our family. Tradition is important, don’t you think?’
Stratton could agree with that. There was none in his family but he had learned the meaning of the word - the concept - while serving in the British military.
‘Tell me,’ Sebastian said. ‘Why have you chosen to stay here when your life is in danger?’
‘Because I was asked politely.’
Sebastian allowed himself a rare chuckle. ‘And the real reason?’
Stratton had to think about it for a moment. ‘To be honest, I don’t really know.’
‘Then examine what did not drive you away. Fear could not, because you’re unafraid. Self-interest was not enough. You came with Victor and his men to finish the job - so you are altruistic. You saved a stranger’s life, which makes you empathetic. Forgive the examination. I am interested in the instincts of animals but even more so in those of men. In times of confusion instincts are all we have to rely on . . . Have you seen much of the camp?’
‘Victor showed me some of it.’
‘You need to see it all. Louisa!’ Sebastian called out.
His daughter stepped out of a stall. Her expression went blank when she saw Stratton. ‘Yes, father?’ she said as she walked over to them.
‘Would you show our guest around? Give him a horse.’
Louisa did not look overjoyed at the prospect. If Sebastian noticed her lack of enthusiasm, he gave no sign and faced Stratton, looking him in the eye. ‘I’m glad you’re here,’ he said with true sincerity.
Stratton watched him head down the path towards the log cabins. The man was without doubt a member of a rare breed. Some people were born with an exceptional aura and Sebastian was one of them. He had begun and was now holding together a national rebellion by sheer force of will.
Louisa was looking at Stratton as if she’d won a booby prize.
‘I take it you don’t fancy being a tour guide today,’ he said.
‘You’re very intuitive.’
‘I’ve had enough compliments for one day, thanks.’
She gave him an insincere smile.
‘Maybe some other time,’ he said, turning away.
Louisa would have been happy to let him go but she was mindful of her father’s request. ‘Wait.’
Stratton did not respond.
‘Can I say something?’ she asked.
He slowed to a halt and looked around at her tiredly.
‘You’re my father’s guest. If he wants you to be shown around I will oblige him.’
‘Hey. Don’t put yourself out on my account.’ He continued down the slope.
‘Look . . .’ Louisa began. But Stratton was marching off at a stubborn pace. She gritted her teeth, turned away from him and stormed back to the stables.
Stratton worked on suppressing his annoyance. He could usually tolerate disrespect, choosing the diplomatic thick-skinned option that would prevent conflict and let him get on with the job. But every now and then bad manners and insults got to him. Louisa had managed to needle him more easily than another person might have and the reason for that was obvious enough. His ego had been chipped. She was beautiful and he wanted to be attractive to her but she saw him only as a lowlife.
Stratton decided that the best course of action was to avoid the woman altogether. She was only going to wind him up whenever they met. Staying out of her way for the next few hours should not be difficult.
He tried to focus his thoughts on the upcoming weapons training but Louisa had well and truly got under his skin. There was something about her that he could not shake. Stratton had avoided meaningful relationships with the opposite sex for years. It had been a rule of his, and her attitude should have made it easy to sustain. Having a love interest in his line of work was pointless. In his early days in the SBS he had had a girlfriend and there had been some great times but the difficulties and eventual heartbreak had not been worth it. The strains of maintaining a relationship when both parties were often apart for long periods only really became clear after he’d tried it. Sure, he was looking forward to getting home - but only because he didn’t want to be here. If he was offered another job by the time he got to Panama he would take it. And he wouldn’t have to make a difficult phone call to explain, in effect asking for permission not to come home until God only knew when. His pride might have taken a knock but he had to get on with