Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

NEXT DAY

8:00 A.M.

"I love your island," Fiona shouted as she jumped out of the transport plane and ran toward Kira, who was coming down the hill to greet her. "I've already checked it out from the air, and Domino is going to love it, too." She grabbed Kira and turned her around in an exuberant circle. "He's a little nervous right now. I knew he would be, so I took the trip with him to soothe him. Though I don't really know why he should be. Those transport planes are luxurious as hell, and the horses are pampered like kings. I guess it's because he's not nearly as accustomed to being transported as Golden Boy. But he'll get over it. Golden Boy has had to be flown quite a bit since he became an Olympic superstar." She was motioning to one of the grooms to take Domino's lead. "The other transport plane landed an hour ago, and Harlan arranged to have Golden Boy taken to the stable and settled into a stall. He said to tell you to wait for him here until he gets back, that it was your responsibility to take care of me, and that Belson would be here in a few minutes." She made a face. "But I'd rather go up and get Domino settled. How about it?"

"Don't tempt her." Harlan was coming out of the clinic. "I've arranged breakfast for you, and she needs to introduce you to her good friend Sarah." He looked at Kira. "I thought you might like to be the one to do that, and I knew you'd want Fiona's first day to be as smooth as possible."

"No fun and games?" she asked with brows raised.

"Nary a one. I made a promise. Belson was told to bring you straight to the stables if you requested it. I thought that would be okay. But wouldn't you like to take her to meet Sarah?"

"You know I would." She turned and linked arms with Fiona. "Come on. She's an extraordinary woman and you'll see how lucky you are to have her in your corner. She taught me everything she knows about caring for animals and was right beside me whenever I wanted to experiment on something new and different." She looked over her shoulder at Harlan as she pulled Fiona toward the clinic. "I'll take care of Fiona. You and the groom can get Domino settled. If you're lucky, we might leave you a bite of breakfast."

He nodded and touched his hand meekly to his forehead. "Yes, ma'am. Whatever you say, ma'am." He was strolling toward the transport plane, gesturing to the groom to follow him. "I'll see you later, Fiona. It seems I have work to do."

Fiona gazed speculatively after him and then back at Kira. "Harlan is being very accommodating to you. Almost suspiciously so. It's usually my uncle who gives all the orders. Did I miss something?"

"Nothing that would be important to you. You'll still have all the security that you're accustomed to under his watch. Both you and your horses will be safe from any interference. We just clarified an agreement that we made about a few other details." She changed the subject. "He did tell you that we have to leave tonight for Egypt for a few weeks to take care of that business?"

Fiona nodded with a frown. "He called me last night. I told him I didn't like it. I'm not stupid. Usually whenever he goes anywhere and arranges protection for me, it has to do with Taylor. Coming here was going to be different, and I was relieved because I knew he wouldn't want to send you anywhere into danger after he'd just saved your life. Right?"

How could Kira explain that she was the one who had lured Harlan into risking his life by making this deal that gave him the chance to confront Taylor once more? Fiona had been a victim all her young life, and the only person she really cared about was Jack Harlan. Which meant the only thing Kira could do was to make the same promise she'd made Harlan. "I'll take good care of him. Nothing is going to happen to your uncle while we're in Egypt. He's just going to meet a friend of mine, and then we'll be coming back here and I'll start running diagnostics on your horses. Until then, you'll be in the hands of the trainers and vets who work here on Summer Island. They're experts hired by Sarah. You'll like all of them."

"I'm sure I will." Fiona shook her head ruefully. "And I promise I'll work very hard until you get back. If you'll promise to keep that promise you've just made me." She was nibbling nervously at her lower lip. "I can't lose Harlan, too, Kira. I can't tell you how good he's been to me. He's all I have."

"I know." Kira squeezed her arm. "You have nothing to worry about, I promise. Your uncle is very good at taking care of himself, and I'll take care of him, too. Now, can we forget everything but having a good time today here on this island I love? There are so many things I want to show you and tell you about how I trained Mack here." She saw Sarah coming out of the clinic and heading toward them and waved. "And how Sarah tried her very best to train me. Bless her heart. What a headache I was to her…"

SUMMER ISLAND

TWELVE HOURS LATER

The sun was going down in pink-and-violet splendor when Sarah walked Kira back to the jet that evening. "It was a good day. I like your Fiona. She's full of vim and vigor and maybe a little bit of the devil. She reminds me of you when you first came here. She has the same drive and stamina with those horses that you had with Mack and the other dogs." She chuckled as she glanced sideways at Kira. "I'll be glad to look in on her occasionally until you return, if you don't mind. That way, I won't miss you nearly as much."

