“In which case we’ll just go after Sasha ourselves. But that’s not the way it’s going to turn out. I’ve watched Korgan during these last days. He’s fairly incredible. We were only aware of him as top gun and head military honcho before.” She leaned forward. “In between watching over you and making certain Jeanne had everything she needed, he was on the phone with CIA director Lakewood, smoothing down ruffled feathers and persuading them that they should take full credit for the rescue. He said he wouldn’t dispute anything they said to that effect.” She paused. “But only if they named you as the heroine of the hour, you kept your job, and they didn’t press any charges against you for insubordination. He got what he wanted. It wasn’t easy. Lakewood was furious with him, and it didn’t matter that he’d saved not only those students but Lakewood’s own ass. Korgan pulled every string he had, and you came out of it smelling like the proverbial rose.”

“But without Sasha.”

“That will be next on the agenda. He’s cleared the decks. He’s ready to support you. He’s just scared he’s going to get you killed. I don’t imagine he’s a man who is often scared, and he doesn’t know how to handle it.” She reached out and pressed Alisa’s hand. “Don’t mess this up because you want to cling to your independence and not let anyone take care of Sasha but you. You’ve always closed everyone out of what the two of you have together.”

“Not you.”

“No, I was allowed to slip in under the wire. But you can’t afford to close Korgan out. It would be dangerous for Sasha.” She was silent a moment. “And not fair to Korgan. He promised he’d get those students out of that camp, and he did. That was practically a miracle. Yes, he failed to free Sasha, but he was within a heartbeat of taking out Masenak and getting her, too. Now it’s only fair to give him another chance to do it with our full cooperation.”

Fairness is important to me. I regard it as one of the prime virtues in a corrupt world.

“Maybe you’re right,” she said slowly. “I know Korgan believes in fairness, too. I’ll think about what you’ve said.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “I’m just so afraid for her, Margaret. I thought I was close to having Sasha back. Then I wake from this nightmare and find her gone again and Korgan telling me what to do. It made me feel helpless, as if he was taking her away from me again.”