“But with the same end result,” Reardon said. “You don’t like failure. That’s why you’ve been so annoyingly persistent about that Noura matter. I never understood why you interfered with my handling of Karim Raschid. Sometimes examples must be set. It was just business.”

“Business?” Alisa repeated. “Like the way you treated Sasha. Was she an example, too?”

“No, she was going to be pure pleasure. I got a taste of it last night. I guarantee I’ll have my fill if you’re not accommodating.” His gaze shifted back to Korgan. “We’re a good deal alike. We’re both successful businessmen, and I admit that you might have a slight advantage at the moment. But I can overcome that with a single bullet in this woman’s back. If she doesn’t die, she’d probably be crippled for life. So let’s get down to the deal. I want passage out of here. You put me on that helicopter, and I’ll let her go when I reach Morocco.”

“What about your friend Masenak?”

“I don’t care about Masenak. If you can find him, take him. Just get me out of here. He’s never understood the art of the deal, which is why he’s such a failure.”

“Where is he?” Alisa asked. “Did he find Sasha?”

“He thought he caught sight of her and told me to stay here on watch. It was fine with me. Sasha might be the prize, but I knew you’d be on the hunt. If I could gather in either one of you, I’d still get what I wanted.” He gestured with the gun. “And I’m very close now. You’re an optimist, Korgan. If you let me go, you’re going to think you can track me down again. Take the chance, and she might live.”

“Why do you think she’s important enough to me that I’d take that chance?” Korgan asked coldly. “You know you’ve always been my prime target. The only reason I’ve been helping her is that I knew she’d eventually lead me to you and Masenak. She’s done that now.”

A faint flicker of unease crossed his face. “I don’t believe you. You’re soft, Korgan. Everyone thinks you’re this great humanitarian. You wouldn’t let me kill her, even if you care nothing for her.”

But Korgan’s words had managed to shake him, Alisa realized. Distract him. Push a little harder.