'She's certainly being overprotective of you. You'd think I was some kind of Typhoid Mary.'
'Did she scare you?'
'Of course not.' She wasn't telling the truth. The determination that Bridget had shown in trying to keep her away from Marrok had been disturbing. It was more chilling than the first time Bridget had told her about the danger surrounding her. It was somehow more real to her since Bridget was feeling strong enough about the premonition to act on it. 'I don't believe in fortune-tellers.'
'I didn't either until I met Bridget. It's strange, all the time I spent with Paco, I fought against believing in his so-called magic. I played his game, but I took everything with a grain of salt. Yet Bridget was different. Maybe because it couldn't be more clear that she didn't want it to be true.'
'That's not very comforting,' she said dryly.
'Bridget didn't actually say you were going to die.' His lips tightened. 'And it's not going to happen. I intend to make sure it doesn't.'
'I can take care of myself. I don't need you or Bridget.' She shook her head. 'For Pete's sake, drop it. I'm not going to fret about something this weird. Tell me about Wiley. Isn't that the dog we're going to pick up? He's the German shepherd, isn't he?'
'Yes.' He opened the helicopter door for her. 'You'll like Wiley. He's not easy. He'll be a challenge for you.'
'What do you mean?'
'He's always been a little standoffish. He doesn't trust easily. He was mistreated as a pup before Paco got hold of him.' He followed her into the aircraft. 'That's why I wanted you to meet him on his home turf with his guardian as a buffer.'
'Let's get out of here,' Walt said as he started the engine. 'Bridget is staring a hole in me. I'm going to hear about tattling to the boss.'
'Children tattle,' Marrok said. 'And I would have been most unhappy if you'd kept quiet.'
'That's what I figured.' Walt lifted off and headed west. 'It was only a case of deciding which one of you I wanted to piss off.'
Devon went back to the previous subject. 'Who is Wiley's guardian?'
'Sid Cadow,' Marrok said. 'He's an old rodeo rider. Tough as nails. Sid is almost as much a loner as Wiley. He's in his fifties and had almost all his bones broken at one time or another. He has no family and isn't sociable.'
'A strange choice for you to make.'
'I don't think so. They suit each other. Neither one of them is great on trust. But Sid loves that dog. It's probably the only thing he does love. I'd hate to be the man who tried to hurt Wiley.'
'And you're taking Wiley away from him?'
'He can come back to the ranch with us. It's his decision.'
'Where are we going?'
'He has a cabin in the hills in northern Arizona. But when I was a kid he had a place not too far from the reservation where I was born.' He added, 'As a matter of fact, he used to frequent the bar where I spent most of my time when I was in my teens. That's where I got to know him. He was as much a barroom brawler as I was and used to bust my chops regularly until I learned how he was doing it. Then we came to an understanding.'
'So you're friends?'
He shook his head. 'He and Wiley are friends. I just pay the bills and receive a certain toleration in return.'
'Does he know how special Wiley is?'
'Yes, I told him after he'd had Wiley a year. By that time I knew he wouldn't give up Wiley. I'm not sure he believed me. He does believe that Wiley may be in danger. I think I got that through to him.'
'And how is he going to take this move?'
'Not well. I called him and told him why I was coming. He told me to go to hell.'
'Not promising.'
'No. But we'll have to see, won't we?'
SID CADOW WAS STANDING AT THE door of his cabin, watching them come up the path. He was a huge man, with a shock of white hair and skin that looked like tanned leather. His expression was forbidding.
'I ain't going to let you take him,' he said flatly. 'No way.'
'He's going, Sid. You can come with him, or you can stay here, but Wiley is going to the ranch,' Marrok said. 'It's time we put an end to this hiding.'
'We're getting along just fine.' He looked at the black-and-tan German shepherd who was streaking around in circles with Ned. 'I take good care of him.'
'I know you do.'
'And if anyone came hunting for him, I'd shoot his nuts off.'
'He's going to the ranch,' Marrok said. 'His life's got to change now. If you're willing to change with him, I'll find a place for you.'
Devon could see the hackles rising on both men. Marrok wasn't handling Cadow right, dammit. Would it have hurt him to be a little more diplomatic?
'I don't need anyone finding a place for me. I get along.' He turned to Devon. 'Who is she?'
'A vet. Devon Brady. She's going to work with the dogs.'
'How do you do, Mr. Cadow?' Devon said. 'Wiley is a beautiful dog. And very fit. You must exercise him quite a bit.'
'We go for long walks in the hills,' Cadow said curtly. 'It's quiet. We both like quiet.' He called to Wiley, 'Stop that foolishness. You're acting like a pup.'
'That's not bad,' Devon said. 'He's obviously a very dignified dog. A little fun won't hurt him.'
'He remembers Ned from the Paco days,' Marrok said. 'I've seen them play like that for hours.'
'I play with him,' Cadow said defensively. 'He likes to play fetch with a stick.'
'Most German shepherds do,' Devon said. 'My dog, Tess, used to nag me for hours. She was black and tan, too. She was very, very smart and very loving.'
'She couldn't have been as smart as Wiley. I could tell you stories…'
'I bet you could,' Devon said. He didn't mention how loving Wiley could be. It would have been too personal. He was too prickly to let anyone that close. 'Does he swim? Tess could swim like an otter.'
'When I let him. The current in the river is pretty strong.' He scowled. 'Did you really have a German shepherd or are you giving me bull?'
'Yes, I had my Tess. Or maybe she had me. Sometimes I couldn't tell the difference.'
'Had? She died?'
'Yes. It broke my heart. I still miss her.' She looked him in the eye. 'But your Wiley has a chance of living for a long time. Don't be stupid and make him live it without you.'
'I won't. He ain't going.'
She made a motion as Marrok opened his mouth. 'You know better than that.'
'Because Marrok thinks Wiley belongs to him? He's my dog now.'
'He belongs to both of you. You've invested enough love to ensure that Wiley is at least part yours. But Marrok has a history with him, too. And, he's right, we can't hide him from Danner any longer. Now call him and tell him it's okay for him to go with us. I know he won't leave you unless you do.'
'You're damn right he won't.' Cadow hesitated. Then he whistled and called. 'Wiley.'
Wiley skidded to a stop and bounded toward Cadow. He sat down in front of him, his tongue lolling, panting.
'Told you he was smart,' Cadow said proudly. 'You ain't seen nothing.'
'Then come with us and show us what he can do.' Devon reached out and let Wiley sniff her hand before she put it gently on his head. He didn't move, but she could sense the caution ingrained in him. 'What a lovely boy, you are,' she said softly. 'Just like my Tess…'
'Sid?' Marrok asked.
Cadow hesitated before saying grudgingly. 'Maybe I'll let him go for a little while. As long as I'm there to take care of him.'
