Iris Johansen - Dark Summer

And to find Marrok and Ned.

That would give Marrok maybe two days tops to get to Devon Brady before Danner sent his vultures swooping. It would have to be enough.

No, it wouldn't. He had to make preparations. It was going to be a complicated extraction.

He reached for his phone to call Walt Franks to come and get him. After that, he'd phone Bridget Reardon and get her moving toward Devon's home outside Denver.

JANET MCDONALD WAS STANDING ONthe porch waiting for them when Nick and Devon drove the SUV through the gate and up to the rambling old farm house.

"She doesn't look very welcoming," Nick murmured. "Do you suppose we have a problem?"

"No more than usual." Devon waved at the housekeeper. She did not wave back. Janet seldom looked cheerful. She was a woman who'd lived a hard life, and her appearance reflected it. She was tall and strongly built, her red-gray hair cut short and her face generally without expression. "She probably missed us."

Nick gave a snort. "Yeah, sure. And pigs fly."

"People don't always show their feelings." Devon turned off the ignition. "Be quiet, Ned. Stop that racket you're making."

"What have you brought home this time?" Janet frowned as she came down the steps. "That's not Gracie I heard barking." She peered into the back of the SUV. "My God, another dog. I thought I was safe when you flew off to that island with Gracie. But, no, you bring me home another dog to take care of."

"Hush, Janet." Devon jumped out of the driver's seat and ran around to the back and opened the door. "His name is Ned, and he's hurt."

"They're all hurt or orphans or just plain crazy." She stood beside Devon. "Why was he barking?"

"I think he knew we were home. He's pretty smart."

"Pretty noisy." She reached out a hand and tentatively touched Ned's silky ears. He lifted his head and looked up at her and gave a crooning sound. "I can see how he'd get to a softy like you. What happened to him?"

"He was shot." She carefully lifted Ned out of the vehicle, carried him up the stairs to the porch, and put him on his feet. "I had to take a bullet out of him."

Janet scowled. "I hope you had whoever did it arrested."

"Didn't have the chance. But I imagine his own er may see to it. He wasn't pleased."

"He has an own er? Thank the Lord." She beamed down at the Lab. "No offense, pooch. But we have a few too many animals around here."

"If Devon decides to give him back," Nick said as he took out the suitcases. "She's not sure he's worthy of the dog."

"Not another one." Janet made a face. "If she's not sure, then we're probably stuck with him. It looks like Gracie's already adopted him."

Gracie was sitting beside Ned on the porch, every muscle of her lean, elegant body breathing maternal protectiveness.

"Where are the other dogs?" Devon asked. "Gracie needs to run and play and just be a dog again. She had a rough time on the island."

"They're down in the paddock teasing that donkey. Someday they're going to get kicked."

It was one of the pups' greatest joys to run back and forth on the other side of the fence trying to get a rise out of the donkey. "Casper will only threaten them. You know he likes the company. Go see Casper, Gracie."

The greyhound didn't move away from Ned.

"It's okay. We'll take care of him, Gracie."

"I'll take her down to the paddock." Nick whistled for Gracie, and she reluctantly got to her feet. "Come on, girl. You can play mother later. Devon thinks you need therapy."

"Devon is the one who needs therapy," Janet said dryly. "And you don't do anything to discourage her, Nick."

"No, I don't." Nick grinned. "She may be a little eccentric, but she keeps me young. She keeps you young, too, Janet. Admit it."

"I am young. I haven't turned sixty yet. I don't need to work my ass off taking care of critters to convince myself of that." Janet moved toward the door. "Supper will be ready in an hour. Feed the donkey, and bring up those dogs. I need a little help around here."

"Yes, ma'am." Nick disappeared around the corner of the house, with Gracie on his heels.

Janet was frowning down at Ned. "Shouldn't he be lying down? Why don't I take him in the kitchen and settle him on the dog bed? He won't get much chance when the other pups come up from the field."

"Ned can take care of himself." She tugged gently on his collar. "But that's a good idea. I'll give him some water and then I'll-"

"I said I'd do it." Janet strode into the house. "Come on, dog."

"Ned."

"Ned," Janet said, straight-faced. "Heaven forbid I be rude to the mutt."

She was joking. It was as much humor as Janet ever displayed. "Good. Ned is different. I think he's very sensitive."

"Then he'll probably be even crazier than the rest of them. I can't see why you keep bringing them home."

"They need help and give love," she said simply. "And when I give that help, it fills me with warmth. They touch my heart. I can't do anything else, Janet."

"I know you can't." She hesitated. "I've been getting a lot of hang-ups on the house phone since you've been gone. I think he's found out the new number."

Devon tensed. Oh Lord, she hoped not. "Not necessarily."

"Stop burying your head. It was the same the last time. It's him, all right." Janet's hands clenched into fists. "Men like him don't give up. They just keep on coming until you shoot the bastards. I should know. I was married to one for over twenty years."

"But you didn't shoot your husband."

"Only because you got me a fancy lawyer to have Chuck thrown into jail. Why can't you do the same with your husband?"

"He's not my husband. I told you I divorced Lester years ago," she said wearily. "And the situation is different."

"Yeah, he's a nutcase."

"A very smart nutcase. He's a police detective who knows how to work the system. I've only been able to get one restraining order on him since the divorce."

"Well, he'd better not come around here bothering you," Janet said fiercely. "I'll blow his nuts off."

"I don't think he'll be showing up on my doorstep. These days he limits himself to nuisance calls and making threats when he thinks I'm seeing other men."

"Fat chance of that," Janet said sourly. "You're so busy taking care of all those animals, you don't have time to do more than brush your teeth."

She smiled with an effort. "Well, I do manage a shower now and then. Don't worry, Janet. It may not be Lester. If it is, I'll handle it."

" We'll handle it," Janet said tersely. "Now you go lie down and get some rest. You look like you're ready to pass out. I'll call you when dinner is ready." She tapped Ned's collar. "Let's go. You don't need her. You got me."

Ned hesitated, studying Janet's face. Then he moved stiffly down the hall after her.

Maybe Ned was even more sensitive than Devon had thought. Perhaps he had been able to see beyond that brusque exterior. Janet did not have anything so clichéd as a heart of gold, but she was fair and hardworking, and though she would not admit it, she had a generous amount of the same maternal feeling as Gracie exhibited. Devon could not have asked for anyone more devoted or conscientious than Janet to take care of her animals.

Janet stuck her head outside the kitchen. "Scat."

"Right." Devon grinned and ran up the stairs to her room. She was tired, but it wasn't the kind of weariness that would be assuaged by an hour's nap. She'd take a shower and read her mail.

Should she disconnect the phone? The last thing she wanted was to have to deal with Lester tonight. She'd hoped by putting the new number in Nick's name that it would make it harder for Lester to get it. It had been a feeble attempt but all she could think to do. But the police could find out anything if they wanted to do it.