Hang up? No, he’d just call back. Let him get the poison out, and he might give her peace tonight. “None. If you know I was on Santa Marina, you know that I was on a job.”

  “Yeah, everyone in towns says how noble you are, but we know different, don’t we? You only go away because you want to fuck, and you know I’d kill you if I caught you with any man here. I’d kill you both.”

  Threats and obscenities. He never tired of them. “That’s ridiculous. I was on a job.”

  “It’s been a long time since I heard your voice, bitch. I’ve known the number since the second week after you changed it, but I wanted to make you think you’d fooled me. Surprises are always more effective. I’m having a little trouble getting your cell number, but I’ll persuade someone in the phone company office to give it to me soon.” He paused. “The house phone is in Nick Gilroy’s name. You have him wrapped around your finger, don’t you? Do you sleep with him, too?”

  “We’re friends,” she said between her teeth. For God’s sake, let him hang up. She didn’t know how much more she could stand.

  “No, I think it might be Dalks. He’s younger and I know your appetite. Do you do it at the clinic?”

  “No. And I’m sure you know it.” She couldn’t take anymore. “I’m going to hang up.”

  “And you’re hoping I won’t call you back.”

  “Yes. I don’t deserve this, Lester.”

  “You deserve anything I want to hand out to you.” His tone was suddenly ugly. “Whore. No other man, Devon. You’re coming back to me. You killed my child. Now you’re going to give me another one.”

  “I didn’t kill—” The pain was searing through her as it always did when he reached this point. “You know I—”

  “No other man, bitch.” He hung up.

  She was cold, shaking. She shouldn’t let him do this to her. God knows she was used to this ugliness. She should be stronger. But the threat wasn’t only to her, it was to the people close to her. This time he’d mentioned both Nick and Dalks.

  It didn’t mean that Lester would move on them, she told herself. It could be a tactic to make her more afraid and drive her back to him. But could she take the chance? Lester was getting uglier with every contact. If he didn’t hurt Nick or Hugh Dalks physically, he could find ways to make trouble for them. In the years since she’d left him, she’d known him do everything from planting drugs in the car of her date to giving anonymous tips that another male friend was a child molester. All ugly, all permanently scarring. It mustn’t happen again. Not to Nick, who deserved peace and some mea sure of contentment. Not to Hugh Dalks, who was just starting out and might face ruin at Lester’s hands.

  No, tomorrow she’d find a way to change her phone number again and start to plan on how best to keep Lester from hurting these people she cared about. Would she have to go away again?

  Dammit, this was her home.

  I can make another home. So stop whining and do what has to be done.

  “DEVON BRADY,” DANNER REPEATED softly. “You’re sure, Rachoff?”

  “Yes, she has the dog,” Rachoff said. “She caused all kinds of upset trying to arrange to get him off the island. You’re not supposed to take any livestock back to the States without quarantine but she pulled some strings and got permission to take him back with the rest of the search and rescue team.”

  “That sounds like a considerable hassle. Now why would she want to go to the bother?” He thought he could guess. He’d thought it was bizarre that Marrok had suddenly taken it into his head to go on a rescue mission.

  Devon Brady.

  Was she one of them? Had he used the disaster mission to make contact with her? Marrok had always made the effort to keep the identity and whereabouts of the guardians secret. He wouldn’t risk contacting her in her usual environment. He’d transferred the dog into her care. Was that what he’d meant to do anyway?

  “What do you want me to do?” Rachoff asked. “There’s no sign of Kingston. Do you want me to stick around and see if I can locate him?”

  “Hell no. I wouldn’t have sent you if I hadn’t thought Marrok had gotten to Kingston. If you did locate him, he’d probably be six feet underground.” And good riddance to the bastard. He’d had his chance and blown it. “Get back to the States. Marrok won’t let the dog stay with the Brady woman now. We have to move fast and get to that Lab before he does.”

  “I’ve never understood why that dog is so important to—”

  “I don’t pay you to ask questions,” Danner said curtly. “Where does she live?”

