Page 131 of The Lazarus Protocol

“I’ll take point.” Vesper strode out in front of them and led the way for what felt much farther than the four miles it was. Up almost to the ridge of the volcano, and back down the westward side where the roofs of the buildings were visible, and where she swung around to face them.

Adam’s finger flexed toward the trigger on his M4. Yep, still don’t trust her.

“This is where I take my leave.” Vesper gave them a slight bow.

“I don’t think so.” Kyle shook his head. “We stay together.”

“So you can keep an eye on me? Because I know it’s not for my safety.” Vesper paused. “Unless you really are worried I’ll get eaten by a wild animal.” She chuckled. “Don’t worry about me, Pookie. I can take care of myself.”

Kyle scoffed. “It’s not you I’m worried about, it’s everyone else.”

“A deal’s a deal.” She looked at Adam. “Or will you renege?”

“I only care about my team.” At least for right now. Later, Adam reserved the right to change his mind and go after Vesper—or stop whatever she planned to do. “Watch your back.”

Steph waited a beat, then turned to go with him. Kyle brought up the rear.

When they were out of earshot, Kyle said, “You really think it was wise to let her out of our sight?”

“We made a deal with her.” Plus, Adam had priorities.

“He’s right,” Steph said. “If we interfere, and then we need help to get the team out, her people aren’t going to pitch in.”

“What time are they set to create the diversion?” Kyle asked.

Adam checked his watch, the screen illuminating a dim green color. “Six minutes.”

“She’s gonna destroy this island, isn’t she?” Kyle huffed with every footstep, trudging along behind them.

“Probably,” Steph said. “It has an unusually high deposit of rare earth minerals. I’m guessing the people Starwise—or Earthnet—has mining for them, they’re not on the company health plan. And they probably don’t get vacation time.”

“You think they’re using slave labor?” Adam pushed back a branch and made sure it didn’t hit Steph.

“I think there’s a reason Earthwise brought your people here to hide them—and use them.”

Adam wanted to spout some bravado about how the company wouldn’t find it so easy to get rid of his team, but didn’t get the chance. “Drone.”

It flew in fast, coming from the left. Sweeping between trees.

The thing slowed too far away for Adam to pick it off. “It’s watching us.”

“You shot the first one pretty decisively,” Kyle said.

“If we keep shooting them, it’ll only be to make a point,” Steph said. “It won’t stop them from intelligence gathering.”

“Question is, what will they do now they know where we are?” Adam glanced at the others. “Let’s get to the structures. We might find a place we can evade the drone and drop off their radar.”

Kyle said, “Time for a good distraction, methinks.”

Steph snorted. “Methinks?”

“What? I’m vintage.” Kyle sounded amused.

“Yeah, you know who else is vintage?” Adam hadn’t missed the way Vesper said she was going to “take her leave.”

“Not on the table for discussion. Besides, I thought we were supposed to keep quiet whilst sneaking onto the dangerous island where our friends are being held.”

Adam grinned, picking up the pace as they descended the side of the mountain. The one that was technically a volcano, though thankfully it was dormant. Hmm. Vesper had gone in the direction of the crater, probably to that small observation station they’d spotted on the satellite images.