Raven's Prey

know pilots slip back and forth over the border all the time without bothering with the formalities.”
    “Mostly when they’re transporting something like cocaine,” Judd agreed dryly.
    “Which we aren’t involved with at all!” There was a comradely laugh from the other end of the line. “I really do think this would be the easiest way to avoid a major scene at customs, don’t you? I’ll be quite happy to double your fee for the extra trouble.”
    “Where do you suggest we meet?” Judd asked quietly. It was his own fault, of course. He’d never given Knight/Garrison any reason to think he wouldn’t do just about anything for the money. Still, after listening to Honor call him a mercenary for the past few days, Judd decided he was getting tired of other people assuming he could be bought. A man had to make a living, didn’t he? Why the hell was he beginning to think he owed Honor an apology for the way he survived in this world?
    “There’s a small town just above Douglas, near the Arizona-New Mexico border…” The satisfaction in Garrison’s cultured voice was blatant.
    Judd listened attentively while he as given the name of the town, and then he slowly hung up the phone. The charges had been reversed but the call was going to cost Leo Garrison a lot more than money. When he turned around Judd found Honor standing a few feet away, her face strained. The green and gold of her eyes had never been more vivid as she awaited the verdict
    For an instant he just looked at her, knowing an incredible sense of relief. Then he stepped forward and gripped her shoulders. “It’s okay, honey. Everything’s okay. Knight or Garrison, or whatever his name is, just put his foot in it as far as I’m concerned. Don’t worry. You’re not going back to him.”
    Beneath his hands she seemed to crumple a little in her relief. He could feel the tension draining slowly from her slender frame. “Please,” she murmured, “I’d like to sit down.”
    He led her anxiously over to one of the old wooden chairs that lined the ramshackle office and carefully eased her down. A new worry assailed him. “Are you all right, Honor? You’re not getting sick, are you? You’ve been down here for quite a while and God knows the food and water aren’t all that reliable.”
    “I’m fine.” She sagged back in the chair, leaning her head against the wall. Her eyes were closed. “What did he say that convinced you he wasn’t my father?”
    Judd crouched down in front of her, taking one of her cold hands in his and chafing it lightly. What the devil was the matter with her? He’d told her all along he would take care of her. Was she actually faint with relief now that it was all over? Didn’t she understand she’d had nothing to worry about?
    “He tried to bribe me to take you in over the border without stopping at customs. As far as I’m concerned a worried father wouldn’t have wanted to have his daughter exposed to that kind of risk. He would have met us at the border with his proof of identity and the doctor he seems to think you need so badly.” Judd lifted one shoulder. “Maybe I’m just getting tired of being thought of as a complete mercenary. He didn’t even bother trying to tell me he’d provide proof of his identity when we met at the rendezvous. He just assumed that for the right money I wouldn’t ask too many questions.”
    She smiled bleakly~~ “So you decided to trust me because he insulted you? Do I owe my life to the fact that you don’t like being called a mercenary?”
    He frowned. “No, it’s just the logic of the situation. I’ve been trying to figure this mess out from the beginning. Your story was wild, Honor, you’ve got to admit.But Garrison’s asking me to bring you in illegally over the border sure as hell doesn’t sit right, either. Under the circumstances I’m not about to turn you over to the man.”
    “I see,” she said quietly. “Thank you.”
    He blinked owlishly, not liking the cold formality of her voice. Well, she had been under a lot of strain lately. Judd got to his feet “Come on, honey, let’s get back in the air. We’ve got some flying to do.”
    “Where are we going now?” she asked, but she was getting obediently to her feet.
    “Where you should have gone as soon as you realized you were in trouble: to the authorities. There’s a man I know in Tucson. We’re going to look him up and tell him your story. He can sort the rest of this out. He’s good at