Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

ALARIE MANOR

FIVE DAYS LATER

"You're awake again? Thank heavens. That dog of yours has been driving me crazy. Want some water?" The red-haired teenage girl wearing jodhpurs and a suede vest was sitting in the chair beside Kira's bed and was holding a crystal glass to Kira's lips for her to sip. Then she snapped her fingers. "Come on, Mack. She's back with us again."

"Mack…" The golden retriever jumped on Kira's bed and cuddled closer to her, making whimpering noises.

She gave him a relieved hug as she realized how well and blessedly alive he was looking. "How is he?" Kira was frantically examining Mack's bandages more closely as she spoke. "He was hurt, but he looks… okay now?"

"Better than you." The girl made a face. "You had a bad fever that kept flaring up even after the wound in your shoulder was almost healed. Harlan raised hell with your physician because he was worried about it. But you're both on the way back now. Harlan wouldn't have it any other way. He said he made you a promise. By the way, I'm Fiona, Harlan's niece." She grinned. "Mack has kind of adopted me in the days since Harlan assigned me to take care of you. Harlan's been busy searching for that scumbag Joseph Taylor after he escaped from Colorado. At first your snooty dog wouldn't have anything to do with me, but then he decided to give me a break and we came to an understanding. Of course, he was positively crazy about Harlan. But I guess Mack decided that you needed someone to keep watch on you if Harlan wasn't there to keep you company any longer."

"Keep me company?" Kira lifted her hand to her temple. "Where the hell am I?" She was looking around the chamber, taking in all the luxurious furnishings and antiques surrounding her and trying to put the pieces together. The room was all comfort and luxury. In the alcove within the far wall, she saw a group of several sketches of magnificent horses that appeared so real, she felt as if she could reach out and stroke them. There was also a sketch of a man whom she recognized all too well. Those glittering green eyes, that hard yet expressive face. "I… suppose this has to be one of Jack Harlan's houses if he was giving orders about Mack."

"Of course it is." Fiona's gaze followed Kira's to the sketch. "Do you like my sketches? People are much harder than my horses. But I thought I drew Harlan well."

"It's very good. Completely recognizable."

"He wouldn't let me touch Mack for the first couple of days you were under a doctor's care. After you left the hospital, you were brought here to the manor and he imported one of the vets who generally takes care of my horses to live here and watch over Mack." She shrugged. "Otherwise Harlan himself was in here and took care of both of you."

"Wait a minute," Kira said. "You're going too fast. Where is this manor?"

"It's a castle in northern France. Not too far from Paris. It's where we live when Harlan is overseeing his factories in Europe."

"Factories for what?"

"He's invented a lot of things. Phones, satellites, cars… all kinds of stuff."

"Okay, another question," Kira said. "Harlan took care of me? Why would he do that?"

Fiona frowned. "You don't remember?"

"I don't think…" But she did remember… or at least some of it was coming back. She recalled desperately fighting with Taylor and that bastard shooting Mack. Not… much more. Everything else was blurred. Maybe Harlan bringing Mack to lie on the ground beside her as he tried to stop her bleeding and him yelling at her to be quiet and let him work. "I guess all I really remember is that I told him he had to take care of Mack. You're sure Mack is going to be all right?"

Fiona nodded. "So the vet told Harlan. Final checkup tomorrow." She added caustically, "It would have been nice if you could have brought yourself to have worried a little about Harlan. I approve of treating animals well, but from what Belson told me, you caused Harlan a good deal of trouble in those mountains. He could have died before he got you and Mack out of there."

"We both could have died," Kira said dully. "Taylor had a rifle, and someone may have even shot at me from the helicopter." She rubbed her temple again. "I don't remember much about it, but I probably owe Harlan a debt. I'll have to repay him. He did do what I asked…"

"Isn't that great?" Fiona's voice was dripping with sarcasm. "He practically saved your life and Mack's. What about all the time and effort he spent getting both of you well here at the manor?" The young girl's voice was laden with bitterness. "Doesn't that count for anything?"

