Over dinner that evening and not surprisingly, Sondra laughed as he told her about what Kairo had said. It was not her usual, carefree laugh accompanied with a toss of her thick, curly hair. It was forced and seemed to take a toll on her. 

Andrew looked at her. He was careful to hide his concern at her drastic weight loss, her haggard face that exaggerated her high cheekbones, the shadows under her beautiful slanted eyes. He knew that if he looked too long, she'd become self-conscious and hide her face from his gaze. Maybe even go to bed and leave behind her unfinished plate of sardine and biscuits.

"You remember when he tried to give me that wooden owl? That charm necklace?" She laughed and rubbed her arms. "Said it was for my protection. He's so superstitious. He means well, but I could never accept that."

"You're the only woman in camp." Andrew teased. "Maybe he was trying to buy your love. Bribe you with trinkets."

"Stop it!" She laughed, pushing him in the shoulder. Then she got serious.

"He's right about one thing though. Three of the men are in serious condition. Clyde, Bruce and Shiv. I checked them this afternoon. I don't know if they'll make it through the week, much less two… we need to break camp early."

"Boarensky would never do that." Andrew was bitter. "At the rate we're going, the gold we're washing down, all he can see is a big fat bonus. Maybe even a promotion."

"Boarensky is one man!" She reached across the table and grabbed his hands. "There are at least 11 of us and one of him. We can storm his tent, if he resists we tie him up! Kill him if we have to. But we must do something to summon help!"

Andrew looked away. Sondra had always been first to act, first to react. If she was a soldier, she would plunge headlong into a battle. Andrew would be more likely to stand on the sidelines and judge the best place to plunge into.

"You're not thinking straight. He's one man who's always armed. He keeps everything locked away in safes and the keys around his neck. I'm sure he sleeps with his gun under his pillow. Plus I hear he's former Russian special forces… what do you call them? Spetsnaz."

Sondra abruptly pulled away her hands and got up, picking up their plates. She transferred the leftovers to a container and then went outside. Andrew listened to her as she washed the plate at the pipe stand. When she returned, her face was inscrutable.

"I don't feel so good. Gonna catch some sleep." She said, before climbing into their bed and drawing up the sheet. They had only been married for three years, but as Andrew looked at his wife's back he knew she was upset. He sighed. 

"Damned if I do, damned if I don't." He grumbled.