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“I know that,” he said soberly. “We talked about it. But that was when I was still a prisoner. What she said made sense. It was safer for both of us. But everything is different now. I can’t let her stay there. I always told her that I’d take care of her. She laughed about it, but I meant it.”

“I’m sure you did, but your dad still wouldn’t permit it. Trust him to take care of your mom.”

“I do trust him. But now it’s also my job, and I can’t do anything else.” His lips tightened. “My dad has taught me a lot, and there are other things I already know that will help me do what has to be done.”

She frowned. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I know you don’t. But my dad will, and even if he doesn’t like the idea of me going with him, he’ll understand that I might be able to help us get Mom away from them.

” He suddenly smiled gently. “I thank you for all you’ve done for us, but I can’t do what you want, Kontara.

And now I have to go and talk to my father. ”

“By all means.” She gestured to where Joe was sitting talking to Rashid. “That’s probably for the best anyway. Perhaps he can talk some sense into you. I don’t seem to be doing very well.”

“You’ve said everything you should have said,” Michael said as he started across the camp. “Mom would have agreed with you. But it’s just something I have to do.”

He stopped a few yards before he reached his dad and stood waiting. Joe must have felt Michael staring at him because he suddenly broke off what he was saying to Rashid and then stiffened as he met Michael’s eyes. He got to his feet and strolled over to him.

“Kontara said tonight at midnight,” Michael said quietly.

“I know. Rashid told me.” He was gazing at him searchingly. “And you have something to say to me?”

“I don’t have to say it, do I?” Michael asked. “I have to go with you.”

“You don’t have to do anything. You’re a kid and that takes you out of the game.”

“It’s Mom,” Michael said. “And that puts me right back into it. But if you don’t take me with you, I’ll follow you and be there when I’m needed.”

His dad muttered a curse. “You know I don’t want you to do this?”

“I know that she’s special to both of us, and we should do it together. Which way do you want it? Do you take me with you, or do I follow you?”

He sighed. “I take you with me. But you obey every rule I’ve ever taught you, dammit.”

Michael grinned. “Of course, you’re always the boss. I’m just along to aid and assist.”

“I had my doubts about that for a few minutes.”

“No, you didn’t. It’s just hard for you to realize that it’s time for you to look at me in a different way. Though you’re not like Mom, who seems to want me to stay a kid.”

“Because she doesn’t want to let you go,” he said gruffly. “Nothing wrong with that.”

“Nothing in this world or the next,” Michael said. “It’s kind of wonderful.” He was walking away. “I’m going to get something to eat and then I’ll come and sit down with you and listen to all the words of wisdom that will be swirling around you and Dominic. I promise I won’t interfere.”

“You’d be better off taking a nap.”

“Whatever you say… I’m only here to listen and to please you…” He glanced back over his shoulder. “And admire that you’re clever enough to listen to me and pay attention even when you don’t want to. It’s no wonder I respect you as much as I do.”

“Because I’m doing what you want me to?”

“Perhaps a little. But mostly because you trust what you’ve taught me and you know I won’t do anything to let you down. That’s kind of wonderful too, Dad…”

EVE’S WORKROOM

SHAFIRA

TWO DAYS LATER

“Did you think I’d forgotten about you?” Caldwell asked as he threw open the door leading to Eve’s quarters. “You’re not that lucky. I was busy, so I gave you a couple days to let our Celine recover before I brought her to Zakira’s attention again.”

Eve stood and stepped toward him as he searched the room.

Caldwell was obviously more stressed than he had been earlier.

“Where the hell is she? I want to make certain that she’s progressing just the way Zakira would want her to.

” He smiled maliciously. “You might say I have a vested interest in their future relationship.”

“So I’ve heard,” Eve said coldly. “She was wounded, remember? I’ve just been giving her a chance to rest and heal.

I’m sure you realize I wouldn’t be able to whisk Celine out of this place without you knowing it.

Not with you sending Jossland in here every few hours to check that she was still firmly under your thumb.

He sometimes glares at her like a starving man would a prime rib steak. ”

“I assure you, Jossland enjoyed those visits enormously,” Caldwell said. “That’s why I assigned him as her sole jailer. I knew he’d still be hoping I’d change my mind and turn him loose on her. I had to reward the poor guy in some way for all he’s gone through since she came into his life.”

“You’re both cowards to gang up on a wounded woman.” She paused. “Why were you so busy? Were you trying to hunt down my son?”

“Naturally, I was hoping to find a way to get him back. I liked the situation I’d set up with the two of you.

” He shrugged. “But this damn country frustrates the hell out of me. I couldn’t find any trace of him after that first day.

