“But church is over and I have to pee!” Angelina said abruptly.

It was obvious that the girl had no idea where she was or what she was saying. That was something the pack could use to their advantage.

And that’s when Tora was suddenly struck with an idea.

“Argus,” she said, her voice full of assurance and self-confidence. “You carry Angelina to the hospital as fast as you can.”

Argus nodded without question.

“And Harlan, you go back to the house and get some clothes for Argus.”

There was a puzzled expression on Harlan’s face, as if he didn’t understand what he was hearing.

“I want you to get Argus’s thick wool sweater, one of the ranger’s old fur hats, a pair of boots—the mukluks in the back hall—and the dirty brown pants that are hanging in the garage.”

Harlan still looked confused. “Why?” he asked.

Tora’s heart sank at the question. Harlan hadn’t questioned her when she’d sent him to scare off the searchers, but now it seemed like he was challenging her authority. “Look,” she said, “I know I’m not Noble…none of us are, but Noble’s not here, and one of us has got to take charge. If either of you has a plan, let’s hear it. If not, you’re just going to have to trust me and do what I say.”

“I don’t have a problem with it,” said Argus.

Harlan was silent a moment, as if thinking. Then he said, “What are you going to do?”

“I’ll travel with Argus, taking the girl from him if he needs a rest, and running interference if we cross paths with any searchers along the way.”

Harlan thought about it, then nodded. “All right,” he said. “What do you want me to do with the clothes?”

“Take them and meet us in the forest behind the hospital between the two big redwoods.”

Harlan nodded once, then darted into the forest.

Tora breathed a sigh of relief.

Argus gently picked up the girl in his massive arms and cradled her close to his chest so that her head was turned in and her eyes were covered.

“Don’t drop her,” said Tora.

Argus turned to her and smiled. “Thanks for the advice.”

And then he was off, taking three…four…five massive strides before Tora had taken one.

At this rate we’ll be at the hospital in no time, she thought.

As long as nothing goes wrong.

Chapter 21

“Here,” said Michael Martin, handing Maria Abruzzo a steaming cup of hot chocolate. Although he’d rather have been out in the woods searching, Tora had asked him to keep an eye on Maria, so that’s what he was doing.

Maria took the cup from him, sniffed at it, and asked, “Where did you get this from?”