Utem arrived, and Franka wondered whether there were still more of them in the woods. They irritated her with all their talking, hissing, whispering in broad accents. She heard anger in their voices, they weren't pleased Derrick was talking to her. But none seemed eager to kill her, either, which she took as a good sign, for now. No amount of drinking St.John's wort could render your eyes sensitive enough to light to see much of any of them in this dark, but they all looked armed, fit, trained, equipped with the latest technology - all perhaps than one, the woman whose hair was a pale shimmer under the trees.<br/><br/>Franka slowly got back to her feet, keeping a safe distance from Derrick and the rest. Her ears strained their hardest to listen into the woods, for the far away sounds, the noises of animals, checking for anything that might contain a warning. It was difficult to do with this much activity of gathered people, moving this way and that, talking, doing things. Insufferable, for one like her who preferred to remain in utter silence at night. She forced herself to allow her attention to divide and focus partly on Derrick.<br/><br/>"Yes, she's still got it. She remembers you - but she was four, six years ago, right? She's okay, safe, a tad small for her age, very smart. I'll not tell you where she is or bring you to her." She paused for emphasis. "I might bring her to you, but that depends. I must be sure you're better for her than what she's got now. Obviously, you didn't tell your people why you're here. Those who sent you, can you even say whether they'll let her out of Europe? They kill everybody else who tries to leave. She's smart, so I guess you are. Think it through. All of it, all consequences."<br/><br/>When he promised to keep her safe, give her everything she wanted, she shook her head."I don't need protection except from the people you brought here. You'll only try to keep me alive for as long as I'm your only way to get your kid. That's okay. But stop this crap. You've got nothing I want, and if you had it, you couldn't give it to me. It's all empty word, waste of time. You want your daughter? Prove to me you're a good father. I won't do a thing for you - but for her, I'll do a lot. Now, better get things sorted out with your people before you alienated them completely." She grumbled, obviously not inclined to follow him to the others or continue the conversation. She wanted him to think about what best to do, not talk about Jasmine and ask endless questions that would only distract him from what mattered.