“Tell him, Storm, or I will,” Tanin threatened.
“I gave you an order to keep what we discussed to yourself,” Storm said.
“Not this time,” Tanin said, shaking his head. “Not what you proposed. It’s damned foolish and can mean death.”
Burke turned an anxious glance on Storm. “What’s Tanin talking about?”
“I told you, it’s an idea that needs further investigation and preparation.”
“It needs no consideration. It needs ignoring, forgetting, burying,” Tanin insisted.
“Storm,” Burke said firmly. “Tell me now.”
Storm thought to ignore them both. She was the leader and her word was law, though it seemed Tanin had chosen to ignore her order. She couldn’t, however, carry out her plan if she didn’t have the support and determination of her men. It would take a concentrated effort from all of them to succeed.
“Keep in mind that it is a fermenting thought that needs further consideration,” she advised before continuing. “The one reason it is so hard to rescue anyone from Weighton is because no one knows the inner workings of the place. Every prison rescue we’re made was successful largely due to the knowledge we obtained about the prison itself.”
Burke nodded. “When you rescued me I remember that you knew of the cells at the end of the corridor.”
Storm nodded. “We learned of that from people who had been held prisoner there and had been released. Then there were the greedy guards who were willing to exchange information for coins.”
“So we find ourselves some greedy guards,” Burke said.
Tanin shook his head. “The man who tried now rots in Weighton. No guard there would dare take such a chance. He’s only too aware of his fate, and no amount of coins would be worth the chance of being condemned to Weighton.”
“The only other way is for someone to enter Weighton as a prisoner, learn what they could for a few days, and be prepared when the others make the rescue attempt,” Storm said.
“That’s not a bad idea,” Burke said. “The fellow could learn the workings of the place and possibly even locate Cullen’s cell. He can even see if there’s a good escape route.”
Tanin rubbed the back of his neck. “Yes, thisfellowcould do all that in between being tortured, beaten, and starved.”
“It’s a gamble, and the fellow would need to volunteer. I could do it. I wouldn’t expect someone to place his life on the line for my brother.”
“Wouldn’t work,” Tanin said. “Weighton is for special prisoners, mainly ones who have committed crimes against king and country. You’re a foreigner, and it would take time to make a case against you, and until then you would be held in another prison.”
Burke shrugged. “Then there is no one—”
Tanin nodded. “Now you understand.”
Storm kept her chin high and her stance firm while Burke rushed at her.
“You will not—will not—be a pawn to save my brother.”
Chapter 31
Burke turned to Tanin. “Leave us, and rest assured this plan will never see fruition.”
“I’m relieved to hear that,” Tanin said and walked away.
Burke had to calm himself or else he would grab Storm and shake the foolishness out of her. The idea that she would surrender herself to free his brother, while heroic, was simply foolhardy.
He turned with a shake of his head to face her. “You didn’t really believe that I would let you do this, did you?”
“Letme? Since when did you become the leader of this group?”
“Since the leader lost her mind.” He spit out a frustrated sigh. “It’s inconceivable to me that you would think I would allow you to purposely place your life in danger.”
Storm tapped her chin. “Let me think. You presently made a decision that I think is foolish but I do not stop you. I, however, devise a plan that could very well work and what do you do?”
