“Worry about Kadmus,” Erin said gently. “Don’t worry about Cameron. He’ll help us, Catherine.”
“I have to worry about him. He’s a wild card.” She made a face. “That’s an understatement. But I’ll try to accept him the way you see him.” She thought about it. “No, that’s not going to work. I’ll just play it by ear.”
“You do that.” Erin settled back down in the sleeping bag. “It will be all right.”
“I don’t suppose you’ll tell me about that first encounter you had with Cameron?”
“No, that would be breaking my word. Any information has to come from him.”
“I suspected that was going to be the way of it. And I’m not too sure that he can help as much as you seem to think. Since he managed to supply us with this home away from home, I asked him if he could find a way to get us off this mountain. He said that he’d have to consult someone or other. That didn’t give me a high degree of confidence.”
“He’ll do it.” She yawned. “I’m going back to sleep. I feel much better now that I know I don’t have to keep clamming up when you’re questioning me about Cameron. I hated closing you out.”
“But you did it. You’re still doing it.”
“Because I promised him,” she said drowsily. “But he took care of that, and now the two of you can work everything out…”
The next moment, Erin was back asleep.
She was glad Erin was so confident, Catherine thought ruefully. She wasn’t at all sure that she could work with that arrogant son of a bitch.
Too much power.
Too much charisma.
And far too much sexuality.
Erin may not have been influenced by that potent combination, but Catherine had been. He had been everything gentle with Erin, but she could not see him being that way with her.
Of course, she would work with him. She could overcome personal barriers. She just had to understand more about her antagonist. The only information she had received from her conversation with Erin was just a confirmation of what Cameron had told her. She needed answers to other questions.
The details of the encounter between Erin and Cameron would tell her a hell of a lot. Everything seemed to have stemmed from that meeting. Where had it taken place? Probably somewhere in these mountains since Erin seemed to work almost exclusively in the provinces of Tibet.
And what had happened then that caused Kadmus to have zeroed in on Erin?
Okay, concentrate on those two questions and forget everything else.
Except Richard Cameron. If she couldn’t solve his connection with Erin, she could search for answers about him. Should she call Langley and tell them to dig as soon as this present emergency was over?
No, Erin would regard that as a betrayal when she had suffered tremendously to keep his identity secret.
Catherine could just drop the subject of Cameron once she had Erin safe.
That wasn’t an option either. Kadmus wasn’t going to stop until he found Cameron, and he’d continue to search for Erin to use as the key. So that meant she’d have to deal with Cameron until Kadmus was dead.
Langley was out, but there was another possibility.
Hu Chang.
He considered Cameron a friend, and Hu Chang did not accept friends lightly. He would know everything, or as close as an outsider could come to everything, about who and what Cameron really was.
Hu Chang. She had been trying to keep herself so occupied that she wouldn’t think about him. As Cameron had said, if she had been able to extract Erin immediately, then there would have been no problem. But there was no way that Hu Chang would not come after her if she wasn’t able to get out of here within a short time.
Stay away, Hu Chang. I’m working on it. Just take care of Luke and give me a little more time.
* * *
“We are landing, sir.” The helicopter pilot, Tashdon, called back to Hu Chang. “We should be down in just a few minutes. And I can see Cameron coming across the plateau.”
“Indeed?” Hu Chang rose and came forward to the cockpit. “Where?” Then he saw Cameron striding toward the place where the helicopter would set down. The snow was swirling around his black-garbed body, but he moved through it with swift, athletic grace. There was a boundless energy, a burning vitality, to every step. He was everything Hu Chang remembered. It was good to know. He would need Cameron to be exceptional to get Catherine out of this quandary. “Our friend, Cameron, appears to be in good form, Tashdon.”
Tashdon gazed at him in surprise. “But he’s always that way. Cameron never changes.”
“How long have you worked with him?”
“Five years.”
“And you’ve enjoyed it?” he asked curiously.
“Not always. But it’s been my privilege.” He added, “You’d better sit down, sir.”
Hu Chang sat down and buckled the seat belt. Tashdon’s reply had been in the same tenor as Hu Chang had run across in other members in Cameron’s circle. Devotion. Respect. Fear? Yes, he was sure that there were elements of fear. And that respect was almost fanatical.
