Margaret’s brows rose. “You’re right, of course.” She tilted her head consideringly. “It’s much more sensible for you to do it. Then Masenak would have a captive he could torture and use against Sasha. Wouldn’t that be great? Just what we all want.”

“Margaret.”

“Just pointing out options. I know that would be your choice, and it’s even worse than Korgan’s idea. Which is probably why he’s so ‘uneasy.’ Depending on location, I might be able to get Juno close enough to her to convey a message, but you wanted someone on-site if she needed help.”

“I don’t want her to be alone again,” she said unsteadily.

“I know you don’t,” Margaret said gently as she met her gaze. “But now the problems have multiplied, haven’t they?”

She should have known Margaret knew her too well not to see beyond any defense Alisa could raise. “Not really. I’ll work it out. It’s only temporary.”

“Nothing is ever temporary for you. But you’re right, you’ll work it out.” She lifted her cup to her lips. “And I’ll be around to help if you need it.”

“You always are.” She grimaced. “But right now the only help I need is getting Sasha away from Jubaldar before that damn race.”

“At any cost,” Margaret said softly. “You forgot to add that. I’m sure Korgan could read it between the lines. It’s no wonder he was being foolish enough to tell me to look out for you.” She shook her head. “We won’t go in that direction. We’ve been friends too long. We’ll sit here and drink coffee and talk about old times while we wait for Korgan to go through his step one. Then we hope like hell he’ll come back to us with a plan for step two that makes sense to us. Deal?”

Alisa nodded. “Deal.” She poured herself a cup of coffee and then lifted it in a half toast to Margaret. “To my friend, to old times, and to step two.”

Chapter 12

Chapter
12

Samlir
2:13 A.M.

You got it?” Gilroy sprang to his feet as Korgan came out of the council chamber. “It took you long enough. I thought a man who was once invited to help negotiate a U.N. trade accord wouldn’t have a problem with a handful of Berber politicians. Have you lost your touch?”