“If you are referring to my daughter, yes. You are to report to me only. If you are unable to do that, I see no future for either of you in this organization, because the only person who detests disloyalty more than my daughter is me.”
Nash realized that they had just been put into a classic catch-22: If they were loyal to Masuyo they would be disloyal to her daughter, and vice versa.
Masuyo seemed to sense his ambivalence. “Is there a problem, Dillon?”
“No, ma’am. I understand perfectly.”
“Now, I have been cooped up in this building long enough. I need to stretch my legs, as it were. So I will be going out on a routine basis. And where I go, you go.”
“Yes, ma’am,” said Nash. “But we need to keep in mind that—”
“That I am supposed to be in a prison in Myanmar? Yes, Dillon, I am aware of that. But I think you will agree that I look nothing like the filthy hag who once dwelled there.”
“No, you don’t. But—”
“But my daughter is well known to these people, and if they suspect for a moment that a substitution has been made they will be watching her and those around her for any sign of me?”
“Yes, ma’am, that is my concern.”
“And I say to that, I have my life to live, especially after years of it were taken away. And I intend to live it. And I intend to right some wrongs.”
“And what wrongs are those?” Nash asked.
She said dismissively, “I do not answer questions posed by a merebodyguard.”
“No, ma’am, I’m sorry. I was just curious.”
“Curiosity is not a virtue in someone like you.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I will advise you in advance of my travel plans and you will take appropriate precautions to see that I may do so safely.”
“Of course.”
She studied Nash. “You killed many people that night.”
“I did what needed to be done.”
“The guard you left alive?”
“He posed no threat, and he was part of the effort to free you.”
“He did so only because of money. I would have preferred that you killed him. He did not treat me well.”
“I’m sorry. But if we had killed him the plan wouldn’t have worked. However, if I had known—”
She cut in, “Next time I will make sure that youknow, Dillon. And then you will take the action I order you to take.”
Nash glanced at Thura, who sat there frozen.
“Yes, ma’am,” said Nash again.
“You both may go. I am done with you, for now.”
As they rose to leave Masuyo added, “Oh, Dillon, I do have a question for you.”
“Yes?”
