Iris Johansen - Dark Summer

That was what Sarah was going to do.

That was what Bridget was doing. Guarding Camelot from the invaders.

"You're frowning," Sarah said. "Is something wrong?"

She nodded. "I have to think about it."

Sarah got to her feet. "Well, whatever it is, we can fix it. Marrok told me to ask you to meet him at the helicopter with Ned. He said he'd fly you back to the ranch to get Nick Gilroy and your housekeeper. He thought you'd want to talk to them."

"He's right. They've been bounced around without consulting them too much already." Devon slowly stood up. "I'll go get Ned."

"Do that," Sarah's voice was absent as she headed for the house. "I've got to call John…"

Ned was up and playing again, this time with Addie. The black Lab and the golden retriever were a splendid flash of color against the green grass. They had both been Paco's dogs and had probably played together like this on that sun baked earth in Arizona. Ned was obedient. If she called him, he would come to her.

She didn't call him.

Devon moved slowly toward the dogs. Monty and the wolf, Maggie, were standing still, watching her approach. There was no threat, just curiosity in their regard. Their coats were shimmering in the strong sunlight, and their eyes had the same wisdom she had seen in Ned's. Could Sarah's wish have come true? Had just the contact made them one with Marrok's dogs? Or maybe they had been special before, and she was just seeing the reflection she wanted to see. Each dog was unique and golden in its own way.

"Hello," she said softly. "I'm Devon. I won't hurt you."

Ned had seen her and was bounding across the grounds to meet her, barking joyously. Addie skidded to a stop, then turned and ran after him. The next moment, Devon was surrounded by the four animals. They were rubbing against her, making soft sounds deep in their throats. Circling and moving, trying to get closer. Full of love and trying to give it to her.

She stood there and lifted her face to the sun. She felt light as air, as if she could float off into that brilliant blue sky. Her heart was swelling, beating with the sounds and scents of nature. The smell of the grass, the rustle of the wind in the trees…

And with all the love and beauty of the dogs of summer surrounding her.

BRIDGET TENSED, HER GAZE ONDevon Brady standing with the dogs in the grounds below. Something was going on down there. Devon's head was raised as if to drink in the sun. It should have been a peaceful scene, but it wasn't. There was too much going on beneath the surface. Bridget could sense the waves of emotion vibrating from the other woman. She couldn't sort out what they were, but whatever Devon was feeling was incredibly intense.

And emotion that intense couldn't exist without a release that would be explosive.

"What's happening with you, Devon Brady?" she murmured.

Storm clouds.

The sun was shining, but storm clouds seemed to surround the woman with the dogs.

Bridget felt a chill.

It was nothing, she told herself. It wasn't like Fraser. Not yet. She didn't even know Devon Brady very well.

But she could see the darkening of those deadly storm clouds all around her.

"IT'S VERY KIND OF YOU TO COMEout here to see me, Detective Enright," Danner said. "Particularly in this time of your great stress."

"I couldn't do anything else," Lester Enright said bluntly. "Not when your friend Caswell dangled such persuasive bait. He said you could get my wife back."

Danner studied him. Yes, he had judged Enright correctly from the reports Caswell had brought him. You could never be sure until you actually were brought face-to-face. He had been aware of the anger, the darkness, beneath that façade he showed the world, but he hadn't sensed the viciousness. Enright would do very well. Now all he had to do was set him up and push the right buttons. "I've noticed you persist in forgetting she divorced you."

"That was a mistake. We're getting back together. Now can you or can you not give me information as to my wife's whereabouts?"

"I was hoping we might cooperate toward reaching that goal."

"You don't know where she is?" Enright started to get to his feet. "Then you're wasting my time."

"Sit back down. I don't know where she is," Danner said. "But I know who she's with. And it's not some cokehead trying to force her to get him crack. I believe you suspected that, didn't you?"

"Did I?" Enright asked warily.

Set him up. "She's run from you before. Only this time she's found someone to keep her entertained. She took the opportunity the robbery at the clinic gave her and bolted."

Enright's face flushed with anger. "This is bullshit."

"I'm not attacking you. I want your help. Think about it. No bodies found at the farm. All of her animals mysteriously disappeared. I'm sure you considered the possibility."

He didn't answer for a moment. "I considered it."

Push the button. "And you want to know who the little whore is sleeping with now."

He didn't answer, but Danner could see the sudden tension of his body. "Marrok. Jude Marrok. Women seem to like him. He certainly has no trouble getting any of them into bed. Particularly not Devon Brady."

"Where is he?" Enright asked hoarsely.

"Well, you see that's the problem. I'm not sure. I don't care anything about your Devon, but I have a score to settle with Marrok. If I can lure your 'wife' into the open, I may be able to get Marrok. Interested?"

"If you can't find them, how can I?"

"I have the money to bribe, but you're a police detective. You have a badge. You can check phone lines, arrange traces, get information that's only available to law enforcement. And you've studied Devon Brady. No one knows her better. You may be able to tell me which way she'll jump."

"And what's in it for me?"

"Ah, the eternal question. Isn't finding Devon Brady enough?"

"Not this time." His lips curled. "She's played her games for the last time with me. She has to be punished."

"I sympathize." Danner leaned back in his chair. "Let me think. I believe I can accommodate you. How would you like to take a little vacation? Say for five or six months? I have a half interest in a drug distribution business in Nigeria and own a wonderful house there. You could be very comfortable. I'd provide you with the funds to ease your way."

"Is that all? I've checked up on you. You're a rich and powerful man. If you want something from me, you're going to pay through the nose. And I don't want to go to Nigeria."

"Yes, you do. Money is everything in those little African towns. For instance, I've been having problems with the local government about distribution of my drugs, and a little discreet bribery and the council just looks the other way."

"What kind of problems?"

"The main drug we distribute is one that's issued to newborn AIDS babies to pump up the immune system. The town council has been complaining that the drugs are diluted and so old that they've lost their potency, that we're buying on the black market."

"Is it true?"

He shrugged. "What difference does it make? Those babies would probably die anyway." He paused. "But I only told you about my solution to a sticky problem to open your eyes to the freedom men like us can have in the right circumstances."

Enright's eyes narrowed on Danner's face. "Freedom?"

Now close the deal. Push the bastard over the edge. "It's still a savage land," Danner said softly. "There are places there you could keep a woman and do anything you wanted with her. Rape, abuse, humiliation of any description. You wanted to punish Devon Brady? I'll give her to you. If you tire of her, you won't find it difficult to have her disappear from the face of the earth."

Enright was silent, but Danner could see the emotion flicker in his expression. He had him.