“I’d better go help,” Arthur said. He was sliding off the seat of the jeep when Masterson turned and began walking toward them. He stopped alongside the jeep as Arthur swung out from behind the wheel.
“Arthur,” he said softly.
“Yes, Mr. Masterson?”
Chuck felt every muscle in his body tense. There was a strange look on Masterson’s face, a tight smile accompanied by a glitter in his brown eyes.
“How about getting over to the truck and lending a hand?” he asked.
“I was just headed…”
“Never mind what you were just about to do. Get over to the truck.” Masterson’s voice was ugly.
“Sure,” Arthur said dully. He dropped to the ground and began walking toward the truck. He had draped his soiled shirt over his shoulders, and his muscles rippled in the sunlight as he walked, his shoulders broad under the thin material.
Masterson watched him go, and then turned to Owen and Chuck. There was a smile on his face.
“There was no need for that,” Owen said.
“I pay a man to work,” Masterson answered, “and I expect work.”
“We disagree about a lot of things, Mr. Masterson,” Chuck said.
Masterson shrugged. “Don’t misunderstand me. Arthur’s a good worker. One of the best I’ve ever had. But…”
“Sure,” Owen said.
Masterson looked at Owen’s face. Then his eyes flicked to Chuck’s. He found no friendliness there. Chuck watched a puzzled frown cross Masterson’s features and he realized again that the big man simply did not understand.
Masterson shrugged again and made a slight shaking motion with his head. “Well,” he said, “I hope you two snap out of your little peeves. It’ll make things a lot more pleasant.”
He turned without saying another word, heading back for the truck. Pete had already started a fire, and a pot of coffee was brewing on it.
“We’ve got to get out of here,” Owen said.
Chuck nodded, still thinking of Masterson, wondering what went on in the man’s mind.
“If we can get back to the rendezvous site, we may be able to get word to the authorities.”
“Shouldn’t they already know what happened, Owen?”
Owen shook his head. “I don’t see how. The Time Slip is fully automatic. They won’t be picking us up for a week. They’ve no way of knowing what Masterson has done.”
“But…” Chuck paused, suddenly aware that they were both whispering. “If we can’t get back for a week, how are we going to contact the authorities?”
“I figure there are plenty of government-sponsored scientists roaming the Jurassic period,” Owen explained. “Maybe some of them are due for pickup at about this time. If we can catch them at the rendezvous site, we can give them a message to take back.”
Chuck shook his head dubiously. “Sounds like a long gamble to me. After all, you don’t know for sure that anyone is scheduled for pickup right now.”
“I realize that. But it’s a chance.”
“Yeah,” Chuck said listlessly. “It’s a chance.”
“Maybe we can get away when it’s dark,” Owen said. “Masterson certainly doesn’t expect us to take off.”
Chuck glanced up quickly. “Speak of the devil.”
Masterson was walking toward the jeep. He stopped and put his hands on his hips. “Unless you two are
“Thanks,” Owen said.
“You know, Spencer, I’ve been thinking over what you said. Maybe you’re right. It is dangerous out here.”
“Then you’ll turn back?” Owen asked, a spark of hopefulness in his eyes.
“Well-no. But Gardel and I have decided to take turns at guard duty tonight.” He paused and smiled. “Just to make sure nothing gets into the camp, you understand.”
Owen’s face fell. “Sure. I understand.”
“And, of course,” Masterson went on, “we wouldn’t want anything to leave the camp, either.”
“Of course,” Owen said dryly. He exchanged glances with Chuck, and there was a defeated bitterness in his eyes.
“You might come over for a snack whenever you’re ready,” Masterson said agreeably. “I’d like you by the fire, anyway, before it gets dark.” He paused and the smile grew larger on his face. “I wouldn’t want any animals to carry you off.”