Chapter Ten
THE SISTER CODEPhoenix left Mikaere in the paddock and jogged back to camp. Kirwan stayed to untack his borrowed camp horse and to run a curry comb over its sweating flanks.
“We were looking for you, Phoenix.” Tina sounded suspicious and Phoenix fixed a light expression on her lips.
“I told Grant I was taking my horse for a run along the beach,” she said. It seemed no minor feat to keep the wooden smile on her face as Tina glared at her.
“Did you go alone?” Tina’s tone sounded threatening and took Phoenix by surprise. She swallowed and opted for a partial truth.
“No, I told you. I took Mikaere with me.” Before Tina could probe further, Phoenix made her escape. She sought the girls from her cabin and found them already seated in a circle waiting for her.
“Kylie’s got a bel