  “Bayside, Colorado. A small town outside Denver. Do you think that’s where she’ll take the dog?”

  “I don’t know. We may get lucky. She may not have been able to make alternate arrangements so quickly. If we move fast, we may be able to scoop her up. I’ll send a team to meet you in Denver. Get moving.”

  “The dog is alive. So is Marrok.” Danner turned to Paul Caswell. “It’s not going to be an easy retrieval. Dammit, we came so close this time.”

  “At least Marrok is on the radar screen again. We may be able to track him.” Caswell shrugged. “It’s been a long time since we got this close.”

  “You’re very cool,” Danner said sarcastically. “So slick. Why shouldn’t you be? Marrok isn’t trying to kill you.”

  “That doesn’t mean I don’t intend to get him.” He rose to his feet. “Our reasons may differ, but our goal is the same. I’ll arrange for air transport and check out what the situation is in Denver.”

  Danner’s hands clenched into fists as he watched Caswell leave the room. What the hell. He couldn’t blame Caswell for not having the same passion as Danner for getting Marrok. Four years ago, when they’d almost gathered him in, Danner had been angry and disappointed but he hadn’t had this feeling of desperate urgency. The years had done that to him. He’d had all that power dangling before him and not been able to reach out and grab it. It had gone on too long, and Danner wanted it ended.

  Caswell might not mind waiting, but Danner couldn’t wait. He wouldn’t wait.

  This time they had to get Marrok.

  “DOES IT HAVE TO BE TONIGHT, Bridget?” Fraser whispered. “It would be easier for you if you had the chance to let him get to know you.”

  “I know that,” Bridget said. She didn’t like the hurry any more than Fraser. She didn’t like any of this business. Creeping around stealing someone’s animal in the middle of the night was a good way to get shot. “Marrok says it has to be as soon as possible. He wants the donkey and all the other animals out of here. I told him it would be difficult as hell.”

  “Why can’t you just go get Ned?”

  That’s exactly what she’d asked Marrok. “He said for us to get the donkey first. Marrok will get Ned himself. You know it never does any good to argue with him. He’d only say we work for him and to do what he tells us.”

  “That doesn’t often stop you,” Fraser said dryly. “I wouldn’t talk back to him, but you never have a problem.”

  She shrugged. “This time he’s right. He hired me three years ago to help him with Danner, and that means doing things that aren’t always in the rule book. Just have the trailer ready.” She moved toward the fenced enclosure the donkey occupied. His name was Casper, she’d found out by asking around the small town. He’d been injured, and the own er had wanted to put him down, but Devon Brady had healed him, then taken him under her wing. Bridget approved the action, but she didn’t look forward to dealing with a donkey. Even the most placid could be temperamental at times and their hooves and teeth could do serious damage.

  And it was going to be hard to make Casper understand, blast it. Particularly when she didn’t have the time to prepare him. That’s what she’d tried to tell Marrok but all he’d said was that the donkey would be the most difficult and had to be taken first. He was right, but that—

  A chill suddenly struck her. Her head lifted, and her gaze shifted to the east.

  “What is it?” Fraser asked, his gaze on her face.

  “I don’t know.” She was shivering. “I… don’t like …” Her gaze moved around the peaceful paddocks. Not here. Not now. “Are you supposed to stay here after I leave?”

  He nodded. “Marrok told me to keep an eye on the place and let him know if there’s trouble.”

  “Be careful.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Dammit, I hate it when you do that, Bridget,” he said in disgust.

  “Tough.” She couldn’t blame him. But it was just as frustrating for her. No, not frustrating, terrifying. Keep it under control. It could be a false alarm. “I’m giving you all I can. It’s not right away. Maybe not at all. Now let me concentrate on this donkey.”

  “Who’s stopping you?” He was uneasily following her gaze toward the east. “You’re the one who decided to scare the pants off me.”

  “Sorry.” She didn’t want to frighten Fraser. She couldn’t be sure. She wasn’t right all the time. Forget it and get to the job at hand. “Okay, Casper,” she said softly as she opened the gate. “We’re going to go very slow. Just listen, and we’ll see what we can do together.”

