Dark Summer

CHAPTER 6

"IS SHE AWAKE YET?" WALT Franks asked, when Marrok picked up the phone.

"Awake and spitting mad," Marrok said. "She's giving me a break while she showers and changes. I sent Bridget in to break the bad news about the fire at her farm. It will be a shock, but she'll bounce back. After that, the attack will begin again. Have the police picked up any of Danner's men?"

"Not according to the news." He paused. "But one of the stations did add one bit of nastiness to the story. They're wondering why Devon can't be found, and did she have something to do with the murders."

It was what Marrok had expected. "There was bound to be speculation. But the police haven't jumped on that bandwagon?"

"No, Devon Brady is too respected in the community. They wouldn't go in that direction unless there was cast-iron evidence. But the fire was pretty coincidental."

"Not at all. It's a good way to eliminate trace evidence. They probably would have done the same to the office if the police hadn't come so soon."

"The police are saying it could be the same perpetrators looking for more drugs at her home."

"They've got their teeth into a motive, and they're not going to let it go. It's just as well for us."

"But they're also suspecting that Devon was surprised at home and may have been kidnapped by the thieves to use to get more drugs." He paused. "And Devon's ex-husband is stepping in and taking interviews on CNN."

He went still. "What? Why?"

"Lester Enright is good-looking, well-spoken, and a cop. He's a gift to the media."

"And what is this 'gift' saying?"

"Why don't you turn on CNN and see for yourself?"

"I will." Marrok crossed the room and turned on the TV. The appearance of Devon's ex-husband on the scene had come as a shock. He remembered Walt mentioning him when he'd done the check on Devon, but it had faded from his memory. Freudian? Maybe. His reaction to Walt's comment had been very basic, primal.

"It was a neat cleanup," Walt said. "It was a good idea sending in Bridget and the team."

"I sent in Bridget because I didn't want Devon to have to account for bodies if Danner decided that either Gilroy or Janet weren't necessary. But sometimes the police ignore the obvious. This time we hit-Hold on. I think I have the Enright interview on CNN." Walt was right, Enright was very personable. In his thirties, with sandy hair and blue eyes, his features had a regularity that was almost classical. And his expression was sincere, worried, and slightly stern. Perfect for the occasion, Marrok thought cynically. He turned up the volume as Enright spoke into the microphones.

"Of course, I'm scared. Terrified. My wife is missing. But I will find her."

"You mean ex-wife," the reporter reminded him.

Enright waved a dismissing hand. "Devon and I had our differences, but lately we've been working them out. I'm not going to let those dopeheads ruin it for us. After this is over, I'm taking her away, and we're going to start over." He stared directly into the camera. "I'm coming after you, scumbags. I'm coming after her. You'd better not touch a hair on her head."

Marrok turned off the volume. "Shades of Dirty Harry," he murmured. "I'm sure the female viewers are sending the ratings rocketing, but I'm finding I really don't like Detective Lester Enright." That was an understatement. He had felt an explosion of feeling that was purely primitive. "It makes me want to cram that melodramatic challenge up his ass."

"Whew," Walt said. "I wasn't expecting quite that response. I just thought you'd be interested."

"I'm interested. I want to know all there is to know about Enright. Phone Chad Lincoln in London and tell him that things are heating up, and I may need to call on him. And add Enright's in-depth dossier to Lincoln's list."

"Still, Devon Brady could get the cops off her trail now if you can convince her to phone Enright."

"Hell, no. Besides, I can't convince her to do anything that doesn't involve killing me at the moment."

"Did you tell her she'd have to stand in line?"

"I didn't have to tell her. She'd assume that was a given."

"What do you want me to do?"

Marrok had been racing to do damage control with Devon Brady, but there were other dangers to consider. "We have to find out how Danner knew when and where I surfaced. If he knew I was on Santa Marina, then he may know more. It's time Lincoln did his job. That's why I'm dealing with him."

"Do you want me to fly over there and talk to him in person?"