"Are you kidding? I'll look forward to it, and she'll have someone to bond with that's not military or one of the horse brigade. She's going to miss Harlan."

"I can see how she might," Sarah said. "He's not only family, he's brilliant and charming and he's a good guy. By the way, where did she disappear to after dinner tonight?"

"She told me she was going to say good night to the horses at the stable and then meet us at the jet. I think she wanted a few moments with Harlan before he left. She's a little worried about him. She told me that he's always been good to her. She might even have a few plans that involve him and this trip. You can never tell what mischief Fiona will be up to."

"And how has he been to you?" Sarah asked. "You've appeared to be getting along well since I came here." She tilted her head, thinking. "What's not to like? Let's see… Besides all the things I mentioned… he's complicated, a scientific genius, a brilliant soldier and strategist. Many women would find him desirable enough to do some in-depth hunting in his direction. Why not?"

"You forgot that he can be very difficult."

"And…?"

Kira shrugged. "He's everything else you mentioned. What else can I say? I owe him. He saved my life and Mack's. But that's not why I'm going to get on his jet and fly off to Egypt with him. We both have a purpose and we have to do what's necessary."

"Taylor?"

"That's a big part. I want him out of our lives."

"Any other reason?"

Kira laughed. "You're matchmaking again, aren't you? Back off."

"I saw… something. I just thought it might be hope on the horizon."

"I owe Harlan," Kira said again. "And he wants Taylor dead if he can talk me into it. Not exactly the most romantic circumstances for you to work with, Sarah. Go home to John where you have the real thing."

"I do… constantly." She laughed. "And I can't wait, even after all these years together. That's how I know it is the real thing. I'm just trying to spread the good word to all and sundry."

"Kira!" Fiona was opening the jet cockpit door and then running toward them across the tarmac. "It's about time you got here, Kira. I've decided I need your help and support. I was just trying to talk Harlan into taking me along with you to Egypt. I've never been there, and you told me there are some magnificent horses raised by your friend Kalim that I might be able to persuade Harlan to buy for my stable."

"I doubt if Kira made any promises." Harlan was getting out of the plane and coming around to greet them. "I tried before, and her friend Kalim wouldn't even see me," he said dryly. "But I'll promise to try again while I'm there with Kira. She might have influence that I don't." He smiled at Kira. "I agree with Fiona that you're running a little late. I was about to come and look for you."

"I didn't think that you were in that much of a hurry. You said sunset." She gazed out at the red-streaked sky. "I'd say I'm right on time."

"You would be… if I hadn't decided we needed to leave a little earlier."

Kira glanced at him in surprise. "Then that was obviously your doing. That's hardly my fault, Harlan."

"True, that's why I was going to go find you. I didn't say I was right about it."

"And you admit it? Amazing."

"It does happen occasionally," he said solemnly. "I just try to keep it under control."

Kira tried to keep her lips from twitching with amusement. "Like you do everything else?"

He nodded. "It's so rare. I knew you'd understand."

Kira nodded as she looked back at Fiona. "Not really. But I do understand you'd probably want to talk to Fiona alone to say goodbye."

His eyes narrowed. "But since I've noticed the two of you have become very close indeed during the past few days, it may be you thought she'd have a better chance of getting whatever she wanted if she had more time to concentrate her attention on persuading me?" He gave Fiona a quick kiss on the cheek. "It's okay, Fiona. This is something I do understand."

"No, you don't," Kira said as she took a step closer to him. "Not everyone wants something from you, Harlan. Fiona doesn't. I'm sure she'd rather have your company than one of Kalim's horses."

"I was joking." Harlan was no longer smiling. "Sometimes I can only give what I can, when I can," he said quietly. "And I believe she knows me well enough to realize that. If she doesn't, then I've completely failed her."

Kira could tell he meant every word; she was probably the one at fault, she thought ruefully. As usual, she might have jumped too quickly to conclusions when it came to someone as complicated as Harlan. "Then I apologize for poking my nose into your business when I had no right," she said. "It won't happen again."

He shrugged. "You were just protecting Fiona from me. It's no surprise. I've noticed you have a habit of trying to save the world and all the creatures in it. You didn't realize that Fiona and I don't need saving, not even from each other."

