“And sugar.”

“Here you go. It’s only half full.”

“Wise, I’m sure.” He accepted the cup and sipped.

“I—Dr. Chase, I just saw how fast we’re going.”

He sipped again, seeming not to have heard her.

“A hundred and forty? Is that right?”

He took the cup from his lips. “About that. We have to reach Canada and travel another hundred miles or more before sunrise. Or so I think. You see, I believe that you’ll agree to what I’m proposing. At this point you have nothing to lose, after all. And much to gain.”

Cassie drew breath, let it out, and filled her lungs again. “I’ve been looking out the window. Everything’s whizzing past. I feel like I’m in a low-flying plane.”

Gideon nodded, smiling. “I wish I had one. But if I did, there’d be no place to land it where we’re going. A hopper would be better, but the Mounties are on the lookout for smugglers. Are you up to some hiking?”

“In these heels? Absolutely not!”

“No. You’ll have to take them off. You know, I ought to have thought of that.”

“Brought shoes for me?”

He shook his head. “Told you to take off whatever shoes you might be wearing and put on walking shoes.”

“You know, I like you. But if I weren’t crazy, I’d be demanding that you turn this—this hot rod of yours around immediately.”

“And yet you are not.”

“No. And you haven’t told me anything. Not anything beyond the less than charming fact that I may have to hike for miles barefoot.”

“I will try to tell you whatever you want to learn,” Gideon said, “provided I know the answers myself. Ask a question.”

“How will you make me a star?”

“Ah!” He turned his head and looked at her so long that she felt a thrill of terror.

“Drive! Please drive! If we hit something at this speed . . .”

“We won’t.” Gideon looked ahead again. “There’s some slight danger, though, that we might buzz right through the checkpoint. It must be close.”