"No, stay here. I may need you." He paused. "In fact, give me a couple hours and come here. I might need a buffer."

Silence. "You've got to be kidding. You can't handle a small-town vet?"

"It's always a mistake to generalize. She's extraordinary. Take Devon Brady out of that small town, and she could probably run a multinational business."

"Or become a guardian?"

"Don't be late." He hung up the phone.

Yes, he could handle Devon Brady. He could lie and cheat and manipulate. He could even try seduction.

That's it; seduce her, he thought in disgust. It's what he'd been wanting to do since that night in the first-aid tent, and now he had a reason. He had admired her strength, her gentleness, the inner beauty beneath the toughness. But that wasn't all. There was something about her that touched him, stroked him, mentally and physically. It had been a long time since a woman had stirred him to that extent. And the flare of jealousy he had felt a few minutes ago toward Enright had been white-hot and brought that physical response to the surface.

Why not seduction? God knows he knew the tricks. He'd practiced all of the arts of persuasion and deception in hundreds of similar situations over the years. Someone gets in your way, you remove them. At first, it had given him a high to meet the challenge.

Not anymore.

He would never seduce a guardian. Damn, he was already thinking of her as a guardian, and it was probably the worst thing that could happen to her. Take away the life she loved, then risk it again. And what were his motives? He'd told himself it would be safer for her, but had he really only wanted to keep her close for the moment when he got so hot he wouldn't care if she was a guardian or not?

He hoped he'd evolved beyond that selfishness. It was a young man's impulsive lust, and he was no longer that man. He had grown away from reaching out and grabbing. He had left impulsiveness behind.

But not lust.

Lust was the strongest entity always seeking to come into its own through whatever means necessary, striking, letting itself simmer undiscovered, then emerging.

So push it back, he told himself wearily. Be honest. Don't try to manipulate her.

If he could make honesty work.

"I WAS ABOUT TO COME AND knock. You were a long time," Marrok said as Devon came out of the bedroom. "I decided to make supper." He nodded at a chair at the kitchen table. "Sit down."

"I don't want to sit down. I want to go see Nick and Janet."

"You need food and another thirty minutes won't matter."

"It matters." But maybe she'd be better able to cope if she had something to eat. She was feeling drained. She sat down at the table. "But I'll eat."

"Good. Fried chicken and a salad. Is that okay?"

"Unless you've put a mickey into that, too," she said sarcastically. "Anything. I'm hungry."

He smiled. "And ready for battle. Is that why you were locked in that room for the last two hours?"

"I was ready for battle before. Then you sent your friend, Bridget, in to give me another knockout punch with news about the burning of my home. I could take that. Possessions have never been important to me. I just had to get over the effect of the first blow you dealt me."

"First blow?"

"Killing my friends," she said baldly.

"That would take some getting over."

"You're not denying it."

"No, I called you as soon as I had an idea there might be a direct threat." He poured coffee into her cup. "But if you're talking responsibility, then I probably killed them the minute I left Ned in your care. If you were the target, then Danner would have no compunction in killing anyone around you. Domino effect."

The name that Bridget had also mentioned. "Who is Danner?"

"Drink your coffee."

"Danner. Now."

"You're not ready yet. We've been hurling too much at you at one time. How can you believe me if you can't even absorb? For instance, you may be ready for battle, but your hand is shaking."

Damn him for noticing. Yes, put it on hold for a minute and do something normal, comforting. She took a bite of chicken before lifting the cup to her lips. She had to make an effort to keep it steady. "You're sure Janet and my animals are well?"

"Absolutely sure." He met her gaze across the table. "I did my best to remove as much of your life intact as I was capable. It's all I could do."

"Bridget said they were all down at the bunkhouse?"

He nodded. "I wanted to keep you apart from them until you could make your own adjustment to the situation. I'll take you there so that you can see I've been telling the truth. Say the word."

