He glanced briefly at Isabeau as she was helped from the car by a solicitous Elijah. He swept his arm around her, bringing her under his shoulder, ignoring her wince with every step she took. She was still walking gingerly, a little bent over, but she stood, eyes apparently downcast, the picture of a woman under a man’s complete control. Elijah looked satisfied and even arrogant, his gaze boldly sweeping the estate as if comparing it with his own.

Imelda came out to greet them, shaking hands with Marcos and Elijah. Conner saw her gaze rest thoughtfully a few moments on Isabeau. She took off her sunglasses and smiled.

“How are you . . . Isabeau, isn’t it?”

Isabeau played her part perfectly, glancing nervously up at Elijah as if asking permission to speak. His cool gaze swept her face and he barely nodded, the gesture nearly imperceptible, but just enough for Imelda to catch it.

“Fine, thank you,” Isabeau intoned, her voice barely audible.

“I’m so glad you came with your . . . cousin.” Deliberately Imelda linked her arm to Isabeau’s and swung her around toward the house, calling out over her shoulder, “Do come in. I’m so pleased to have guests.”

Conner knew she couldn’t fail to feel Isabeau’s wince, and she deliberately set a brisk pace to force Isabeau to keep up with her. She was enjoying not only Isabeau’s humiliation, but her pain. His gut twisted as Imelda sent him a smoldering look that promised all kinds of things he didn’t want. He could see Imelda’s fingers touching Isabeau and wanted to tear his wife away from the woman who was so deliberately cruel. He realized he didn’t want Isabeau to work with him in this business, seeing the worst of people. He wanted her somewhere safe where she would always keep her faith in humanity.

He fell in behind Marcos, taking in the position of every guard and each structure. There was a large water tower with a narrow wooden staircase. He figured it was more of a convenience for a sniper to see everything than an actual needed tower. There appeared to be another water tank, near a pump house. Guards moved in three places on the wall, in small cubicles built on top of it. There were several of those where a soldier who was a good shot would have command of the forest around him, yet have good protection.