Then he walked across the tarmac toward where Sarah was standing and shook her hand. "It's been a pleasure getting to know you, Sarah. I'll tell John he's a lucky man. Thank you for letting my guards tear up your beautiful island. I'll make sure they repair any damage. You'll find it better than when you turned it over to me." He grimaced. "And the first thing on my list is a brand-new runway that will accommodate all the jets we'll need to bring in the rebuilding crews."

"That sounds great. I'm not worried," Sarah said. "You're an honest man, Harlan. Just take care of Kira, and we'll call it even."

"If I'm allowed." He held out his hand to help Kira into the plane. "Sometimes it's difficult."

Then he turned and took Fiona into his arms. "Take care of yourself. I'll work hard on getting you a horse from Kalim."

She held him close and said huskily, "I don't want his stinking horse. I'd find a way to get it myself if I did. Just come back soon, Harlan."

"I have every intention of doing that." He grinned. "And if you ever meet him, I wouldn't call any of Kalim's fantastic horses ‘stinking' to his face. It's not only rude, it's inaccurate, and we might want to do business with him in the future."

"I'll remember." She was backing away from him across the tarmac. "And I'll take care of Domino for you, Kira. But come back soon or he might forget you. I can't be expected to do everything, you know."

"He is your horse, Fiona," Kira reminded her as she put Mack in his seat in the row behind her own. "But we'll both be back before you know it." Then she was buckling her own seat belt as Harlan started the engines and the jet taxied down the runway.

She didn't speak again until Harlan was in the air and setting their course. Then she turned to face him. "Why were you going to leave the island early? Is there a problem? I thought you said Captain Darue had everything under control." She stiffened. "More drones?" Then she relaxed. "No, you wouldn't have left if there had been any trouble."

"I'm glad you have that much faith in me at least." He nodded. "No current danger. I just thought there was a possibility we might need more aircraft once we've reached Kalim's Hathor. As it happens, I have a factory outside Morocco where it might be convenient to store my second Gulfstream if Taylor decides to make the situation difficult for us in the area. I sent Belson to fly the Gulfstream out earlier today with orders to get it ready… just in case."

"Why would you think Taylor might cause problems in the area? Is that a possibility?"

"Anything is a possibility where Taylor is concerned. There are hundreds of islands in the Mediterranean, some of them not even charted. Plus over a thousand Egyptian islands alone. It wouldn't surprise me if Taylor had found himself a cozy little paradise somewhere near where the media might have mentioned you'd been working lately."

She made a face. "That's not exactly reassuring. What are the odds?"

"Nothing for you to worry about yet. I have no idea. That's another thing Belson is going to try to determine on this trip. Besides collecting a few reports from my main executives in charge of engineering in the lab. Something about what you said regarding those wells off Kalim's island of Hathor made me wonder if one of my current projects might turn out to be useful to us."

"Why?" Kira frowned. "What kind of factory is it? What are you building in this lab?"

"That's what I'm wondering." He smiled mischievously. "I've found my work has a habit of changing and transforming as it goes along. I'm never sure until the final tests."

"Then heaven help us."

His grin deepened. "Oh, I do hope it does. But I think I can assure you it's not a super hydrogen bomb. No, it's actually a lab where I've been doing some preliminary research for the Pentagon. It's still in its early stages, but I plan to keep it out of the hands of the politicians until I decide whether I want to let them buy it. So I set up the factory in Morocco where I could have sole control."

"Your favorite state of being," Kira said mockingly.

"Yep," he agreed. "And I've noticed you have definite leanings in that same direction. You gave me hell in Colorado."

"You wouldn't let me do my job the way I wanted to." She paused. "But we're still taking your jet to Hathor first? Kalim would regard it as an insult if we consider him an afterthought and not the main attraction."

"He's definitely the main attraction," Harlan said sourly. "I can hardly wait to meet him. I'll phone Belson on our way to see the great man and have him bring me the engineering reports after I'm sure Kalim's not going to behead me."

"Don't be absurd." She couldn't keep her lips from twitching. "I've heard Kalim hasn't beheaded anyone in decades. I'm certain he wouldn't make an exception in your case." She added thoughtfully, "Unless he thought it would gain him some kind of additional prestige among his people on Hathor. You are considered very important in some circles."

"Very amusing."

She was chuckling. "Relax. Fiona would never forgive me if I let anyone hurt you. You're quite safe."