She shook her head. "It wouldn't prove anything. You've set it all up." She took another bite. "You've built this whole scenario, and I don't know what's truth or lies. I have to-I don't know what to think. You were responsible for everything that happened, and yet you saved Nick and Janet and my animals." She pushed the plate away and jumped to her feet. "I've got to get out of here. I can't just sit here drinking coffee and trying to eat this-I'm going to go down to that bunkhouse to see Janet and Nick, and I don't want you to go with me. Will your damn guards allow that?"

"No." He held up his hand. "Ned and I will trail behind you until you're ready to go back. We can be very unobtrusive. Let's go, buddy."

Ned got to his feet and ran over to Devon. He touched her hand with his nose and looked up at her.

Those brown eyes were shining, knowing, yearning to help.

"He senses you're hurting," Marrok said.

"I know that." Her hand stroked Ned's head. "I had a dog like Ned once. Her name was Tess, and she would always be there when I needed her most. She knew what I was feeling, what I was thinking. So much love…" The tears were welling to her eyes again, and she blinked them back. She didn't even know why she was crying. Tess, Hugh, Terry, the fire. Probably for all of them.

"Devon." Marrok took a step toward her.

"Don't you touch me." She whirled to the door. "I don't need comfort from you. I need answers. I'll be fine. Just keep those guards away from me or I'll deck them."

THE NIGHT WAS COOL AND THE stable yard deserted except for the two jeans-clad men leaning casually against the corral fence.

Not so casual. They straightened warily as she came down the porch steps.

"Okay." Marrok made a motion, and the wariness was suddenly gone from the guards' demeanor. "Brian Olivska, Dean Rodlake."

"Good to meet you, ma'am," Olivska said with a smile.

Rodlake murmured something equally polite.

"She's going down to the bunkhouse." Marrok gestured down the sloping yard. "Follow the lights, Devon."

She was already on her way. She could see the lights of the large, long, wooden structure some distance away. They cast a cozy, warm glow in the darkness. All the outbuildings seemed to be good-sized and in excellent repair. Three corrals, a barn, a stable. She couldn't determine the nature of the other buildings. All the livestock must have been put away for the night.

A bray broke the silence of the night.

Except for the donkey in the corral she was passing.

"Casper?"

He was at the fence, and she stopped and reached up a hand to stroke his muzzle. "Okay? How are you doing?"

Evidently fairly well. He wasn't nervous or edgy and seemed his usual self. She wouldn't have expected it. It had taken Casper two weeks to settle when she'd brought him to the farm. "You're suspiciously calm, boy. Did they give you some kind of sedative?"

"We gave him Bridget for an hour or two last night."

She turned to Marrok behind her. "What?"

"You might say Bridget has a way with animals. She's something of a Pied Piper." He nodded at the long building only yards away now. "There's the bunkhouse. I'll wait out here with Ned." He leaned against the fence. "When you're done, I'll be here."

She strode toward the bunkhouse door. "I don't want your company."

"Yes, you do. No one else will answer your questions."

"You haven't done so well in that department so far." She opened the door. "But by all means wait. I want another go at you."

He chuckled. "By all means."

She immediately dismissed Marrok from her thoughts as she saw Nick lolling in front of a stone fireplace a few yards away with a cup of coffee in his hand. Bridget was curled up on a nearby denim-covered couch, Gracie beside her. "Well, you look comfortable."

Nick jumped to his feet, a smile lighting his face. "Lord, it's good to see you." He was across the room in three strides. "I was suspecting something fishy when they wouldn't let us see you when we got in."

Gracie jumped down and darted over to Devon, yodeling with joy. Devon stroked her lovingly. "I'm glad to see you, too, baby."

"I told you that she'd come, Nick," Bridget said as she swung her legs to the floor. "After traveling all those hours with me in the van, you'd think you'd learn to trust me."

"You may be able to hypnotize critters, but I require a little more than they do." He gave Devon a hug, then looked down at her with concern. "How are you doing? I feel like I'm in shock."

