefully, only asking a clarifying question every now and then until he stopped speaking. “Yes, I can see how they’d be a little irritated with you,” she said finally. “And I can see how you couldn’t resist going after that general and Bohdan. Not only a challenge, but you got a chance to save all those boys being terrorized and forced to be child soldiers by Bohdan.”

“Not yet,” Caleb said. “Stop making me out to be a hero. I didn’t know about the child army recruitment until I got to the Congo. MI6 thought if I got rid of the general in charge that Bohdan’s power would dissipate. That’s not going to happen. Then Zeller broke under questioning and I had no choice even if I wanted to go after Bohdan. I figure I only got half the job done before I had to go on the run.”

She tensed. “So you have to go back?”

“Not necessarily, I’ll have to see what can be done.”

“But I won’t be able to see you, be with you?”