"Of course it does," Kira said quickly. "But he shouldn't have done it. He should have just shipped me home to Summer Island and not bothered with me. I only asked him to take care of Mack."

"He did take care of him, and he took fantastic care of you. Because that's what he does. Harlan always takes care of his responsibilities." She smiled ruefully. "Who should know better than me? He's been taking care of me since my father died. Maybe someday I'll tell you about it." Fiona shook her head. "But this might not be the time. And I might not be the person. I tend to get annoyed if anyone fails to appreciate Harlan when he does something for them. And since Belson said that Harlan could have died before he got you away from that creep in Colorado, I believe I should have Belson tell you about it." She shrugged. "Never mind. What do you care? You don't know him at all."

Kira tried to be polite. "I didn't mean to be rude. I'm just bewildered and a little confused. I'm sure I also owe a debt to you for taking care of Mack, and I'll try to repay you."

Fiona whirled to face her. "I don't want your thanks. It's Harlan who did everything for you. Why can't you get that through your head? See that you make it right with him ! Harlan's the one who makes our world go around here." Fiona's voice took on an edge. "He saved your life, dammit." She put Mack's collar on him as she spoke and was heading for the bedroom door. "It's time I took Mack for his afternoon walk. You should probably rest right now. I'll call Harlan and tell him that you're awake. He'll want to know. He was truly concerned about you."

Kira flinched as the door slammed behind Fiona.

Well, that had not gone well, she thought wryly. She'd been a trifle woozy and had not been able to remember much about what had happened, plus the girl's resentment had been crystal-clear. The best thing Kira could think to do was to get out of this fancy manor house and find a way back to Summer Island where she belonged. To accomplish that probably meant making contact with Harlan or one of his employees. Definitely not Harlan's niece, whom she would try to avoid until she could get out of the Harlan domain.

So get dressed, get out, and get transportation home.

But first she had to go find Mack, make certain she'd been told the truth about his condition, and get him ready to leave with her. Neither of them belonged here. If she had to, she could put him in her own vet's quarters when she got back to the island. But Mack had willingly, even eagerly, gone with Fiona when she'd leashed him for his walk, Kira remembered. He must have liked her—Mack was very picky about companions of any sort. So apparently he had truly been happy with Harlan's niece while he was here. That was good to know.

And perhaps Harlan had been a little more than a glorified dog-sitter, too, she thought wryly. But that was another mystery that would have to be solved later.

Take it easy. You're going to be fine. I'll make sure to keep you safe. No one is going to hurt you again. Trust me… That voice was clearly repeating in her head.

She did have a vague memory of someone holding her hand in the night, even rocking her when she was burning with fever or the pain was bad. She couldn't seem to forget it.

Still, Kira was definitely not welcome here and it was time for her to make her exit. She waited for only one more minute to pass before she tossed the quilt covering her aside and started to go through the drawers of the oak bureau for something to wear. In a few minutes, she'd found a loose shirt and slacks and a pair of tennis shoes. This would be all right for now. She would bathe and go find Belson; maybe later she'd find Harlan, after she was at least semi-presentable.

But things didn't turn out to be quite that simple. She was halfway down the grand staircase leading to the foyer when she had to stop a moment and grab hold of the banister to keep from falling.

"Shit!"

She recognized that voice instantly.

Jack Harlan!

He was behind her on the stairs and swearing softly as he turned her around and half lifted, half carried her down the rest of the stairs toward a huge open study adjoining the living room. He sat her down on a couch. "Fiona said she thought you were upset," he muttered. "But being Fiona, she sometimes interprets her own feelings as belonging to others. Evidently, she was right this time."

"I wasn't upset." Kira was trying to push herself away from him. "I was just confused and wanted to make sure I knew everything that had happened after I passed out on those cliffs that night." She moistened her lips. "And particularly what had happened to Joseph Taylor. Your Fiona didn't seem to want to give me details."