He observed that truth again a few minutes later after he had left the helicopter and was walking toward Cameron across the hard-packed snow. Tashdon had scurried ahead and was hovering in front of Cameron protectively. “I’ve delivered them as ordered,” Tashdon said. “Is there anything else, Cameron?”
“No, you’ve done very well. I don’t need you any longer.”
Tashdon smiled with relief. “I’m glad you’re pleased.”
Hu Chang said, “Go back to the helicopter and bring the boy to meet Cameron.”
Tashdon looked at Cameron.
“Go ahead,” Cameron smiled. “I’m not going to make you take him back to Hong Kong, Tashdon.” He turned to Hu Chang. “Did you think I would?”
“No, I wouldn’t permit it. But I thought two friends should have the opportunity to meet alone before there were intrusions. You knew about Luke?”
“Yes, though not from you warning me.”
“I thought there was a good chance you might break your word to me and take a peek. It seems I was correct.”
“I told you I would honor your privacy whenever possible. It was not possible. I had to make sure that you weren’t going to be doing anything that would interfere with my getting Erin out of here.”
“That is why I am on this deplorably uncomfortable mountain.”
“No, your objective has changed. You’re only thinking about Catherine Ling.”
Hu Chang nodded slowly. “You have a right to be concerned. My prime objective is not yours. But if I do not have to sacrifice Erin Sullivan for Catherine, then I will be happy to expand my goal.”
Cameron’s gaze shifted back to the helicopter. “I believe we’ll be able to do that. In fact, I don’t think that Catherine will let anyone take Erin from beneath her protective wing until she’s safe.”
Hu Chang said quietly, “You could take her away from Catherine.”
“I’m not sure that I could.”
“Really?” Hu Chang’s eyes narrowed. Cameron was not inclined to underestimate himself, and they were both aware of his capabilities. “It’s true that she’s extraordinary, but I wasn’t aware that you’d discovered that.”
Cameron glanced back at him. “But I find I don’t want to be forced to take Erin away from her. I might have to kill her, and that would upset my friend, Hu Chang.”
“Yes, I would be so upset that I would seek and find a way to kill my friend, Cameron.”
Cameron chuckled. “I do like you, Hu Chang. No one intimidates you, thank God.”
“And you’re bored to extinction with people who allow you to intimidate them.”
He grimaced. “Not extinction. That’s one of the prime things that I’m not permitted.”
“But bored nevertheless.” He watched as Tashdon opened the helicopter door and gestured for Luke to jump out. “Your fine, competent pilot is an excellent example. He seemed quite normal until he got near you. He was almost subservient, eagerly subservient, but subservient nonetheless. Have you been indulging in a little brainwashing?”
“God, no,” Cameron said violently.
“Then I have to admire your ability to handle him. He’d obviously do anything for you. When he was hovering so protectively over you just now, was he asking if I was a possible threat?”
“You caught that? Tashdon always regards it as his duty to make sure that he doesn’t deliver anyone who might be dangerous to me.” He shook his head. “Even though I ordered him to bring you.” His lips twisted bitterly. “Haven’t you heard? Nothing must happen to me.”
“Yes, I’ve heard,” Hu Chang said. “And I tend to agree. Of course, with the exception that will exist if I decide that you’re interfering with my retrieving Catherine.”
Cameron laughed and slapped him on the back. “Exception noted. Now tell me why you brought the boy.”
“He belongs to Catherine and, though extraordinary, he needs schooling in many areas. I thought this would be an excellent training ground.” He paused. “And why did you not try to stop me?”
“I was curious. I wanted to see her son.” His smile widened. “And I wanted to see her tear into you when she discovered you brought him. It will be interesting to see how you handle it.”
“Indeed it will,” he murmured. He gestured to Luke, who was now only a few yards away. “Luke, I would like to present my friend, Richard Cameron. He has just told me how amused he is going to be to see your mother’s reaction to my bringing you along.”
“That’s not kind,” Luke said. “I think everyone knows she’s going to be very angry.” He took the last few steps to stand before Cameron. “Hu Chang says that I should be polite to you. I can’t do that if you’re going to wish bad things to happen to him.”
“I was joking.” Cameron’s gaze was raking Luke’s face, his expression intent. “Though it will be something to see.”
