Eve slowly pressed the disconnect. Lord, she wanted to be there with Jane. Toby was very important to her, and this might be a tragic ending for her old friend. Jane had grown up on the streets and in foster homes and had never allowed herself to trust anyone but Eve and Joe. The closest she had come was that zany half-wolf who had bounded into their hearts and lives and stayed there.
Until now.
Maybe it would be okay. Unlike Jane, Eve did believe in miracles. They weren’t always on the horizon, but there was a balance between horror and wonder. Miracles as well as disasters could happen. Sometimes it seemed impossible when you faced the tragedy of little boys like Ryan, but she had to believe because of Bonnie.
Bonnie, who had been taken from her in the most horrible way possible, kidnapped and dying when she was only seven. Yet she had been permitted to come back to comfort Eve and help her through life. Eve had first thought she was a dream, and only after years had she admitted that Bonnie was a spirit and accepted her presence in her life.
Accepted her with joy and gratitude.
Yes, there were miracles in this world.
Maybe Ryan would be someone’s miracle. “I hope so, Ryan.” She turned and picked up her cup of coffee. “I guess there’s no hurry about drinking this. Jane may be a few days. I’ll go out on the porch and sit down and enjoy the sunset.”
But the sun was already down when she went out on the porch. The dusk had fallen, and the lake looked silver-cold.
She shivered and took a sip of coffee.
It didn’t warm her.
She felt suddenly very alone. No Joe. No Jane.
She was being ridiculous. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t been alone before. So what if the only entity she had to talk with at the moment was the skull of a dead child?
She turned quickly and went back into the house and slammed the door and locked it. “I’m heading for a long, hot shower, Ryan. Then I’ll come out and pack you in your FedEx box to be picked up tomorrow. Joe should be calling soon, and I’ll have to tell him about poor Toby. I’m sorry Jane won’t get a chance to see you. She’s an artist, and she might have made a wonderful sketch of you that could have led to everyone’s knowing who you are. But we’ll get there anyway…”
CHAPTER
2
San Juan, Puerto Rico
“THE PLANE’S READY.”
Jane turned to see Seth Caleb coming toward her across the tarmac. His silver-threaded dark hair was ruffled by the wind and he was dressed in jeans and a leather flight jacket and he should have looked casual, even unobtrusive. But Caleb never appeared unobtrusive no matter what he wore. He was always high-impact. His high cheekbones and deep-set dark eyes drew the attention and kept it focused. He radiated magnetism and charisma that was impossible to ignore. “Good. Did you check on Toby?”
“Resting quietly.” He glanced at her phone. “How did Eve take the news? She loves Toby, too, doesn’t she?”
“Of course. She would have jumped on the next plane if I’d asked her. I told her to stay home, that I’d bring Toby to her.” Her hands clenched into fists at her sides. “And that’s what I’ll do. Just get me to that island.”
“Another hour and fifteen minutes,” Caleb said quietly. “But if the security on the island is as strict as you’ve told me, you’d better give Sarah Logan a call and tell her we’re on our way.”
“I will.” She climbed the steps of the Gulfstream jet. “I told Sarah that I’d be coming; I just didn’t tell her who was bringing me.”
His brows lifted. “But you told Eve, I assume? What did she say? Did she ask any questions? I can’t see her being comfortable with my having you in my clutches.”
“Don’t be absurd. I’m not in your clutches.”
“Only if you choose to be,” he said softly. “I promised you that a long time ago. But you’re understandably wary of me. I try to keep my word, but I have moments when the control slips.”
Jane had seen moments when that had happened, and it had frightened … and excited her. Neither response was wise to accept or encourage. Which was the reason she tried to keep her distance from Caleb. She had not seen him for almost a year before he had shown up in her apartment yesterday. “Stop this bullshit,” she said curtly. “I don’t want to deal with it right now. The only thing I want to think about is Toby.”
