Gilroy nodded. “She’s right. It made me want to go to battle. You only handed me a weapon and a signed check, Korgan.” He added quickly, “Which I took with supreme gratitude, but there’s something to say for inspiration.” He turned away. “I’m out of here. When it comes time to ditch the Land Rover, you’ll find there are a lot of caves in these mountains where you can shelter. But keep an eye out for scorpions and snakes. I’ll be in touch.”

She watched him walk away. Damn, she wanted to go with him and not wait here for Margaret. Gilroy was doing something constructive. He might be getting something done. She looked back down at the map Korgan was still holding. “What are we waiting for? Shouldn’t we get back on the road?”

“If you like, until you admit that it would be better to wait until it gets lighter. Losing a few hours is better than driving off the mountain.” He held out his hand and pulled her to her feet. “It’s pitch dark and we’re not going to run into any cozily lit villages anywhere along the way. As Gilroy said, these Berbers are principally nomads and live rough.”

“We can try to get as far as we can,” she said quietly. “If it gets too bad, I won’t insist. It would be stupid of me to risk your life.”

“Only your own? Because you think you made a mistake?”

“That might be part of it. But it’s because I can’t bear it if I don’t do everything possible to keep her alive.” She added, “You know that, Korgan.”

“Yes, I know that.” He was pulling her across the road toward the car. “Okay, I’ll leave it up to you. We’ll go as long and as far as you tell me go.” He smiled recklessly. “I won’t stop until you tell me to do it. I’m in this for the long haul.”

She gazed at him uncertainly. “That’s not like you. You always want control.”

“But tonight I’m yielding it to you. That means I’m going to have to trust you, aren’t I?” He opened her door. “I’ll even let you determine how fast I should go.” The next moment he was behind the wheel and turning on the headlights. “Because I do trust you. You’re smart and you won’t let me die out here because you’re in too much of a hurry.” He was pulling into what served as a center lane on the rocky road. “How fast, Alisa?”

She frowned. “Are you daring me?”