Dark Summer

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.

Enright moistened his lips. 'You could be lying. How do I know that would be possible?'

'I spent a pleasant six months there several years ago. It was very entertaining… for me.'

'And the woman?'

'It wasn't a woman. I took a young boy who had been stupid enough to be unfaithful to me. He was truly a beautiful young man when he arrived, but that didn't last long.'

'Why are you telling me this?'

'It's quite safe, you could never prove it. And I want you to know how much alike we are. The moment I saw you on CNN, I knew that you'd like my house in Nigeria. It's perfect for you and your Devon Brady.' He smiled. 'I can see the offer excites you. Why not? It's what you've wanted all along, isn't it?'

Enright slowly nodded.

Danner waited, giving him the chance to come the rest of the way himself.

Enright leaned forward. 'What do I have to do?'

CHAPTER 12

DEVON'S EXPRESSION WAS CALM, almost serene, Marrok thought as he watched her walk toward Sarah's helicopter pad. She was evidently content with Sarah's decision to accept her into her house hold. Why not? Sarah would be as protective as a mother hen, and this house was a dream dwelling.

'All set?' He opened the door of the helicopter. 'You took longer than I thought. Were you catching up on old times with Sarah?'

'No, I didn't know her that well. She had to go to make a telephone call, and I spent a little time with the dogs.' She got into the helicopter followed by Ned. 'But I like Sarah very much.'

'So do I.' He climbed in and fastened his seat belt. 'She's genuine and always tells you exactly what she thinks. Let's go, Walt.'

'On our way,' Walt said.

'Then I imagine she told you enough to burn your ears, Marrok,' Devon said. 'She wasn't pleased with you.'

'That seems to be the consensus around here.'

'You can't just go bulldozing your way through people's lives and expect them not to resent it.'

He frowned. 'I didn't bulldoze. I just wasn't totally honest. She had a choice.' He paused. 'Not like you.'

'I had a choice. I could have left Ned. And you were honest… as far as it went. But dammit, it didn't go far enough.'

'So I'm not perfect. I told you to walk in my shoes before you judged me.'

'Yes, you did.' She turned to look at him. 'Which was the worst bullshit of all. I have no intention of either walking in your shoes or trailing after you.'

'No, that won't be an option. You'll be out of it staying with Sarah.'

'Out of it,' she repeated. 'There's no way I could be out of it. It's too late for me.' She reached down and stroked Ned's head. 'Just like it's too late for you, boy.'

Marrok gazed at her warily. 'What are you talking about? If you stay with Sarah, you'll be safe.'

'I imagine I would be.'

He was silent, attempting to read her expression. 'What are you trying to say?'

'I'm not trying, I'm saying it,' she said coolly. 'No deceptions, no beating around the bush. I'm not surprised you can't recognize it. Oh, yes, frankness is totally foreign to you.'

'Devon.'

'I'm not going to stay with Sarah. We're going to take Nick and Janet to her place and leave them. Then I'm going to go back to the ranch with you.'

'What?'

'Oh, don't be worried. I'm not throwing myself at you like those town girls you told me about.'

Walt made an indistinguishable sound somewhere between a gulp and a chuckle.

Marrok gave him an annoyed glance before turning back to Devon. 'I didn't think you were. It's clear that's not what this is about. Your attitude is less than warm. Why aren't you going to stay with Sarah? Did she say anything to offend you?'

'She said a lot but none of it was offensive. How could it be? We think alike.'

'Then for God's sake, will you explain?'

She met his gaze. 'I'm not leaving until this is over. Until the dogs are safe.'

He muttered a curse. 'Yes, you will. You'll go where you'll be safe. This isn't your battle, remember?'

'It wasn't to begin with, but it is now. I was sitting in the grass with Sarah and listening to her talk about Monty and how keeping him alive and well was worth the sacrifice, worth the battle. Because that's what love's all about, that's what life's about. And after she left me, it came to me that she might have been voicing what I've been feeling all my life.' She gazed out the window. 'I've been working since I was a teenager to keep animals well and happy, I've been fighting abuse, I've been working with rescue dogs to find and save men, women, and children. When I think about shi'i'go, it's as if it blends all of those parts of my life into one.'

He stared at her in frustration. 'My God, you've gone idealistic.'

'Don't sound so horrified.' She turned back to him. 'Another concept that's foreign to you? I promise I won't let it get in your way.'

'And I promise I won't let it kill you,' he said grimly. 'Because you're going back to Sarah's place.'

'No,' she said coolly. 'Hell, no. I'm going to make sure that your dogs are kept alive.'