His smile faded. “I’ll back off. I know it’s not the time. I told you I slip occasionally. In spite of Eve’s suspicions about my wicked motives, I actually want to help you and Toby. I like your dog.”
She believed him. However, that didn’t mean that it was the entire truth. Seth Caleb had so many intricate facets to his character that he was like a juggler whose balls in the air could be pure gold or deepest ebony. “And I love him.” She fought to keep her voice steady. “Eve thought your sudden arrival on my doorstep was too convenient. I agree with her.”
“But you didn’t question me.”
“I didn’t care. You said you’d do anything I wanted to help Toby. You’re rich, you don’t care about dodging the law if it suits you, I could trust you if I handled you right. I didn’t have the money to rent a private jet myself.” She added baldly, “I needed you.”
“A circumstance much to be desired.” His tone was light. “So it was important that I continue it.”
“But now I’m going to ask you the question Eve would want me to ask. How did you know about Toby? I haven’t seen you in months.”
“I do hate to lose touch with people I care about.”
“Does that mean you’ve been watching me?”
“In a very safe, distant manner. How could I just walk away from you? You’re a very special woman, Jane. I know you find the thought of a relationship with me a little intimidating.”
“No way. Don’t flatter yourself.”
He smiled faintly. “You do, you know. I’m very encouraged by it. A little uncertainty can be intriguing. Don’t worry; I haven’t been lurking in the shadows. I’ve just been … waiting.” He stopped beside the stretcher where Toby lay and stroked the dog’s golden white muzzle. Toby’s tail wagged, but he didn’t open his eyes. “His spirit is still strong. He’s not going to leave you soon. I’ll get him there in time, Jane.”
“You’d better.” She knelt to stroke Toby. “I’m here, boy,” she said to him softly. “I’m taking you to see Monty and Maggie and some other dogs who may become your friends. You stay with me. Okay?”
Toby whimpered and tried to turn so that she could rub his belly.
“Buckle up, Jane.” Caleb went down the aisle toward the cockpit.
“I will.” Jane laid her cheek on Toby for a brief instant, then slipped into the seat across the aisle and fastened her seat belt. “Trust me, boy. We’ll get through this together.”
* * *
“I DON’T LIKE IT,” JOE SAID flatly when Eve finished speaking. “When will Jane be able to get there?”
“As soon as she can,” Eve said. “How do I know? Jane doesn’t have any idea what’s wrong with Toby or if he can be cured. She’ll let me know.”
Silence. “Maybe I’ll be able to leave after the testimony tomorrow. I could take the night coach out.”
“Not likely. Since when did court cases ever go the way you want them to go? You’ll have to stay for that cross-examination. Stop worrying about me, Joe.”
“I don’t like leaving you alone.”
“I’m fine.”
“Keep your phone by your bed, your gun on the nightstand, and be sure to put the alarm on.”
“The alarm is already on. I can take care of myself. Stop worrying. Now go to bed and get to sleep.”
Another silence. “Maybe you’re right. Logic is on your side. I don’t have any reason to go off the rails.”
“Absolutely right.”
“To hell with being right. I’m going to call and have a patrol car make a couple swings by the cottage tonight and tomorrow.”
“And what would the captain say? Personal
business.”
“I’ll pay someone off duty. Stop arguing.”
She chuckled. “You’re impossible.”
“I love you. Don’t go for any strolls. Don’t open the door without knowing who’s on the other side.”
“I have to call FedEx and send Ryan off to Bloomington.”
“Send him with one of the cops I arrange to do a pass by. As soon as I set up who it will be, I’ll call you and leave his name and cell-phone number. And I’ll call you first thing tomorrow morning.”
“Relax, Joe.” She paused. “You’re spooking me. I’ll be careful. When you get back, we’ll laugh about this.”
“Maybe. At the moment, I’m not amused.” He was silent. “Phone me when you hear more about Toby. I love that old guy.”
“Me, too. Jane’s not sure that she believes in miracles, but she’s hoping for one tonight. I’ll call as soon as I hear. I love you, Joe.” She hung up.