  Casper turned to look at her.

  Not a warm response. She could sense only wariness and the gathering of strength.

  “We have to help Devon.” She was slowly walking toward him. “She needs us to go away for a while. Nothing is going to happen to you. I promise you.”

  Distrust.

  “I know. You haven’t had much reason to trust people. But it’s started to turn around. There are people coming here that might hurt you. If she knew, Devon would want you to go.” She reached out and touched the center of his head with her forefinger. Careful. Casper might look the picture of a friendly figure from a children’s book, but those teeth were scissor-strong, and one bite could take off a finger.

  He didn’t move under her touch.

  How much time did she have?

  Not long.

  But she had to take the time. If he brayed, he might wake the house hold. If she tried to put a halter on him, he might lead her all over the pasture before he let her catch him. He had to follow her willingly.

  She gently rubbed the sweet spot on his muzzle. “It’s okay. You don’t want to be here right now. Nothing is going to happen to you. I wouldn’t let it. I’m going to be with you all the way…”

  CHAPTER 4

  HOME.

  The sun was shining with hazy brilliance through the filmy white drapes at the window as Devon opened her eyes.

  Something wasn’t right, she realized drowsily.

  Gracie wasn’t on her usual place beside her bed.

  That’s right, after Gracie had come back from the paddock she’d eaten her evening meal, then settled down beside Ned in the kitchen. It was the first time she’d not spent the night in Devon’s room since Devon had brought her home. She must be really concerned about the Lab.

  Devon swung her legs to the floor and got out of bed. She’d shower, dress, and check Ned’s stitches. Then she had to go to the clinic and ease back into the regular routine.

  Sometimes routines were blessedly comforting. When she had been younger, she had been full of the love for adventure and change. That was before she had learned that adventures could be tragic, and changes weren’t always happy. She was more cautious now.

  That wasn’t what Nick called it. He said she was turning into a stick-in-the-mud. He was always urging her to go away, set sail on a cruise, get away from the grind.

  Get away from Lester, he really meant. He never mentioned Lester’s name, but he’d been with her long enough to know what she was going through.

  Maybe Nick would get his way, she thought sadly. She’d almost made up her mind that she’d have to leave this situation behind her.

  Her cell phone rang. No ID.

  Let it not be Lester.

  “Devon Brady.”

  “Jude Marrok. I have to see you.”

  She stiffened. “The hell you do. Do you realize what you put me through getting that dog out of Santa Marina?”

  “Yes, but I also knew you might be the only one who could.”

  “It would have served you right if I’d left him there.”

  “That wasn’t going to happen.” He repeated, “I have to see you. Can you meet me at your clinic in town?”

  “No, I have work to do there.”

  “It’s eight now. I’m in St. Louis waiting to change planes. I’ll be there as soon as I can. Don’t leave Ned. Take him to your office.”

  “Don’t give me orders, Marrok.”

  “Do what I say. I’m doing what’s best for you.”

  He hung up before she could answer.

  Damn him. Marrok had been as curt and cool as he had been on the island. She still wasn’t sure she should turn the Lab over to him. And she certainly wouldn’t rush to be at her office to clear her calendar by the time he got there.

  She took a leisurely shower, washed and dried her hair, and entered the kitchen a few minutes before nine. “Good morning, Janet. How did you sleep?”

  “You know I always sleep good.” Janet was turning the bacon. “No tossing and turning for me. You just have to set your mind to it.”

  Gracie got up from her place beside Ned and bounded toward Devon.

  “It’s about time you paid some attention to me,” Devon murmured. She rubbed the greyhound’s ears. “How’s your friend?”

  “That Lab’s been begging me for bacon,” Janet said. “Sitting there all pretty and expecting me to throw him a bite. He’s teaching Gracie bad habits.”

  Devon stifled a smile. “And you didn’t give in, of course.”

  “I threw him a few pieces. I wouldn’t have done it, but protein is good to heal wounds. Right?”

