“Does your head hurt?” she asked, sitting down beside him.

“A little.”

“You did good work today, lad, as good as any man.” She wrapped an arm around his shoulders and hugged him.

He smiled faintly. Sammy might be mischievous, but he had proven himself when it mattered.

Even though she had far exceeded her doctor’s physical mandates and her body screamed for relief, her day’s work was not finished.

It was highly doubtful that Gilmont had obtained their location so soon. Even if he had started a search, it would be in the vicinity of the 4x4. For tonight, at least, they were safe. Tomorrow, she wouldn’t bet on it.

“I’ve got to cook this pheasant up at the cave. I’d love for you to come with me, but I can’t carry you back if you get sleepy. If you want to stay here, I’ll tuck you in and cover the entrance with boughs to block the wind.”

“What if somebody comes while you’re gone?” Sammy asked, his eyes big.

“No one knows where we are. I’d never leave you if I thought there was the slightest chance of our being found.”

“I’m coming with you,” Sammy said decisively.

Good choice. She wouldn’t have forced the issue tonight, not in his exhausted state, but she hadn’t wanted to leave him either.

“Will someone sleep in our shelter while we’re away?” Sammy asked, sounding like a vinyl with a skip.

“Not a chance.”

Turning, she picked up the bird and the lighter and started for the ridge. The pheasant might be their only food for several days. She’d have to ration the meat because she, like Sammy, would rather not eat bugs.

Inside his room at a small bed-and-breakfast, Gilmont booted up his laptop. While waiting to join the video meeting, he took in the floral décor and sloping mattress that hearkened back two decades. Soon he would leave this life of frugality behind. He was so close to achieving his goal. He could almost taste the victory.

Callie, a blonde with turquoise-streaked hair, and Joe, a thin man with an olive complexion, had already signed in and were in the waiting room. Both were brilliant biotechnologists who used live plants to design biological products.

Hicks joined next; he was one of the few twenty-somethings elected to parliament. The young man had a bright future in politics—one in which Gilmont had invested heavily to promote his own ultimate agendas.

“Hello, Professor,” Hicks said with a polite nod.

“Hicks. Glad you could join us.” A surge of real pleasure filled Gilmont. Other than Danny Travis, Hicks had shown the greatest potential for growing Gilmont’s businesses.