Joe was definitely overreacting. As an independent woman, she should feel a little insulted that he was being overprotective.
She was not insulted. When you loved someone, your instinct was to fight and cling to them against all odds … and logic.
And, as Joe said, to hell with being right or logical. Joe’s instincts had been honed in the most extreme classroom in the world when he was with the SEALs. He was not often wrong.
She would put her gun on the nightstand tonight.
Summer Island
10:05 P.M.
“WE HAVE COMPANY.” CALEB was glancing out the window as he left the cockpit. “And they look serious. I don’t think they’re the kindly vets you were expecting.”
“I told you to expect security. But there’s a van pulling up.” Jane frowned at the attractive, dark-haired young woman getting out of the vehicle. “That’s not Sarah Logan.”
“Let’s just hope that she has some authority.” He threw open the door, and the steps emerged. “Stay with Toby. Let me check it out.”
Before she could protest, he was down the steps and crossing the tarmac.
But the dark-haired woman was striding toward the plane and obviously giving orders to the two armed security guards who had gotten out of their jeep.
She pushed by Caleb and ran up the steps. “Jane MacGuire. I’m Dr. Devon Brady. Sarah got an emergency call from her husband right after she talked to you. She had to leave and go back to California. She asked me to take care of Toby.” She turned and yelled at the security men. “Come up and take this stretcher.”
“Wait a minute.” Jane had been expecting Sarah, and this was going too fast. She instinctively stood defensively in front of Toby. “What are your qualifications? How do I know you’re any better than that vet I left in London?”
“I have authority to run this facility. And you don’t know if I’m as good as that vet in London. I don’t know either. But I’m very good, and I care.” She looked Jane in the eye. “And we have a few rabbits in the hat here that they don’t have anywhere else. We might be able to pull one out for your Toby. Let me try. Your friend, Sarah, trusts me. That should count for something.”
“It counts for a hell of a lot.” She reached into her briefcase, pulled out a folder, and handed it to Devon Brady. “Here are his medical records.” She slowly moved from in front of the dog. “Toby’s breathing is shallower than when we left London.” She added unsteadily, “I’m scared, Dr. Brady.”
“Devon. I know you’re scared.” She was gesturing to the two security men who had entered the plane. “Take him to the lab. I’ve set up the tests.” She handed Jane a set of car keys. “I’ll go with your Toby and do an initial exam on the road. You and your pilot can follow in the security jeep.” She pushed by Caleb again as she ran back down the steps. “I’ll see you at the lab.”
“I’m feeling very unimportant and definitely brushed aside,” Caleb said ruefully as he fell into step with Jane as she started toward the jeep. “So much for taking care of the opposition. I take it you trust her?”
“Maybe. I think so. I don’t have much choice. Sarah is very smart, and anyone she hired would have to be exceptional.”
“Really? What do you know about this place?”
“I told you, it’s an experimental facility. It’s already been confirmed by several scientific studies that dogs have certain healing properties. That’s why they permit dogs to be taken to critically ill patients in hospitals. It’s not only psychological, though some critics claim that’s all it is. Well, Sarah became involved with a group that discovered that some dogs have a heightened ability in that area.”
“Why?”
She shrugged. “It’s a mystery. That’s why they started this experimental colony. Sarah says that they have a few theories, but they have to have cast-iron proof.”
“And those theories?”
“I didn’t ask her, and I don’t know if she’d tell me if I did. She’s very protective of her dogs.”
“But you’ve known her for years.”
“And she knows I’ve been skeptical. I have to have proof.” She started the jeep. “It’s my nature.”
“But you’re here now.” He smiled faintly. “An atheist in a foxhole?”