"What a relief." Harlan shot her a glance. "But it's a long trip, and you've already had an exhausting day. I'd feel better if you'd take a nap on the plane, so that you'll be fresh when you have to confront Kalim and his merry band to save me."

"You might be right." She leaned over the seat and gave Mack a pat on his head. "When I'm sleeping, keep him company, Mack. I honestly believe he's trying to help us, and we can't let anything happen to him. Just like he took care of us… We have to regard it as our duty and privilege."

"Thank you for clarifying that for him," Harlan said wryly. "I'm truly touched."

Harlan gave a low whistle as his jet circled the private airport on Kalim's island of Hathor. "Very luxurious. Plus, I've seen air force training centers that didn't have as much ground equipment or personnel as what we're looking at down there. And I think he's got more military personnel than Captain Darue has in the escort coming out of that mini-castle down by that lake." Harlan was gazing at what appeared to be a gleaming, white marble palace with lattice carvings and curved windows that were pure Indo-Islamic in nature. "It looks a little like the Taj Mahal."

"Kalim will be pleased you're impressed," Kira said. "Everything about the island is meant to look like it was built for royalty. It's a family tradition passed from father to son for generations. I believe it may have started out as a question of pharaoh envy. After all, they lived like kings, ruling everyone on their property; the pharaohs came to them when they needed fine horses for battle or breeding. They probably didn't see why they shouldn't have everything surrounding them just as splendid as the royals possessed. Though actually, Kalim isn't nearly as ostentatious in his tastes as his parents and grandparents were. You should see the photos."

"I'll pass for the time being." He glanced at Kira. "Sarah said that neither of you is fond of palaces. Did she see where you were living when you were working with Kalim?"

"No, because I never lived here. I spent my first night in one of those palatial rooms and then I took my backpack and sleeping bag and moved up into the hills where I could be with the herds. When Kalim wanted to see or talk to me, he'd come visit where I was working that day."

"And he let you get away with that?"

"Why shouldn't he? He respects hard work, and he wanted me to complete my research with his horses and the dogs. It was important to him. He works hard himself, and his family made sure that he grew up appreciating the beauty of the property and, most of all, the horses themselves. Everything that came onto the property had to be top quality. Even Hathor , the Egyptian name of the island, means ‘everything beautiful in life.'" She gestured to the cliffs on the north side of the island. "In time, I even became accustomed to thinking of that north shore as beautiful, too. It's exciting and dangerous and definitely fascinating. The cliff is jagged and sheer, with a drop of over three hundred feet to where the Mediterranean crashes against the rocks below. During storms, that seascape has almost hurricane force, and the waves are very rough. Kalim told me that, during the time of the pharaohs, there were frequent shipwrecks right there on the north shore. Ships from Rome, Egypt, Greece, Macedonia, and the rest of the world came through here on their way to larger cities on the mainland. That was why I went down to explore the caves in that area. And those horses Kalim owns spend well over half a year in the upper pastures, and I had to decide what trees and border plants would be best to keep them calm and avoid any accidents that would send them tumbling off that cliff and yet give them soul-freedom."

"Soul-freedom?"

"You're well known as an environmentalist. I believe you're aware that animals have souls, and freedom is important to them. It's particularly obvious when you run across a dog like Mack or a horse that's as highly developed as some of Kalim's."

He nodded. "Or perhaps also a few elephants that have wandered across my path. I'm not arguing with you about the concept—merely questioning the descriptive phrase. But perhaps I shouldn't have bothered. You were bound to come up with something unique to you. Well, how did you take care of Kalim's problem?"

"The best solution turned out to be super-intelligent dogs like Mack who could be trained to herd and yet still provide a familiar enough aura that the horses would accept them as belonging to the herd."

" Your solution?"

She nodded. "And one I'm proud to claim. They work beautifully together. It keeps them safe."

"Then Kalim owes you big time," Harlan said. "I hope he paid you well."

"It was more of a trade-off," Kira said. "Though I did insist that he show me those cave shafts and old wells that he'd promised, and I spent a good deal of time scuba diving and exploring the rocks and reefs. He even went with me a few times to show me where he and his friends had explored when they were boys. Some of the sea life around the island was very dangerous, and he wanted to make sure I'd be safe."

"I believe I'm beginning to approve of Kalim a little more than I did. Do you see him down there in that crowd?"