"Me, too." Her voice was shaking. "And every time I think about Hugh and Terry, it gets worse. At first, I couldn't believe it. But now it's becoming more real to me. Real is a hell of a lot more pain-"

"I'll leave you two alone." Bridget moved toward the door. "Fill her in on the animals, Nick."

"And Janet."

"By all means. I certainly can't do that. I haven't seen her since we got to the ranch." The door closed behind her.

Devon's gaze flew to Nick's face. "Is something wrong with Janet?"

"Physically, no. Mentally, she's pissed big-time at Bridget, who knocked her out back at the farm."

"She's afraid of her?"

"I said pissed. She's ready to take on everyone at the ranch. Including me, for accepting the comforts that have been extended to me." He picked up his cup from the table where he'd set it down. "Coffee? It's damn good."

"No." She sat down on the couch. "Where is she?"

"At the barn, feeding the cats. She wouldn't trust any of Marrok's people to do it. She said they'd probably poison them."

"What do you think?"

"I wouldn't be sitting here if I thought they were in any danger. You know that, Devon."

"Yes." She rubbed her temple. "It's just that I'm not sure about anything right now. I guess I need reassurance."

"You've got it. These people know animals and like them, maybe even love them. The dogs have been given their own person to take care of them, and they're being cosseted like royalty. Ditto, the pig. The parrots are in the back in A1 cages for the night. They were being allowed out of the cages before it was time to put on their covers. The cats were taken to the barn because that's what they're used to now." He smiled. "We're all being given what we like and are accustomed to. Humans and animals alike. I've an idea that's Marrok's modus operandi. I haven't seen any hint of an iron hand, but I've been stroked by the velvet glove." His smile faded. "How about you? You've been involved with the man himself."

"The iron hand is definitely there." She had a sudden memory of Marrok's hand that had so fascinated her when he was in the first-aid tent. Iron hand, velvet glove, stroking, exploring, the soft brush of the nap against flesh… She tore her thoughts away. "And I haven't noticed any attempt at masking it for me."

"What's happening, Devon?" Nick asked quietly. "What have we gotten mixed up in?"

"I don't know yet." She grimaced. "It has something to do with Ned and a man named Danner. I'll find out more, I promise. And you're not mixed up in this. It's my fault for bringing Ned home. If I can, I'll try to get Marrok to let you go. But he seemed to think that you'd be at risk if he did."

"Will you be able to talk him into letting you go?"

She shook her head. "He says I'm a definite target, and he's gone to a hell of a lot of trouble to get me here. I'll have to get away on my own."

"Then we stay. We don't go anywhere without you."

"Can't you see, that will keep me from trying to get away? It would be a stalemate."

"Then we've got a stalemate." He shifted his gaze to the blaze in the fireplace. "I'd have trouble functioning without you, Devon. When I sold the practice to you, I thought I was ready to retire. I would probably have died within a year like so many men who have nothing to live for after they give up their work. I didn't care. I was tired and wanted out of the fight. I'd lost my wife, Carol, and my little girl to that scum of a drunk driver. All my ideals and zest for living had been eaten away. Then when I was working with you the month I'd agreed on before I was due to leave, I found something. You wouldn't give up. You kept fighting. No matter what happened, you just went on. I found I wanted to stick around until you did something to disappoint me." He lifted his gaze to her face. "You never have."

She felt her throat tighten. "Nick…"

"Enough of this maudlin bullshit. I just wanted to let you know that Janet and I need you. We're not about to let anything happen to you."

"Janet would argue about that. She doesn't need anyone."

He shook his head. "You're blind. You helped Janet when she was down and out. You found a way to get that abusive husband of hers thrown into jail. You gave her a job. You gave her a place in life. You think she doesn't need you? We're family, Devon. An awkward, crippled, sometimes dysfunctional family, but it's been working for us. Right?"

She nodded jerkily. Nick had never talked to her like this, and she was unbearably touched. "Yes. And I may be the most crippled one of all."

