"Mary," he said patiently as if she hadn't understood what he was saying the first time.

"Anna Leigh is in Washington with her father."

"So? We should go to Washington." It sounded very simple when she said it like that. Ryder felt it was incumbent upon him to point out the obstacles in their path.

"This cavern is safe," he said.

"We can't stay here forever. You said that yourself."

"I was thinking we'd move somewhere in these hills, not Chesapeake Bay."

"That's when you were still thinking you could find the gold." She leaned over the wing chair and pulled out the maps that were stored beneath it. She passed them to Ryder to emphasize her point.

"You've been over every inch of them. Joe Panama might have known about prospecting for gold and silver, but he didn't draw these to find hidden treasure. That bottom map describes this cavern, doesn't it?"

Ryder was not surprised that Mary had worked it out for herself.

"You're very good," he said quietly. She could have left him at any time while he was sick; still, she had elected to stay behind and care for him.

"So you know where we are." She nodded.

"Colter Canyon."

"Close enough."

"Do you think the gold was brought here?"

"Not to this cavern, but somewhere close by. I've been over most of the area since we've been here. There's nothing to follow any longer.

If the gold's here, then no one's come to claim it. If it's not, then it was removed in the months after the raid."

"While you were on trial.

Another diversion." She leaned forward and said earnestly, "There must be someone who can help us." He didn't take issue with her repeated assumption that his problem was hers as well. He would save that argument for later.

"I don't know," he said heavily.

"Florence Gardner?" He shook his head.

"I won't ask her." Mary recognized his firmness on that front.

"Very well," she said.

"What about Wilson Stillwell?" She raised her hand, holding off his objections.

"Hear me out, Ryder. You may not have any great feeling for the man, but he is your uncle and he is a senator. He came from Washington to be present at your trial.

That says something about his commitment to family."

"He didn't want me to embarrass him," Ryder said.

"That's why he made the trip." Mary ignored that.

"I don't know the history between you two, but he is in a position to help you. It's a terrible toll your pride is exacting if you refuse to ask him for anything." The frostlike chill was back in Ryder's pale eyes. He said nothing.

"If we can get to Washington will you ask him for help?" It was the way she phrased the question that lowered Ryder's guard.

"Yes," he said. "if we can get to Washington."

"Then it's settled," she said, satisfied.

"Good." She stood, stretching her arms and yawning widely. Watching her, Ryder rolled up the maps and tapped them lightly on the arm of the rocker. As far as he was concerned nothing was settled.

"You'd better explain what you mean." She covered her mouth to suppress another yawn. What was it he didn't understand?

"As soon as you're well enough to travel we'll start for Washington. I can't say it plainer than that."

"You're going to have to," he said.

"How is it that you propose we get there? Walk?" Mary waved a hand dismissively.

"Of course not. We'll take the train." When she saw that he was still looking at her oddly she realized he still didn't know how it could be accomplished. He was probably thinking it would require money.

"Northeast Rail goes all over this country," she told him.

"And my father owns Northeast Rail." Ryder dropped the rolled maps on the floor and came to his feet.

"Absolutely not." Mary flinched at his tone.

When she recovered from her surprise, she asked calmly, "Why not?"

"No." It was not an answer.

"Surely it's my decision."

"You're my wife." She blinked at that.

"It's still my decision.

They're my family."

"They're my family." That announcement took some of the wind from Mary's sails. She suddenly realized she wasn't looking at the problem from Ryder's perspective. He had already told her that in the Chiricahua culture it was the role of the son-in-law to provide. What she was suggesting was flying in the face of that tradition.

"I wasn't thinking," she said finally.

"I didn't realize what it would mean to you. This changes things."

"Good," he said.

"Now it's settled." She nodded.