She nodded. "You won't have any trouble picking him out. He's the one with the gray-flecked beard and the air of authority. He's in his forties, but he's still one of the best horsemen I've ever met and tough as nails. He'd have to be able to run this island and keep his followers in line. He'll probably meet us at the airport as we land. I told you Sarah said he was very eager to meet you and check you out."

"Then let's get to it," Harlan said as he started to land. "This should be interesting. It's been a long time since I've had to struggle to get an approval from anyone." He shot her a glance. "Except you. But then you're an exception to any rule." They were on the ground now, and one of Kalim's followers was opening the cockpit doors. Harlan didn't wait for Kalim to step forward but got out of the plane and smiled at the fortyish, bearded man dressed in black-and-white clothing who was eagerly stepping toward Kira with outstretched hands. "You're Jabir Kalim, I trust? Jack Harlan. I'm delighted to meet you. As you can see, I've brought an old friend to visit you. I've been eager to see your beautiful island, and she thought you wouldn't mind if I tagged along."

Kalim's demeanor froze as he met Harlan's eyes. "I've heard of you," he said coolly. "But not from my friend Kira." He glanced at Kira. "Sarah Logan told me this man put your life in danger recently, and you were hospitalized. She approves of him. I'm not sure I do."

"Then you should," Kira said. "The doctors said I might have died if he hadn't saved me." She chuckled. "He even saved Mack, Kalim. I'm sure you approve of that. I might not have been worthwhile in your eyes, but you know how your horses love Mack."

Kalim smiled faintly. "True. They would follow him anywhere. But I also found value in you on occasion, and you should not have permitted anyone I did not know to tend to your wounds. Why didn't you phone me so that I could send someone?"

"Perhaps because I kept falling unconscious? Yes, that must be it. Harlan was there to wake me and send me to that blasted hospital." Kira added, "And you were not, old friend. So stop being bad-tempered and thank him for taking care of me so I can torment you for the foreseeable future."

"Which you will probably do." Kalim turned back to Harlan. "I suppose she's right. In this instance she should have taken advantage of any safe harbor that was available." He frowned. "But she could have chosen someone more to suit me. As soon as I talked to Sarah, I did my own investigation into your background."

"And what horrible truth did you find out about me?" Harlan asked mockingly. "Even Kira couldn't find anything that was too terrible except one single flaw that she found too shocking to accept."

Kalim turned to Kira with interest. "Yes?"

She nodded. "Though you probably won't find it all that bad. He wants to kill the man who murdered his brother."

Kalim gazed at her thoughtfully. "You're right. I find that perfectly natural behavior. You've always been a bit squeamish."

Harlan threw back his head and laughed. "Forget everything that I've said about your old friend here. I'm beginning to like him."

"Be quiet, Harlan," Kira said. "Just because you have the same cultural beliefs in some areas doesn't mean you're blood brothers. Kalim realizes that I couldn't have fought harder to keep all his horses, his livestock, and the other people in his village alive and well. We just sometimes disagreed about the methods."

"As did we," Harlan said straight-faced. He turned back to Kalim. "Did you hear anything else that you found objectionable about me? If so, speak up and I'll get back in this plane and head out to Morocco. However, Kira might find me very useful if you allow me to stay. She offered me a deal and, if you agree to her terms, we might all come out of this with everything we want."

Kalim stared at him for a long moment. "Actually, I did find out something that displeased me, but not about the way you took her to that hospital. A number of years ago, you sent me an offer for three of my horses. I refused you. Your emissary was quite determined, and he kept nagging me."

Harlan nodded. "You refused me, and I wanted those horses for my niece. I told him to do his best."

Kalim nodded. "Oh, he did, and because of who you were I had newspaper and media people trying to get here to my island and interview me. You can imagine how that annoyed me."

"Absolutely," Harlan said. "But you were the best, and you had the finest horses in the world at that time. My niece, Fiona, deserved the best. She won two Olympic medals the next year, and she didn't even have one of your horses to do it. Think what she could have done if she'd had one of your magnificent beauties to help her."

"They're still the finest horses in the world," Kalim said. "And you're probably going to try to get me to sell one to you?"

"Yes, best to best is my policy. Isn't it yours? But I'm going to try to bring Fiona to your island so that you can see why you should do it."

"Best to best," Kalim repeated. "Yes, that's always been my policy as well." He glanced at Kira. "That's why I lured you here, isn't it?" He smiled. "And you haven't been sorry, have you?"

She shook her head. "But it was kind of a mutual arrangement. I hope neither one of us will be sorry that we came together."

