“But then so am I…sometimes. Can you get those villagers to go into the jungle after Masenak in an emergency?”

“I told you we prefer not to involve them. It’s not their battle.”

“Just a thought. The unit I’m bringing in will be much more efficient anyway.” His gaze wandered to the edge of the jungle, where Margaret was apparently giving last-minute instructions to the villagers. “It appears we’re going to lose your friend shortly.” His glance shifted down to the gleaming cream-colored coat of the retriever at Margaret’s feet. “Beautiful dog. Odd to see a purebred retriever like that here in the jungle. She brought it with her?”

She nodded. “Juno goes almost everywhere with Margaret. It would be odd to me not to see them together.”

He stiffened. “Tell me she’s not taking that dog with her tonight. A white, possibly barking dog, to set off sentries? It would be like shining a searchlight out there in the darkness.”

“Juno won’t bark. She never does. And they won’t see her. She’ll mind Margaret.” She added soothingly, “It’s actually safer if Juno goes with her.” She watched Juno following Margaret into the trees. “And unless you intend to go tackle Margaret right now, I believe our conversation about Juno is over.”

“Tempting,” he said grimly. “But since I promised you I wouldn’t interfere with Margaret Douglas tonight, it might as well include that blasted dog.”

“Juno is a wonderful dog, and I wouldn’t let Margaret hear you malign her if I were you. She’s a peace-loving soul but that doesn’t extend to friends or animals, and Juno is both.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. If your Margaret manages to get back here without having one of Masenak’s sentries blow her head off.” He turned away and said curtly, “In the meantime, if you need to eat, you’d better go to the supply hut I saw beneath the tarp and grab something right away. I was promised information, and I’ll give you the time it takes me to build a fire and get myself another cup of coffee for you to keep that promise.”

“I’m not hungry,” she said quietly. “I realize you’re going to be on edge until you’re satisfied that you know everything I do. Go get your coffee. I’ll make the fire.” She smiled faintly. “You’ll find I’m very good at everything to do with camping. In fact, my first meeting with Margaret took place in the wilds. If you like, I might even tell you the story.”

“Don’t bother. First, I want to see a map of Masenak’s camp and any weaknesses I can exploit. I’m not interested in anything else unless it has to do with this rain forest and Masenak.”

“It does in a way.” She turned and started to gather wood. “Since it has to do with Sasha.”

“And who is Sasha?”

“Go get your coffee.”