“She was telling you the truth.” Korgan’s gaze was on her face. “There’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to bring Sasha back here tonight.” He paused. “Margaret was right, I’m on edge, but not because I doubt myself. I never said I was perfect, but I’ve done the best I can down to the last detail. It’s a damn good best. Those students are going to be on Gilroy’s helicopter out of here by dawn tomorrow. I promise you.”

“That’s good. That’s all I wanted,” she said wearily. Then she made a face. “No, I also wanted you not to growl at me when I dared to say there might be problems tonight. You were acting like the ass she called you.”

“Yes, I was,” he said immediately.

“That was almost too easy.” She hesitated. “And I’m worried about Masenak. He could give Sasha trouble after those drones takes out his troops unless you stop him before he can make a move. What about using one of the sharpshooters?”

“Excellent thought, but I prefer to get him away from the camp entirely and not rely on even the finest marksman. It’s already arranged.”

“How?”

“Thanks to Gilroy, Masenak will get a call from the soldiers guarding his helicopter site. They’ll tell him that Baldwin wandered into their camp drunk as a skunk and wanting to talk to him. That should bring him running.”

“And then?”

“And then you leave Masenak to me,” he said softly. “There might have to be a third drone launched in his direction to make sure he’s no longer a problem.”

She was silent. “You didn’t want to do that. You wanted to use him to trap Reardon.”

“I told you I’d make a decision. I’ve made it. The timing is running too close. I promised you that I’d get those students out. I might not be able to extract them unless I get rid of Masenak at the beginning of the operation. I’ll take him down now and find a way to get Reardon later.” He turned away as Vogel came out of the munitions shed but then abruptly swung back to her. “You don’t have to go in that truck tonight. Vogel’s team are experts, and he has plenty of men. He doesn’t need you.”

She stared at him in bewilderment. “But I need to go,” she said quietly. “Sasha…”

“Why did I even try?” He was cursing softly as he turned back toward Vogel. “Then at least stay in the truck, dammit.”

*  *  *

Prisoner Tent
1:25 A.M.