The older man nodded, his eyes probing deeply into Eric’s. “Eric,” he finally said, “Dr. Denison is right. Don’t let your emotions take the reins now. Think very carefully about his offer. I see no other options. If your father were here, he’d say the same thing. There are no other options. Do you understand that?”

Eric finally nodded, his mouth a hard line. “Yes, I think I do.”

CHAPTER 10

“Miss Lambert?”

His voice startled her, for he hadn’t stirred at all from the cot.

“Are you there?”

“Yes, I’m here.”

“When is the Major coming for my decision?”

She glanced at her wrist. “At nine o’clock, about an hour from now.”

“I have a request.”

“Okay.”

“I’d like to ask you some questions before he comes.”

“All right, ask them. If I can answer them, I will.”

“No, not this way. I want you to come in here.”

Her eyebrows arched upward, and, as though he sensed her reaction, he sat up and turned to stare into the mirror. “Well?” he demanded.

“Why? I can hear you very well from here.”

“Yes, and you can see me too. Which gives you the definite advantage. I want to be able to see you. Then I’ll have a better idea if you try to lie to me.”

She sighed, then leaned over the mike, as though her nearness would more accurately convey her earnestness. “Mr. Lloyd, I told you that I’d always be totally honest with you. I know you have no reason to believe that, but—”

“Well, ironically enough I do believe it.” He smiled at her through the glass, the first time she’d seen a real smile from him. “At least I want to. But I need to be sure, and I can’t do that through a microphone.”

“I—I’m not sure I can.”

“Are you afraid of me?”

“No,” she answered quickly, a little surprised that that hadn’t occurred to her.

“I’ll sit clear across the cell, if you’d like.”

“I’m not afraid that you’ll hurt me, Mr. Lloyd. It’s just that I’ll have to get permission from the Major.”

“I don’t have any other engagements pending at the moment,” he said dryly. “Get it. I’ll wait right here.”

“All right, I’ll ask. Just a minute.”

As she stepped through the sliding door into his cell, Eric got quickly to his feet and made a tiny bow. “Well,” he said, “I’d about decided I’d scared you off.”

“No,” she said, giving him a cool smile, “you didn’t.”

“Sit down.” He motioned to the cot, waited until she sat down, then pulled the wooden stool up for himself.

“Who’s minding the store?” He motioned toward the mirror.

“Travis and the Major.”

“Figured so. Well, shall we begin?”

“Yes.” She put her hands in her lap and tried to appear completely relaxed.