“Well, someone had to do it, and neither of us could go hunting for a place where they’d be safe.” She added, “What did Korgan want from you?”

“A complete schedule and estimate of personnel in Masenak’s little army here. When and where the guards were stationed. I told him there might be changes once Reardon got here. He wants those changes as well.” He frowned. “He mentioned that Director Lakewood might be a problem that we’ll have to deal with sooner rather than later. I didn’t like the sound of that.”

“Then you should go take care of it yourself. I’m sure you don’t have enough to do here at Jubaldar.”

“Sarcasm, again.”

“A little. I actually think Alisa will be able to handle her boss if there’s need. Surely he’ll help if he sees any threat.”

“He might not know how extreme the threat could be. Or feel a little too eager to squash the threat and ignore any victims.” He shrugged. “But Korgan will take care of him.”

“I’m not concerned with Korgan at the moment.” She set down the bucket at Chaos’s stall. “Give me the phones and the guns. We’ve got to hide them.”

He took the phones out of his jacket pocket and handed them to her. “With Chaos as guard?” He was scowling as he also pulled out the two guns from his jacket and gave them to her. “I still don’t like the idea.”

“You will. You know it’s the safest place.” She put the phones and guns in a burlap feed bag and opened the door of the stall. “Once you become accustomed to each other.”

“Dogs like me. I’m not sure about horses. The most I can say is that none of the horses has kicked me when I was cleaning out the stalls since I’ve been here.” He was gazing warily at Chaos. “That’s not exactly conclusive. Rather than chance it, I’m willing to let you be sole custodian.”

She shook her head. “Just give me fifteen or twenty minutes alone with Chaos to explain what we’re doing and then I’ll let the two of you get to know each other.”

“I can hardly wait,” he said dryly.

“It will be fine. Would I let anything happen to you? I need you. I even like you.” She drew a deep breath as she entered the stall. As Gilroy had noticed, Chaos seemed mellow tonight. If she was persuasive and played on what she knew of the stallion, this might work out. But she’d still better stay very, very close in case it didn’t.