"Because of that son of a bitch Enright?" He shook his head. "He didn't cripple you. He just made you grow in another direction. Not a good direction for you, but the rest of us reaped the benefit. You couldn't have a normal life with him on your heels so you channeled all that stored-up love and gave it to all of us. Me, Janet, the animals. Hell, the whole damn world. I've never met a more giving person. It's almost a compulsion with you. So don't talk to me about being a cripple. That's a bunch of crap."

"Are you trying to embarrass me? For Pete's sake, I just do my job." Her throat was tight with emotion. "Could we change the subject?"

He smiled. "Sure. I just wasn't going to let you get away with bad-mouthing the most important member of our family."

"And if I persuade Marrok to let my 'family' go, it might be the worst thing I could do. At least here he seems to offer some kind of protection."

"If you believe him."

"The big 'if.' " She tried to work her way through the maze of doubts. "I believe he did save my life at the clinic. It was close, very close. And he called 911 for the police when he thought there was a possibility there would be trouble. Even if he had nothing actually to do with Hugh's and Terry's deaths, he admits he's to blame for everything that happened because he let me take Ned home."

"He accepts responsibility for it? That's not a bad sign."

"Isn't it? Then it comes down to whether it's safer to trust him now or run the risk of some unsubstantiated future threat." She got to her feet. "And I can't make any decision until I know more. I'll let you know. You're comfortable here?"

"Janet and I are fine. There are several little private cubbyholes in this monstrosity of a bunkhouse. Bed, nightstand, reading lamp. What else could I want?"

"I'll try to get you moved up to the house."

"No hurry." He sat back down in the easy chair. "I'm kind of enjoying the company. Bridget is interesting. She has an astonishing ability with animals."

Devon smiled. "A dog whisperer?"

"Except it seems to extend to every species. She should never have been able to get Casper out of our corral. But she did. And he's settled in very well."

"So have you. Has she been whispering to you, too?"

He chuckled. "Maybe she has, and I didn't know." His smile faded. "Don't worry about us. We're not in any immediate danger. I'm a pretty good judge of character, and I'm not seeing any threat in these people."

"You haven't met Marrok yet."

"No, so he's in your court. As I said, you've never disappointed me, Devon."

"And I'll try not to." She opened the door. "I'll come tomorrow and tell you if-"

"So you've finally seen fit to come down and see us." Janet was coming toward her. "Took you long enough."

"I came as soon-How are you, Janet?"

"Well enough considering this mess you've gotten us into." Janet's eyes squinted as she studied Devon's face. "Your eyes are puffy. You been crying?"

"Yes."

"Sad, or they been hurting you?"

"Sad. My friends…"

"I know all that. What are we going to do about it?"

"I'm not sure yet. I think we're safe here right now."

"Safe? With that viper swishing around like she owns the place."

Viper? "Bridget?"

"I don't believe vipers swish," Nick said. "Try slither."

"It don't matter," Janet said. "If she comes around me, I'll crunch her head." She swung back to Devon. "What's this on your neck?" She reached out a surprisingly gentle finger and touched the ban dage. "Who did it?"

"Not these people. I'm okay, Janet."

"See that you stay that way." Janet passed her as she entered the bunkhouse. "I'm working on a way to get us out of here. I'll tell you when I have a plan."

"That's good." She reached out and pressed Janet's arm. "I have to go back to the house now."

"You should stay down here where we can keep an eye on you," Janet said gruffly. "I was going to go up and take you out of there."

"I'll be fine." She tried to distract her. "How are the cats?"

"Pretty good," she said grudgingly. "They gave me salmon to feed them. It's too rich. It will probably make them sick. They're not used to it."

"They're adaptable." She paused. "That's a good trait."

"You mean you want me to be like Nick and cozy up with these people?"

"No, I just don't want friction. It will make it more difficult for me."

"I'll see what I can do." Janet turned away. "Until I can think of a way to get us out of here. You take care of yourself." She closed the door behind her.

Lord, Janet was going to be a problem. She didn't need this right now.

"Ready to go back to the house?"