“I’m not an atheist, but I admit this is a terribly deep foxhole.” She blinked away the moisture in her eyes so that she could see the taillights ahead of her. “Did you know that Monty, Toby’s sire, was a search-and-rescue dog? He knew all about foxholes and earthquakes and mudslides. He saved my life once when I was a kid. He was the first dog I ever knew and cared about. Sarah knew I loved him, but he would never have left her. So she gave me his first pup, Toby.”
“A half-wolf? Not exactly a tame animal to give a little girl.”
“Toby has the heart of a golden. He was zany and a little clumsy and easily distracted, so he would never have made a rescue dog.” She cleared her throat. “But so much love. I’ve never known any creature that was so loving. Talk about healing? Just the love he gave could make my sadness and pain go away.” She swallowed. “There’s a building up ahead. That must be the lab.”
“Yes.” Caleb reached out and covered her hand resting on the steering wheel. “It will be all right. We’ll make it all right.”
“We don’t have much to say about it.” She pulled to a stop in front of the rambling one-story building. “Right now it’s up to that vet and God.”
Lake Cottage
Atlanta, Georgia
THUNDER …
It was raining hard, Eve realized as she turned over in bed to look at the clock.
One-forty in the morning.
She had drifted off to sleep about midnight, but it had been a restless slumber. The thunder must have woke her.
Go back to sleep.
She lay there for ten minutes, then sat up and swung her feet to the floor.
Get a glass of water and try again.
She stood at the bedroom window and watched the rain hitting against the windowpane as she drank the water. She always loved the sound of the rain on the roof and the lake. It was wild and yet strangely comforting. Usually, she went out on the porch and sat with the veil of rain surrounding her.
Not tonight.
This was good enough and she—
Headlights speared the darkness.
She tensed.
A car was coming down the lake road.
She set the glass down and stepped closer to the window.
Lightning flashed.
She released the breath she’d been holding.
Foolish. It was the patrol car Joe had set up to cruise by the cottage.
Poor guy, he probably hadn’t counted on driving through this awful rain. She’d have to find out with whom Joe had made the arrangement and make it up to him. But even if it wasn’t necessary, the sight of that patrol car did give her a feeling of comfort.
She went back to the bed and crawled under the covers. Jane must have arrived at the island, but Eve hadn’t heard from her yet. She hoped that was good and n
ot bad for Toby. She remembered how Toby had tried to crawl up on Jane’s bed during a thunderstorm when he was a puppy. How many times had Eve come into Jane’s room to see them curled up together? She had always turned a blind eye. She had just been glad Jane had formed an attachment that could not hurt her and only be healthy. She’d always been so alone …
Get well, Toby. God, don’t let her lose him yet.
* * *
SHE HAD GONE BACK TO BED, Doane thought as he took the earphone out of his ear. It was clear Eve Duncan was restless from the movements he had heard in the cottage.
Why not? A woman who dealt with the dead would naturally be highly sensitive.
Do you feel me out here, Eve?
Or are you worried about your Jane? She had talked to Jane MacGuire a few hours ago, and the affection between them was very obvious. Affection and a protective bond that was as clear as sunlight. He had been right to take measures to remove Jane MacGuire.
He had enough problems with trying to avoid that patrol car that was making rounds. He had thought Venable was responsible for that before he’d monitored the call between Joe Quinn and Eve earlier. Of course, Venable could still have done something to trigger Quinn’s concern.
“Difficulties, Kevin,” he whispered. She’s not as alone and fragile as I thought. I expected it to be easier. I planned it so well. Just the way we did when you were alive.
He looked up at the window of Eve’s bedroom. The rain was striking the sheet of glass between them. She didn’t realize how vulnerable she was as she lay in that bed.
Not yet.
Sleep well, Eve. I’ll get back to you.
I have things to do.
* * *
JANE STRAIGHTENED AS DEVON BRADY came into the small waiting room at the lab facility. It had been over an hour since the vet had taken Toby into the examination room and told them she’d get back with a report as soon as she could. “Is he okay? What can you do for him?”
“No, he’s not okay,” Devon said gently. “He’s failing. I think you know that’s true.”