Luke was silent. “I have trouble with jokes. Sometimes I can’t tell…” He looked at Hu Chang. “Hu Chang will tell you.”
“I don’t believe I’ll have to tell Cameron,” Hu Chang said. “I think he’s already understanding more about you than I want him to know. Back off, Cameron.”
“I’m out,” Cameron said. “It was the quickest way. Though it appears you’re the one who has done a little manipulating. You must think a good deal of him.” He smiled at Luke. “Politeness isn’t necessary between us. I have great respect and admiration for Hu Chang, and I’m looking forward to getting to know you. I think you’re going to be a great help.”
Luke looked at him for a long minute. “You’re not lying to me?”
Cameron shook his head. “Though you’ll never be certain until I prove myself to you, so I won’t try to persuade you.” He turned to Tashdon. “Get going. No electronic communication until you’re completely out of the area. Go back to Hong Kong and refuel and stand by for further orders.”
“Yes, Cameron. I’ll be ready.” Tashdon turned and strode swiftly back toward the helicopter.
“He acts as if you’re his boss,” Luke said as he gazed after the pilot. “Are you?”
“Not exactly. He works for hire, but he wants to please me. I can count on him to obey orders.” He met Luke’s eyes. “Can I count on you?”
Luke was silent. “Yes, if you don’t do anything that Hu Chang doesn’t like.”
“That’s not good enough.” He looked at Hu Chang. “We’ve already discussed possible differences of opinion and agreed there’s no problem. But I can’t take you with me unless you agree to belong to me even if it’s only for a short time. Will you do that?”
“Belong to you?” Luke frowned. “I don’t like the—”
“Agree, Luke,” Hu Chang said. “We need him, and it’s only until we get Catherine back.” He gazed at Cameron. “If it makes you feel better, Cameron told me the same thing several years ago, and I conceded my independence until I had what I wanted. It was not a totally unpleasant experience.”
“Not for me either,” Cameron said. “Luke?”
Luke slowly nodded. “Okay.”
“Good.” He turned away. “Now grab your gear and come along. We have a long hike up the mountain.”
“And where are we going?” Hu Chang asked.
“I have quarters I use occasionally on this side of the mountain where we can be comfortable until we’re ready to move. But we can’t do that yet. I have some research to do.” He smiled over his shoulder. “Catherine told me that I should find her a way to get off Daksha Mountain, and I have to obey.”
Hu Chang stiffened. “You’ve been in touch with her? I thought you were dealing through Erin Sullivan?”
“How could I resist? Catherine is a warrior. I feel a kinship for her. Erin is strong, but she endures and hesitates to attack. It’s her basic character, and I’ve had to make allowances all through these months.” He paused. “But now I have Catherine. Her basic instinct is to make a judgment, then attack. It will be much easier.”
“You have Catherine?” Luke repeated, puzzled. “Does that mean she said she’d belong to you, like you asked me to do?”
“No, not yet.” Cameron laughed. “I have that pleasure to look forward to.”
“I would not count on it,” Hu Chang said dryly.
“But I do count on it. I would not have thought you would agree, my friend. But in the past, you found I could supply you with something you wanted, and you chose to run the risk.” He started up the trail. “I just have to find the correct bargaining chip…”
It was two hours later that Hu Chang caught up with Cameron on the curve of the mountain trail. “How much longer?” he asked. “The boy is struggling.”
“I know,” Cameron said. “He’s very strong. But the altitude is a killer if you’re not accustomed to it.”
“And you haven’t stopped to let him rest.”
“Has he complained?”
“No.”
“Good. I didn’t think he would.”
“You could help him,” Hu Chang said. “You could ease it.”
“But I won’t.” Cameron turned and strode forward around the curve.
It was nearly an hour later that he stopped in front of a sod hut balanced on the edge of a cliff overlooking the valley. He stood waiting, watching as Hu Chang came up the trail. “The boy?”
“Five minutes behind me.”
“But you didn’t wait for him.”
“No, I knew what you were doing. It was a test, and I wouldn’t cheat Luke of his victory.”
“A test you would not have given him?”
“Perhaps, perhaps not. But Luke agreed, and I knew you were no easy taskmaster.”
“Any resentment?”