She turned to see Marrok still standing by the corral fence where she'd left him. She didn't answer as she started back in the direction of the house.

Gracie ran forward to greet Ned, and they both took off ahead of them.

He fell into step with her. "How did you find Gilroy?"

"Not bad."

"No bruises, no psychological trauma?"

"You know that didn't happen. He feels safe." She made a face. "And he likes your coffee."

He smiled. "Then I'll make sure it's always available for him. I'm sorry I haven't been able to find a comparable security blanket for your housekeeper."

"Janet would throw it back in your face. She thinks Bridget is a viper."

"What do you think?"

"I think she could be dangerous, but not as a snake in the grass."

"You're right. But I'm surprised you picked up on that side of her. She doesn't usually come across as a threat."

And Devon had not felt threatened by her. But she had been aware of hidden depths, and the unknown was always intimidating. "I believe she must be very clever. And she's very loyal to you."

"Yes."

"She talked about you as if you were some kind of King Arthur setting knights out to battle. You must really have her snowed."

"I hope not. I've never tried to deceive Bridget."

"How long has she worked for you?"

"Three years. I was lucky to have found her."

"Found?"

He shrugged. "You don't really want to talk about Bridget, do you?"

Not really. But Bridget seemed to be an integral part of this place, and she had been postponing the questions that might not be answered. "Everything and everyone I don't know about is important right now."

"You're shivering. Are you cold?"

"No." She hadn't been aware that she was shaking. She had gained some mea sure of calmness and composure in her time with Nick, but the shadowy darkness was still clinging to her. "You don't look cold at all."

"I'm not. Heat and cold don't bother me. I suppose it's my genes." He turned and started back in the direction they had come. "My people are used to living outdoors."

She remembered the foreign words he'd spoken to Ned that night. She lifted her brows. "Oh, hobos?"

He chuckled. "You couldn't resist the jab. No, Apaches. I'm half-Apache, half-Spanish. I lived on a reservation until I was twenty." His smile disappeared. "Are you ready to talk now?"

"I'm ready to ask more questions. Unless you have more bad news to hurl at me."

"I never believe in dribbling bad news out. I thought you'd rather take it on the chin. Ask your questions."

"Who is Danner?

"A bastard, a son of a bitch, a murderer."

"What else?"

"A billionaire who dabbles in any research that will bring him megabucks."

She stared at him in disbelief. "Oh, for God's sake, are you telling me that this is all about some damn secret scientific project? What is it? Germ warfare or something? I don't believe it. People like me don't get involved in stuff like that. It sounds like something out of a spy movie."

"You seem to be involved, don't you?" He looked away from her. "And no, it's not bacteria warfare. Danner wouldn't be interested in germ warfare. It's not profitable enough for him to risk working his deals."

"Then what is he dealing?"

"Promises. Many, many promises."

"Don't you do this to me," she said through clenched teeth. "Don't talk around it. I want black-and-white facts, dammit."

He shook his head. "You don't get everything. I'll give you what I can."

"Damn you. I deserve to know what you know. You hurt me."

"Yes."

But he wasn't going to give an inch past the line he'd drawn, she realized in frustration. She attacked from another angle. "Why was Ned shot?"

He was silent a moment. "Because he'd be easier to retrieve than if he was taken alive."

She frowned. "Retrieve?"

"I think Danner knew that Ned was carry ing information that he wants to get his hands on."

"What? How?"

"Ned's microchip. He has info encoded on the message tapped by the microchip embedded in his neck. If Ned were dead, Danner could just steal the body and decode the message."

"Slimeball," she said curtly. "Using a dog to carry some dirty message in his body sucks. No one cares what happens to the dog."

"I care."

She knew he cared. She didn't know how he felt about anything else, but his love for the dog couldn't be questioned. "And you're not going to tell me what was on that message?"

He didn't answer.

She shrugged. "Well, it was for nothing anyway. Whoever encoded the message screwed up. It didn't make sense." But maybe part of the chip made sense. "I thought it was garble. Could it have been-"

"What the hell are you talking about?" He'd stopped and whirled her to face him. "What was for nothing?"