He was silent a moment. "You want me to listen to him?"

"I wouldn't have brought him here if I didn't. I believe it will benefit all of us. You should at least try to understand him. That's what I'm trying to do. I owe him, Kalim."

"And I owe him nothing."

"But you might in the future. He's a man whom a good many people turn to in a jam."

"Did you?"

"No, I was too stubborn. But next time I might, as long as I can find a way to pay him back." She hesitated. "And I might recommend him to you if you get in trouble. Because you're my friend, and I can trust him to watch out for you."

"That's a fine recommendation. If I needed such a thing, which I do not." Kalim shrugged. "I will listen." He strode toward the palace bordered by the lake. "But I promise nothing."

"You never do," Kira said. "But I should tell you that I've been hosting his niece, Fiona, on Summer Island. I think you'd like her… she's magnificent with horses. Absolutely magic. I was very impressed. I know she'd like you. In a way you're like her uncle Harlan here…"

"I beg your pardon?" Kalim looked faintly enraged. "I thought I'd made it clear that I don't regard that comparison as a compliment."

"Ditto," Harlan said. "Except that Kalim was clever enough to talk you into coming here, Kira, when my agent evidently failed to do his job for me. I always appreciate success in any form. I think you might—" Harlan stopped as a servant opened the front door of the palace for Kalim with a low bow and then quickly scurried away when he saw his frowning expression. Harlan smiled with amusement and then dropped down on an elaborately carved bench beside the ornate arched palace entrance. "And now I believe I'll not intrude on you any longer. I'll sit out here in your lovely garden while Kira goes in and has her discussion with you regarding our arrangement and whether you still want me to leave after she finishes. Since she appears to still be in your good graces, I take it you'll want her to go up into the hills as you've done in the past and work with your horses?" He added, "However, you'll have to put up with me accompanying her wherever she goes while she's here on your property. I'm not fond of her situation at present. I've given my word to keep her safe."

"She's perfectly safe with any of my people on Hathor and absolutely secure with me," Kalim said coldly. "She will tell you that."

Harlan shook his head. "We made a deal. She won't break it. Will you, Kira?"

She slowly shook her head. "Not as long as you keep your word." She gazed at Kalim. "But some aspects of our deal depend on whether you will honor your promise to me regarding that treasure that I found for you, Kalim."

He stiffened. "I never break my word."

"I don't believe you would, but I agreed to give half my share of the treasure to Harlan for services rendered. Will you still agree?"

He scowled. "It's a foolish deal and not at all like you. I have no desire to give this Harlan anything."

"Yet I was the one who discovered the location of the treasure, and that was the deal we made. Fifty–fifty, and we dispose of it however we want. I've already needed Harlan to help me with a portion of it while I was on Summer Island. I may need to use him again, later." She stared him in the eye. "I repeat, is our deal still in place, Kalim?"

He hesitated. "I still don't like it." He made a face. "But of course it is. I'm an honorable man."

"Good." She gestured to Harlan. "Then I'll see you shortly, Harlan. Enjoy the sunshine here in the garden while I take Kalim into the library to fill him in. Because it's only fair I tell him all the details. It shouldn't take me very long if I don't have to keep the two of you from sparring with each other."

"Or if he doesn't change his mind." Harlan gazed steadily at Kalim. "Until then, just keep her safe when I'm not available to do it myself, which will be very rare." He added softly, "Do you hear me? I do hope so, or I'll be coming after you. I want to trust you because Kira does, but I'm having a few problems." He leaned back on the bench and took out his phone. "I have to make a few calls to get information from my employees in Morocco and tell them that I might require assistance if I find you less honorable than you claim. Run along, Kira. Do your duty by your old friend, but remember, I'll always be here when you need me…"

"I could hardly forget," Kira said. "And I don't need your permission, Harlan. Though neither of you has made it easy for me, I'll continue to do exactly what I please." She gestured to Kalim to follow her. "He's right, I'm going back to the hills after I tell you what you need to know, and I hope the next time we get together it will be a good deal more harmonious. I'm taking Harlan with me because he knows horses and he can help me with the herds. He might even know them better than you, Kalim. I've seen the stables at his home outside Paris, and I was very impressed. He also knows Joseph Taylor better—I'll tell you about him as soon as we reach the library. Who knows? He might even manage to keep me alive as an added bonus. I'll see you shortly, Harlan." She slammed the front door behind her as she and Kalim headed for the library.