“You patronizing son of a bitch.”

He suddenly chuckled. “It probably did sound like that. But I’m trying to handle this situation with tact, principally because I want to avoid having you leap at me and try to take me out the way you did at Avgar Forest.”

“You’re not succeeding.”

“I was afraid of that.” He made a face. “But just go along with me, Lara.” He bowed mockingly. “You might feel better if you know who you’re dealing with. I’m Logan Tanner and I have nothing to do with those bastards who sent you into that forest. I was sent to bring you out of there alive because I’m very good at it. I have two other employees on this plane. The pilot is Les Jordan, and Josh Mallory works with me and was down there in the forest with me.” He smiled faintly. “Mallory admired the way you took out Gregor. He said it was neat and clean. Neither of them will hurt you, and they have nothing to do with Volkov or your dear papa, either.” He started down the aisle. “I’ll make sure that it takes me at least ten minutes to get your coffee to give you time to think about the situation and get your questions in order. The bathroom is in the rear of the plane, and you won’t find any weapons. There are some parachutes in the closets, but I wouldn’t advise you jumping out. You have a much better chance with me, as you’ll see when we talk.” Then he disappeared from view.

She stared at the door for an instant before she slowly swung her legs to the floor. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Think. Absorb the situation. Consider Tanner and anything she had picked up about him. She didn’t know enough about what was happening to fit him into the scenario, but that wouldn’t stop her from analyzing, comparing him with the men she knew. Razov hadn’t had a chance with him. She hadn’t, either, though she might have done better if she could have taken him by surprise. So excellent warrior skills. Clever? Probably. He’d handled her as diplomatically as possible considering the situation. She got to her feet and headed for the bathroom. Explore her surroundings. Just because Tanner had said there were no weapons, it didn’t mean that was the truth. If possible, she had to find a weapon to fight him if he was as good as she suspected.

She went into the tiny bathroom and quickly relieved herself. Then she washed her face and hands to take off some of the mud and sweat of those days in the forest. It didn’t do much good, but it made her feel a little fresher and better able to cope. She checked the cabinets, but there were only towels and cleaning products. No weapons.

She left the bathroom and opened the door of the closet she’d passed on the way down the corridor. Four parachutes, a first-aid kit, some rations. Nothing really useful unless she wanted to jump out of the blasted plane. Not practical until she was able to figure out how to use those parachutes and found out where the plane was heading. For all she knew they might be over the ocean.