“At last, someone who recognizes my importance.” Korgan was strolling toward them. “Your friend Alisa very rudely left me in the dirt to greet you.” He held out his hand. “You’re Margaret Douglas? I’m Gabe Korgan. I’ve been anxious to meet you.”

That brilliant smile never left her face as Margaret shook his hand. “Me, too. Though I wasn’t sure I’d get to meet you,” she added ruefully. “Alisa thought we might have to rely on what she could pull together by stealing that info from you. I’m glad she managed to make you see the light. You won’t be sorry.”

“I’m not at all sure you’re right about that,” he murmured. “But I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t willing to be convinced.”

And in spite of Margaret’s brutally frank remarks, he was smiling at her, Alisa realized. But then everyone usually smiled at Margaret. She had realized that when they had met that day years ago in the Arizona desert. She had first mistaken Margaret for a fresh-faced college girl because of that glowing vitality about her: the gold-streaked hair and tan skin, that luminous smile that seemed to be lit from within, and the blue eyes that were usually shining with humor. It was difficult not to return that smile.

“We’ll convince you.” Margaret’s eyes were twinkling. “Between us we can be very persuasive. Alisa says that you’re not a selfish monster like Masenak, and that’s a good start. If anything, you’ve just probably had too much money for too long. It’s difficult keeping a good sense of values when everyone thinks you’re king of the world.”

“I’m glad you might think I’m worth saving,” he said dryly. “But I’m having trouble being convinced of anything while I feel this much in the dark. I have the distinct feeling all I’m getting is half-truths from either of you. That’s usually not my modus operandi.”

“We know that,” Alisa said quickly. “I’m not really trying to keep any secrets from you. Well, I was, but that’s over. I just didn’t want to startle you or give you any wrong ideas. Vogel said you were very cynical, and I didn’t want to trigger anything negative.”

“Trigger it,” he said crisply. “I’m the one to decide if it’s negative or not.”

“I’m out of here,” Margaret said. “I believe that’s the cue for me to fade into the sunset.” She glanced at Alisa. “I’ll go and supervise the villagers moving the helicopter beneath that tarp beside the lake, and then I have to get out of here. It will be dark in the jungle in another hour and I have to get back to Masenak’s camp and see if there’ve been any developments.”

Alisa stiffened as she heard Korgan start to swear when he caught that last sentence. She’d known it was coming, but there was no way to prepare for it. He whirled on Alisa. “Masenak’s camp?”