"You would recover from that guilt," Mina told him, with a firm authoritative tone of voice. "Because it's what I would want you to do. And you're not the sort who deny that."

She paused. "And really, darling. I do think that's a bit egocentric. I'm perfectly capable of pissing off these scientists without your help. I'm sure I've given them plenty of reasons to hate me besides the fact that I happen to fancy you."

There was levity in her voice, but there was also a ring of truth to what she was saying. After all, Mina Barrett was not known for staying out of trouble.