“He will be a plus,” Cameron said crisply. “And I’ll see that you can count on him. Now tell me what else you need to come out of this fiasco alive.”

“We’ve got to make sure it’s not a fiasco,” Catherine said. “Because if Santos suspects that he’s not in control, he’ll order a mass execution even if it’s a suicide mission. He can’t stand the thought that I might beat him.” She was nibbling at her lower lip. “And the only opportunity we’ll have is if Santos thinks he’s been able to force me to do what he wants me to do.”

“You mean if someone dies,” he said baldly.

“Oh, God, no.” She drew a shaky breath. “Look, I’ve got to think about this. Right now, let’s go rent a boat and locate that group of islands Luke and Kelly zeroed in on.”

“You’ll get no argument from me,” Cameron said. “I like the idea of an attack by sea much better than having you deliver yourself to that butcher’s block.” He reached for his cell phone. “A small motorboat, scuba equipment … I’ll supply a few sophisticated pieces of electronic equipment myself.”

“I almost forgot that your committee always keeps you supplied with the latest gadgets,” she said dryly. “Shades of 007.”

“His stuff’s not nearly as high-tech as what our young scientists are bringing out these days.” He smiled. “Microscopic but very effective.” He gestured for her to precede him. “Doesn’t that make you feel safe?”

“If your gadget can blow Santos to kingdom come before he can give the word to kill anyone else.”

“Possible but not foolproof unless the explosion is set off within twenty feet of the bastard. I may have to smuggle a rifle onto the island and pick him off.”

“Providing we find the island before Santos’s men find us.”

“Oh ye of little faith…”

*   *   *

“What are you looking at?” Catherine asked, her eyes narrowed on Cameron’s face. He’d been very quiet for the last ten minutes as they’d cut the motor and rowed silently among the dense, green islands. Twice he’d lifted the binoculars to his eyes. This last time he’d taken a long time before he had lowered them.

“Success,” Cameron murmured. “And it’s very sweet.” He pointed to a verdant jungle of palms and brush on a small, hilly island. “Too much brush and trees for a helicopter landing pad but that would also keep any houses or compounds from being seen from the air.” He paused. “Or any tombs that happened to be in the area.”

“We’ve only been coasting along these islands for the last fifteen minutes. We can’t be that lucky. That’s not the only island with that much shrubbery.”

“But it’s the right one.”

“Why?”

“Because Montez is there.”

She went still. “What? How do you know? Are you guessing? Are you managing to hone in on his mind or something?”

“I suppose I might try, but this seemed much easier.”

“What seemed easier? What the hell are you up to?”

“Nothing.” He smiled. “Montez is the one who’s doing it all. I’m just receiving.” He nodded down at the waterproof pocket of his scuba jacket. “And I’ve been receiving for the last five minutes.”

“What’s happening, Cameron,” she said through her teeth. “Or so help me, I’ll hit you with this oar.”

“So violent…” He raised the binoculars to his eyes again. “I planted a microchip GPS in Montez’s neck when I was examining him after you gave him that karate chop in the rain forest. It’s fairly powerful, and I knew I’d be able to detect his location from at least thirty miles.”

Her eyes widened in shock. “You bastard. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I was feeling a little irritated about not being in control. I wasn’t entirely in agreement with your attitude with Montez, so I decided I’d do a little advance prep in case I decided to break free and go off on my own.” He lowered the binoculars again. “I almost did that a couple times, but I managed to be more patient than I thought I would.”

“Patient? I never asked for your patience. I’ve just been trying to survive and keep people alive.”

“I know that.” He tossed the binoculars aside. “And I left that part of it to you. I’ve been guarding and biding my time.” His eyes were glacier blue as they met her own. “But that’s all over. I know where you’re going with this, and I’m not trailing behind in your footsteps. We’re together; you’ll listen to me. If we argue, then I may go my own way, and you’ll have to adjust.”

“And if I don’t?”

“You will because I’m damn good, and you know it.” He slipped out of the boat and into the water. “Now stay here while I do a little reconnoitering on that island.”

“Orders?”

“You won’t argue about this one. If Santos caught you before you were ready to spring a trap, it would mean that he’d have Luke and the rest at his mercy.”

He was right, she thought reluctantly. “And what about you?”

“He doesn’t regard me as important in his plans.” He pushed away from the boat. “I’d deal with it. I’ll be back in forty-five minutes. If I’m not, go back to Port of Spain. I’ll join you there.”

“How will you—”

But he’d dove below the crystal aquamarine waters, and, minutes later, he was lost to view.

*   *   *

Thirty-five minutes.

No shots.

No sight of anyone on that strip of pristine beach.

But that didn’t mean that Cameron hadn’t been captured.

Anything could have happened to him on that island.

But it wasn’t as if he were an amateur.

He’s probably the most dangerous man either of us has ever seen, Hu Chang had said.

But he wasn’t immortal, either.

Get back here, damn you.

Forty minutes.

What if there were video cameras on those trees?

It was possible.

Forty-two minutes.

Be safe, Cameron.

Come back to me.

How can I resist a touching invitation like that?

Relief surged through her.

You cut it close.

Because I wanted to savor all that heartfelt feeling you’re broadcasting.

You’ve savored it. Now get out of my mind.

Just another minute. I’m enjoying it.

Out.

Laughter.

And the next moment, he surfaced beside the boat.

Blue eyes shining with mischief and recklessness.

And life.

Oh God, life.

He hefted himself on board and settled on the seat across from her. “You’re being very revealing. I don’t even have to try to read you.” He reached for a towel and wiped drops of water from his face. “I … like it.”

“Well, I don’t.” She picked up her oar. “Let’s get out of here.”

“Right.” He started rowing until it was safe to start the motor. “Though there’s not much chance of being seen from this side of the island. All the action is in the hills to the north.”

“What action?”

“A small palazzo structure tucked under all those palms. There’s a bunkhouse that would support maybe eight or ten men.” He paused. “And a granite tomb farther up on the hill. Still protected from view from the air.”

“Like a cocoon ready to come alive.”

“Neither Santos nor Delores are butterflies. But Santos is definitely there. I didn’t see him, but he’s there.”

“Montez?”

“He’s being kept in the bunkhouse, under guard.” He shot her a glance. “But I was able to inject a few words of wisdom to guide him in his dealings with Santos. I believe he’ll go along with them.”

“What words of wisdom?”

“Cooperation so that he’d have a certain amount of freedom. He already thought that you’d be coming for Santos, and I only told him to be ready.”

“And he probably thought he was going crazy.”

“No, but he might have believed he was hearing heavenly voices. Since I emphasized destruction of his archdemon, Santos, it was likely.”

“All of that in forty-five minutes?”

“I’m very efficient. And I didn’t want to be left behind,” he added slyly. “You can be very ruthless. I knew you’d hold me to my word and not give me one extra minute.”