She was searching his expression. It was harder than she’d ever seen it. “Gilroy was right, you were…eager in there. I told Margaret you weren’t into torture. Was I wrong?”

“It depends on the subject. Let’s say I have to be motivated. I’ve heard stories about what Baldwin did to villagers when he was on raids with Masenak.” He added: “And I have no trouble requiring he be totally compliant when I’m ready to move.” He looked at her. “Were you shocked?”

“No, I always knew you were tough. I just wasn’t sure how far you’d go. It surprised me.”

“I go as far as I have to go to get what I need,” he said simply. “As I told you, I believe in fairness. And I believe an eye for an eye is a very fair concept.” He smiled. “Plus I never turn the other cheek. There you have my philosophy.”

“You’re not that uncomplicated.” She shrugged. “And I wasn’t criticizing. Baldwin beheaded one of Sasha’s classmates and he has girls brought to his tent almost every night. He deserves anything anyone does to him.” She stopped and turned to face him. “But I have to know what you’re going to do. There was an…urgency about you in there. You were intense.” Her gaze went to the drones and weapons beneath the munitions enclosure. “You said you might be using him to trap Masenak. There’s no might to it now, is there? You’re going to try to do it.” She moistened her lips. “And it’s going to be right away.”

“As soon as possible. I wasn’t sure you’d be able to pull off bringing me Baldwin, but you did it.” His eyes were glittering. “And that means that I can start planning toward gathering up Masenak.”

“Not yet,” she said quickly.

“I know. I know,” he said impatiently. “Those students first. I didn’t forget.”

“I know you didn’t. I was just reminding you where the priority lies.”