Iris Johansen: Dark Summer

"That's good."

"Now, where are you?"

"I set the helicopter down in a glade on the other side of the island. Do you want me to come and get you?"

"No, you'd be spotted. The mountain is crawling with soldiers right now. The vet put a burr under them about a rescue dog being shot, and they're searching for the villager who did it."

"It was a villager?"

"No way. It was a Remington sniper weapon."

Walt was cursing. "Danner? He's found you?"

"That's my bet."

Walt was silent. "It's been four years, Marrok. How the hell did he do it?"

"Money. Manpower. Determination."

"I was hoping that we'd slipped under the radar."

"It was only a matter of time. Danner isn't going to give up until we find a way to take him out." He paused. "But first we have to take out his shooter here on the island. We can't risk leaving a trail for Danner to follow. If we can slide out from under here, we may have a little time for damage control."

"What do you want me to do?"

"Stay put. Be ready to pick me up when I call you and get me out of here."

"Anything else?"

"No. Yes. After you hang up from me, call Chad Lincoln with MI6 and get a report on Devon Brady. She's the vet taking care of Ned."

"You think she's connected with Danner?"

"No, that's not why I want it."

Walt was silent for a moment. "A guardian?"

"Maybe. At any rate, I'm going to have to leave Ned in her hands for a while. I can't risk moving him, and I can't stay here with him. I have to be sure I can trust her to take care of him."

"You wouldn't be considering her for a guardian if you didn't believe that already."

"I trust my instincts only so far. I have to be sure. I want that report before I leave the island."

"You'll have it. Do you know when you'll be ready to be picked up? What's the plan?"

"I don't have a plan. I'm just going hunting, then I'm going to kill the son of a bitch." He hung up.

But he couldn't leave now. Not until he was sure Devon Brady was on her way back down the mountain. He had to be certain that Ned was going to be under her personal care. He moved over to the entrance of the tent and stared up at the mountain.

She'd had time to get on the other side by now and had probably joined the excavators at the site where he'd planted his flag. She'd said if she found anyone alive, she'd send up a flare, and a medical team would tear up the mountain. All he had to do was wait.

Ned gave a soft bark behind him.

He looked over his shoulder and smiled. "Hi, back with me again? Don't move. Okay?"

Ned tried to get up and fell back with a little yip of pain.

"I told you. What a stubborn animal you are. You never listen."

Ned's tail thumped frantically on the table as he made another attempt.

"But this time you have to listen. You either do what I tell you, or you'll end up in a cage."

Ned froze, his eyes on Marrok's face.

"She wants to protect you from hurting yourself, and she doesn't understand that you don't need to be put in a cage. I told her you were smart enough not to do yourself damage." He grimaced. "And you promptly do something dumb. How can I help you if you-" He turned his head as he caught a brilliant flash out of the corner of his eye.

A flare lighting the darkness.

"Alive," he murmured. "Life, Ned. You found life up there. I told you that you'd do it." He turned and crossed back to the Lab. "They'll be bringing someone down soon. Because of you."

The dog was smiling. No one could convince Marrok that dogs didn't smile. He knew Ned did. There was an expression of eagerness and joy on the Lab's face, and he was looking out at the fading splendor of the flare as if he understood what it meant. Maybe he did. Ned understood what Marrok said. It could be that he was aware of more subtle meanings. Ned was always learning, always changing.

"Now are you satisfied? You found your survivor."

Ned was still staring raptly at the sky as if he could actually see that person, the life he'd saved.

Marrok could feel his throat tighten. "Crazy dog," he said thickly. His hand stroked Ned's throat. "Okay, you were right. It was worth coming here. Even if you managed to set us up for Danner." He drew a deep breath. "But now we have to wriggle out from under. And you have to help. You have to do exactly what I tell you. I'm going to stay with you until she comes back, but when I see her jeep in view, I'm gone." He had to talk fast, be very clear. It would be better if he switched to the language Ned had known since he was a puppy. "Listen carefully; I'll be back, but until…"

"IT'S A CHILD, NICK." DEVONjumped out of the jeep, excitement soaring through her. "A little girl not more than five. Her parents were dead, but the little girl is alive. She was unconscious and buried deep under the rocks. She's dehydrated, but the medics think there's a good chance she'll live. They're airlifting her out to a hospital in Caracas."

"And we didn't find her." Nick was shaking his head as he came down the steps of the trailer. "My God, I thought we were safe leaving that side of the mountain."

"So did I," she said wearily. "Who could know? We shifted that rubble a dozen times. None of the dogs thought there was anyone there. She was buried so deep her scent must have been almost obliterated." But Marrok's dog, Ned, had known she was there. Astonishing…

Marrok.

She turned and started for the first-aid tent. "I'll be back after I check on the Lab. Go back to bed. I just wanted to let you know. Let everyone know. It's been too long since we found a survivor."

"That's for damn sure." Nick turned. "It's too late to go back to bed. I'll throw some clothes on and give Gracie her breakfast."

He was right. The first light of dawn was breaking over the mountain. Too late to sleep. They had to finish up the last search, then get packed up. She should be tired, but she felt wide-awake and zinging with energy.

They had found a child.

After days of despair, a miracle had happened. She was so grateful that the Lab had found the little girl that she was even feeling charitable toward Marrok. Not that she wouldn't still have him investigated. The presence of the rescue teams had to be carefully monitored; otherwise, it would pose a danger to both the dogs and handlers. She could tell Marrok had experience in the field, and he should realize that. She believed him when he said he hadn't been looting on that mountain, but whatever reason he'd had, he should have-

He wasn't there.

She stopped in shock in the entrance of the tent.

Ned still lay on the table. He raised his head and whined softly as he saw her.

"How are you doing?" She crossed the tent. He seemed to be fine. Fully awake and alert and didn't seem to be in pain. "And where is your friend, Marrok? I need to talk to him."

Ned gave a low growl deep in his throat as if trying to tell her and nudged his head against her arm. She melted immediately. What a sweetheart.

She stroked his head. "You must have a great nose," she whispered. "You found a little girl tonight. Did you know that?"

He made a sound that resembled a half yodel, half bark. She would swear he was trying to answer her. She had not known a dog that tried so hard to communicate since her German shepherd, Tess, had passed away years ago. "Is that supposed to be a yes? I think it is. I used to feel as if my Tess could read my mind. But that's a bond that-" She broke off as she saw a piece of paper lying half-under Ned's body. "What the hell?"

She saw that her name was scrawled at the top of the page in bold dark script as she eased the sheet of paper from beneath the Lab. It was only a few lines.

I can't stay with Ned. Take him home with you, and I promise I'll pick him up as soon as I finish my business here. I've had a talk with him, and he won't be any trouble. I'd offer you money, but I know that won't work with you. You'll do it because you won't be able to leave him here hurt and with no one you regard as responsible enough to care for him .