  “Absolutely.” She knelt beside the Lab and examined the wound. She gave a low whistle. “But he may not need any help. This wound is doing incredibly well.” Marrok had said that Ned healed well, but she hadn’t expected the mending to have progressed to this degree. She patted Ned’s head. “You’re doing good, fella. Keep it up.”

  “If you’re done with that coddling, you might sit down and eat your breakfast while it’s hot, so I haven’t wasted my time.” Janet placed the eggs and bacon on the china plate. “Wash your hands first.”

  “I’m aware of the hygiene factor.” Devon washed her hands at the sink. “Where’s Nick?”

  “He went down to feed Casper and the cats. Though those cats should be earning their keep being mousers in that barn. I saw a rat the last time I went down there.”

  “They were raised as house cats.” She sat down at the table and started eating. “They’d be here with us if they weren’t afraid of the dogs.”

  “They just like having their own kingdom in that barn, with all of us waiting on them.” Janet poured her a cup of coffee. “You spoil them.”

  “Maybe.” She was looking at Ned. He was bright-eyed and moving with only a little stiffness. “Your friend, Marrok, wants you back. What about it?”

  Ned’s tail thumped hard on the floor.

  “Is that a yes? I’m not so sure. I certainly won’t turn you over to him until I’m sure you’re well on the way to healing.”

  “He looks good to me,” Nick said from the kitchen door. “Better than good.”

  “I’ll take him in and have him checked over just to make sure. Are you going with me?”

  “No.” He grimaced. “I have to get in the truck and see if I can find Casper.”

  She stared at him in bewilderment. “What?”

  “I must have left the gate ajar when I went into the paddock to feed him last night. It was half-open when I went down this morning.” He held up his hand. “Don’t worry. No one is going to take Casper. Everyone knows he belongs to you. If I can’t find him, I’ll leave word with all the farmers in the neighborhood to let me know when they see him.”

  “I’m not worried about him being stolen. Casper’s not too bright. He has a tendency to charge if he gets ner vous. Maybe I should go with you.”

  “He’ll be fine. I think I can handle that donkey. He’ll recognize me as the bringer of good vittles.” Nick took the keys to the truck from the cookie jar on the counter. “I’ll call you when I locate him. Otherwise, I’ll see you at the clinic later.”

  “Okay.” She was frowning as she watched him go down the steps. It was odd that Casper had gotten loose. Nick was always very careful about locks. But he was right; the donkey would probably be fine.

  “I never left the gate open,” Janet said flatly. “Not once.”

  “And Nick usually doesn’t either.” She finished her coffee and got to her feet. “Come on, Ned. Let’s go to the clinic and check you out. We’ll have my friend Dr. Dalks take a look at you, then I’ll let you sit with the receptionist and charm all the patients. You’ll like Terry. She’s a pushover for Labs.”

  “DEVON BRADY LEFT THE HOUSE ten minutes ago,” Fraser said when he picked up Marrok’s call. “Nick Gilroy left before her. I think he’s looking for the donkey.”

  “Did she take Ned with her?”

  “Yes, he looked pretty spry.”

  “He should. It’s been two days,” Marrok said. “Are you still at the farm?”

  “Yes.” Fraser was silent. “Bridget says she thinks … she was nervous last night.”

  His hand tightened on the phone. “Any sign?”

  “No, but I’ve been keeping my eyes peeled. I’m going to take another look around after I hang up. Bridget isn’t often wrong.”

  No, she wasn’t, Marrok thought. In her own way her instincts were as sharp and accurate as Ned’s. Bridget would appreciate the comparison. She liked animals better than she liked most people.

  Devon had said something like that the night he’d met her. She would probably get along very well with Bridget.

  If he could keep her alive long enough to meet her.

  “Don’t take any chances, Fraser. Your job is to report, not engage. Call me when you finish checking the area.”

  “I will. I’ll see them before they see me.” He hung up.

  Dammit, he had at least an hour before he reached Denver, and it would be another hour before he could make it to the small town of Bayside.

 

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