She stiffened warily. He was no longer contained, controlled. His face was taut, his eyes glittering with violence. "The chip. We decoded it."

He began to curse. "Why? You knew I was coming back for him. I promised you."

"Hugh did it without asking me. He thought we should know where you-" She flinched as his hands tightened on her arms. "Take your hands off me, or I'll knee you in the nuts."

He didn't release her but his grip loosened. "You decoded the entire info on the chip?"

"I suppose we did. I couldn't tell. I told you, it didn't make any sense." She stared him in the eye. "Or did it? What I thought was garble could have been a language I didn't recognize. Apache isn't exactly common. Are you the one that encoded that nasty little chip?"

"Yes. That's not important right now. How the hell did you do it? The chip shouldn't have been able to be triggered by any of the machines in your office."

"It didn't. Hugh couldn't do it at first. He tried Vera chip and Avid. Then he decided to use one of the old machines Nick had before I took over the practice. He said it was doing some funny stuff in the transfer, but it made contact."

"Dammit to hell. It would be one chance in a thousand you'd have that out-of-date RFD remote. Did you print out the information you got from the chip?"

"Yes, I was curious. But I decided that it was tech error, like Hugh said."

"Where's the printout?"

"In my purse."

"Good. Then the only record would be in the memory of the decoding machine in your office and the computer." He released her. "They may still be there. The police wouldn't have any reason to take them if they suspected a drug theft." He turned, his stride quickening as he headed for the house. "I have to get back to the clinic."

She had to half run to keep up. "Why?"

"I've got to get that computer." He was cursing again. "If Danner's men didn't take it with them. They might not have had instructions to do it. If they think you work for me, there wouldn't be any reason for you to try to decipher the microchip." He added harshly, "Dammit, it shouldn't have happened. Everything went wrong. I was counting on taking that sniper down the same day you left. That would have let me get to you a day earlier."

She tried to follow his thinking. "Before I went back to the clinic. Before I had even a chance to decode the chip."

"Yes, but I didn't really think you'd try a decode. I just wanted to keep Danner from killing you."

"You did that." She added bitterly, "But you didn't keep them from killing Hugh and Terry, did you?" She added, "Taking down. You mean killing. Who did you kill, Marrok?"

"Kingston, the man who shot Ned. I knew if he was dead, it would buy me a little time." He slanted her a glance, and said deliberately, "But I would have killed him anyway. He tried to kill my dog, and he would have kept coming after us. I couldn't let him do that."

The answer was raw and honest and brutal. He was not trying to sugarcoat any of his actions. It was bizarre to listen to him talk about killing as if it was an ordinary occurrence, she thought. It was just another example of how her life had changed, twisted down this dark path. He dealt out death as casually as those murderers who had killed Hugh and Terry. "And your only regret is that killing him delayed you?"

"Yes." He met her eyes. "And kept me from being in the right place at the right time. Sometimes that can change everything."

"That night on the mountain on Santa Marina you were in the wrong place for me."

"Possibly. Probably. I can't do anything about that now. That's past history."

"Not for me."

"Sorry, I'm not known for my sensitivity. I've said all I can. Done all I can. Now we have to just go on." He took out his phone and dialed. "Walt, we're going back to Denver. We left something behind. Arrange it." He listened impatiently, "No, I can't send someone else. Dammit, this is my responsibility. I'm the one who sent Ned back with her." He hung up and dialed again. "Bridget, Ned's chip's been decoded. I know. I know. Danner may not have it and, if he does, it will take him time to do a translation. But we can't count on either one. Go to Carmel. Danner will probably hit there first." He hung up. "Shit."

She was still in shock from the violence her words had unleashed in him. "Why are you this upset? Tell me what's happening."

"The sky is falling, that's what's happening. If you wanted to get back at me for using you, you couldn't have picked a better way. You lost two people you cared about? I'll be lucky if I don't lose a dozen."

