"Who?" All through their march, Diane had wanted to make her peace with Johnny Hope, but the opportunity had never presented itself.
"I'm not at liberty to say," Burwood told her slyly, and winked.
"Is it Johnny Hope?"
Burwood smiled affably. "I can't say. Please, Diane. I was only told to fetch you. It's been arranged temporarily, but he can't remain back there indefinitely."
"I'm coming. Lead the way," Diane said eagerly, and fell into step with Burwood. Johnny Hope must have had his reasons for not fighting with Starbuck. He was not the cowardly type, unless Diane had suddenly become a bad judge of people. Perhaps he thought, in some strange way, he was protecting her....
"Where is he, Tom? I don't see anyone."
"A little further."
"But we've already left the column."
"Just around that clump of trees, I think."
Something rustled in the undergrowth. "Johnny?" Diane called expectantly.