Don’t be too pleased with yourself, though.

I’ll go on the hunt again as soon as I take care of this business with Zakira.

In the meantime, I’ll let Zakira’s soldiers try to find Quinn and that bitch who brought him knocking on your door.

Though having Celine may turn out to be even more valuable and satisfying.

Jossland was sure Alex Dominic was sleeping with her before she left Boston.

I might be able to make an even more profitable deal…

To the victor belongs the spoils, and I’m almost always the victor.

” He frowned. “Now stop making excuses. Do I have to tear this place apart, or are you going to tell me where she is?”

Eve nodded toward the connecting door to the workroom. “She spends a lot of time with me when I’m working on Folashade.” Her smile was almost catlike. “You can tell Zakira that even when I’m not actively working on the mask itself, I keep her on hand to inspire me.”

“Enjoying yourself?” He was already striding toward the door.

“Well, that has to stop, and I have a few ideas what I can do to replace it.” He threw open the door and then stopped as he saw Celine sitting in a chair beside the gold sarcophagus.

“Ah, there you are.” He strode toward her.

“Hello, Celine. I believe Eve was trying to hide you away from me. I wonder why she’d do that?

” He lit his phone flashlight and shone it on her face. “Do you have any ideas?”

“I’m sure you think that you do,” Celine said. “Why should I help?”

He was turning her face from side to side and then examining her throat and torso.

He gave a low whistle. “You must have a very good constitution. You’ve healed amazingly well during the past few days.

A little bit on the pale side… but only a little, and the rest is very close to that photo I gave Zakira.

As soon as I add a few other embellishments, you’ll be ready to go on display.

” He took a few steps back and gazed at her appraisingly.

“You’re absolutely what that fool Zakira thinks you should be. ”

“Hooray,” Celine said sardonically. “Just what I always wanted.”

Eve was suddenly standing beside Celine. “But that will only convince Zakira that he should allow me more time to complete the death mask.”

“We’ll have to see about that,” Caldwell said. “He has a vision, and I’ve been feeding it with my own inimitable skill. But I’m almost ready to close the trap now.” He reached out and patted Celine’s cheek. “And you’re such an incredibly enticing bait for that trap.”

“Why are you in such a hurry?” Eve asked. “You appear to be a little uneasy.”

“Nonsense.” Caldwell shrugged. “I’m just a very careful man, and I might have heard that there have been sightings of strangers in the area in the past few days.

Nothing definite, but I’ve decided to give the priest what he wants and take what I want in return.

” He turned on his heel. “Take good care of her, Eve. I have to go gather those embellishments I mentioned. I’ll send Jossland with them a bit later.

I guarantee he’ll enjoy that just as much as he has his other visits with you. ”

The door slammed behind him.

“Damn him,” Eve murmured. “I was hoping to buy more time. I still may be able to talk Zakira into giving it to me.”

“If not, then we’ll just have to think of something else,” Celine said.

“I know you did everything you could. Caldwell is getting impatient.” She grimaced.

“And a lot of it was my fault for stretching him to the limit when I was on the run.” She turned and stroked the gold sarcophagus.

“Thanks for the company, Folashade, but I think I might have to be on my own from now on.”

“We can’t be sure of that,” Eve said. “In spite of what he said, Caldwell hasn’t been able to find a definite trace of Michael or anyone else that we know would be on the hunt for you.

” She smiled. “Or me. He’s getting very frustrated.

I’m afraid I wasn’t sympathetic enough. I was too happy when he mentioned those strangers that might get in his way.

The poor man evidently doesn’t realize what he’s going to have to face when he does catch up with them. ”

“I don’t feel at all sorry for him,” Celine said. “He’s a little too pleased with himself, and he gave the orders to kill Barnaby. I can’t ever forget that.” She wearily shook her head. “And I want him out of our lives so I don’t have to worry about Dominic.”

“Point taken,” Eve said. “But from my experience with you, I don’t believe that you won’t bounce back when you get a chance.”

Celine blinked and then she found she was chuckling. “I can’t, either. I must still be a little under the weather. But I suppose I’ll have to make an adjustment or two if those ’embellishments’ that Caldwell is sending turn out to be troublesome.”

“It might be just as well to keep that in mind,” Eve said. “Caldwell seems to have an affinity for troublesome situations.” She paused. “But I’ll wait here with you and we’ll see what he has in store for us this time…”

“In store for me, not you, Eve,” Celine said gently. “You and Folashade might have to sit this one out together.”

Eve smiled. “Like I said, we’ll have to see what he has in store for us.”