Page 107 of Escape Velocity

“Maybe that’s how he started out,” Max answered. “We’d better go back to your camp and find him. If he’s not there when we get back, you’ll know it’s true.”

“Oui.”

“You go on. I’ll stay with the work crew,” Rafe said.

Max and the head man started to leave. Amber caught up with them and grabbed Max’s arm. “I’m going with you to confront him.”

“Women do not . . .” the head man began.

Max cut him off. “She saved our butts—and changed everything for you. If she hadn’t slit Tudor’s throat, we’d be dead, and the spy in your midst would still be happily finking you out. She’s earned the right to be in on this.”

“Oui. I understand.” He turned to Amber. “But we must hurry. Can you keep up?”

“Yes,” she answered. She was going to stay with the men if she used her last breath getting back to the camp.

They had come to the house in an airship. It took a lot longer to walk at a fast pace through the jungle. She followed the men, listening to them making plans as they wove through the vegetation.

When they arrived in the council clearing, Amber saw that the area had been cleaned so that there was no sign of the attack and the slayings. She wondered how many men had died, but she didn’t waste her breath asking.

Two men snapped to attention when they saw Gatroux. He crossed to them.

“It is urgent that we speak to LaTour.”

The two swamp rats exchanged glances. One of them shrugged. “I heard him say he would take perimeter guard duty.”

“Merde,” the head man muttered, then turned to Max. “You were right, I think he’s trying to get away.”

To the guardsmen he said, “We must find him. He was spying for Tudor.”

They looked doubtful.

Amber heard a gasp from the edge of the clearing and saw several women who were keeping their distance but listening avidly.

Max jumped into the conversation. “Tudor bragged about it—when he thought we were two dead men and a dead woman.”

“How do we know you are telling the truth,” one of the men on guard duty asked Max. “You have reason to . . . get him in trouble.”

She could see Max trying to stay calm. Gatroux had believed them, but it seemed the other men didn’t trust such a wild tale about one of their own people.

Max made a frustrated sound as the other man spoke up.

“He wouldn’t. You remember, his little sister went missing a couple of years ago. He was sure Tudor was responsible.”

It was obvious these guys would not be easily convinced.

Amber saw Max swallowing his frustration as he said, “Yeah, well you know he’s a man of action. I’m thinking that after his sister disappeared, he went after Tudor. Only Tudor caught him—and said he’d let LaTour live if he kept him informed about the situation here.”

The man didn’t look convinced. And the longer they stood here arguing, the more chance that the traitor would get away.

“Where is his hut?” Gatroux demanded.

“I’m not sure . . .”

A woman stepped forward. It was Paulette, one of the group who had joined Camille to get Amber ready.

She gave the guardsmen a steady look. “I can take you.”

Amber gave her a grateful nod as she stepped up beside her.

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