And there could be no doubt of his desperation and agony at the thought of that possible loss. "No matter how bitter I am, I'd never want to cause anyone hurt because of something I'd done. You're going back to the clinic?"

He nodded. "I have to get that-"

"It's really that important to you?"

"It couldn't be more important."

"And it will mean more deaths if Danner gets that decoding?"

"If I can't find a way to prevent them."

She walked in silence for a moment. "I'm going with you."

"No."

"I'll do what I please," she said fiercely. "I don't care about your chip. Except that I don't want those killers to get anything they want. And I don't want anyone else to die."

He was silent a moment. "It's not your fault. I was angry."

"And desperate."

"Yes, it's been a long time since I've been this desperate."

"You kept talking about the domino effect before. Well, something I did evidently caused the dominos to start falling again. I'm not going to look back and find out that I caused anyone to die or be hurt."

"You can't help."

"It's my clinic. I can locate the equipment fast."

"You can tell me where it is."

"I know every inch of that place. I could find that computer blindfolded with my hands tied behind my back." She shook her head. "And I don't trust you. You're too damn violent. There's bound to be police guarding the crime scene. I haven't had great experiences with my ex-husband's pals on the force but I don't want you hurting a cop just doing his job to get that computer. I'm going to be there to make sure you don't."

"I won't kill the damn police-"

"I'm going," she said fiercely. "I won't be moved from pillar to post wherever you choose to put me. This is my life."

He didn't speak for a moment. "You'd be safer here at the ranch. There's a good chance Danner may have left men stationed at both your farm and office. He covers all his bases."

"Then you'll have to make sure I survive. Providing everything you've told me isn't crap."

"It's not crap," Marrok said.

"That's for me to find out. I do know that your damn research isn't worth a human life. Prove it to me. Tell me what's on that chip."

He shook his head. "Same answer. Is it worth a life? It depends on who you ask. But I didn't start this. I didn't take the first life."

"But you're willing to take the last."

"No question." They had come to the steps of the front porch. "Change your mind. I worked hard to keep you alive. I don't want to risk you again."

"I'm the only one who decides what risk I'm going to take." She turned to face him. "Now there's only one thing I want to know. Were you telling me the truth when you said that Danner would have killed Nick and Janet if you hadn't gotten them away?"

He nodded. "After questioning them first. You'd be his first choice, but what he really wants is information, and he doesn't care where or how he gets it."

"And he'll try to get at them again?"

"Yes."

She stared at him in helpless frustration. Should she believe him? He was the stranger who had totally disrupted her life. It wasn't safe to accept everything he said.

Yet there had been no doubt about how angry and desperate he was about the decoding. It was dangerous to ignore what he told her until she could get proof one way or another. She had to know more, and she couldn't do that by sitting here. "I'm going with you."

He shrugged. "Suit yourself. I warned you. Just stay out of my way." He started up the steps. "We'll go to the local airport and meet Walt Franks. We'll take the helicopter to San Francisco, then rent a private jet to Denver. Pack some of the clothes Bridget bought for you. Enough for a couple days."

"We're going to be gone that long?"

"Probably not. But I believe in preparing for any emergency. Things don't always work out the way we want them to."

"I believe you mentioned that. You didn't kill a man in time to save my friends." She passed him as they entered the house. "Who's going to take care of Ned?"

"He goes with us. You'd better take Gracie back to Nick."

"You always take Ned with you?"

"When I can. When it's good for him." He reached down and stroked Ned's head. "Usually it's safer. I don't trust him with everyone. Walt and Bridget." He looked up. "And you."

"Considering the consequences, I wish you'd not included me on the short list."

"You'd rather I'd left him to be found by Danner's man?"

No, she couldn't stand the thought of a helpless animal being slaughtered. It hurt her to even imagine it. "I'd rather you told me, warned me, and let me decide."

"There wasn't time. And I'm not used to letting anyone else decide anything about Ned." He headed for the library. "Get moving. Ten minutes."