"So you decided to find out for yourself?" Harlan asked. "Did you come looking for me? If so, did it occur to you that it wouldn't have helped if you'd ended up in a heap at the foot of these stairs? I would have told you everything you needed to know if you'd given me the chance. The doctor said you might not be in good enough shape to face whatever trauma you might have to go through after you regained consciousness. He said to give you another week or two to rest."

"Bullshit," Kira said bluntly as she finally managed to pull away from him. "I've always been very strong. I don't need to be coddled. Fiona told me the doctor said both Mack and I were on the mend, and all I really needed to know was that Mack was well and strong. The rest I can find out for myself after I get back to Summer Island. Since I'm obviously a bother to you and your family under the circumstances, it's best that I leave here as soon as possible."

"Perhaps that's not exactly all you need to know," he said. "There are a few more items that might be important for me to bring to your attention. You mentioned Taylor specifically as a concern." He added grimly, "As well you might. I was so busy trying to keep you and Mack alive that night on the cliffs, I let Taylor and his pet thug Donovan slip away from me. I almost had him and then the son of a bitch was gone."

"No wonder you're so angry with me," Kira whispered. "I not only got in your way but kept you from getting Taylor, too, after all your years of hunting him down. But I'll make it up to you. I have every intention of going after Taylor as soon as I get the clearance from the doctor. I'll make certain that I capture him and turn him over to the authorities. He won't get away again."

"No second thoughts?" Harlan asked.

"He tried to kill my dog," she said coldly. "He would have butchered Mack if he'd had his way. Mack wouldn't have stood a chance. I'll let the authorities deal with him. If I have my way, they'll lock Taylor in a bulletproof prison and throw away the key."

"How very ruthless of you," Harlan said mockingly. "No more tough cop on the beat?"

"Mack saves lives. That's tough enough. He deserves having me to protect him and guard his interests." She grimaced. "Which I didn't do this time. I made mistakes. That will never happen again."

Harlan was silent for a moment, staring at her. "Really? You may not have a choice," he said. "It appears that you may be a prime target. Taylor is a bit irate with you, I understand."

She stiffened as she slowly got to her feet. "What are you saying?"

"Exactly what you think. It seems that as soon as Taylor escaped Colorado, he started to track you down. It didn't take him long to find out I'd brought you here. He began to write you cozy little notes in care of the manor telling you all the things he's going to do to you when he gets the chance. Very ugly notes."

Kira could imagine how ugly. "It doesn't surprise me. He gave me a verbal preview of what he'd like to do to me before I jumped him to get the rifle." She stared him in the eye. "I want to see those notes."

"You will. I'm not hiding anything from you from now on. It will be your choice. But you should sit down and have a little nourishment before you make that decision. You're just out of bed and it won't hurt to take it easy for a while. Will you go into the study and relax while I call the cook and order your dinner? You're not going anywhere until we've had a discussion. There are things you need to know, and I don't want a repeat of Colorado in any shape or form. I don't believe you do, either."

"There won't be a repeat." She was nibbling at her lower lip. "I made a mistake, and I don't usually do that. I had no idea he'd zero in on Mack instead of me. No one has ever done that. You made no mistakes, and I regret that I wasn't able to bring Taylor to the authorities as I promised. But it happened and I won't let it happen again. Just let me go back to Summer Island and I'll bring Taylor in as I promised."

"No way on earth," Harlan said as he shook his head. "Not until after dinner and we've come to an agreement. I wasn't pleased about having to bring you here and having to explain not only to the governor but also to my old friend John Logan why you were almost a dead woman before I could yank you out of there. John happens to trust me, and Belson told him I'd take care of you."

"You shouldn't have done that," she said curtly. "I always take care of myself. I even told Sarah that you were to have nothing to do with my tracking Taylor."

"Too bad. You also told Belson and left that message for me, but once I'd made the decision to use you, I had to go through with it. Even you must have heard that Taylor killed my brother. He has to belong to me. There's no question about it." His lips twisted savagely for an instant before he regained total composure. "So there's no way I'll let you go after him without me."

"Use me?" Kira repeated through set teeth. "No one uses me, Harlan. I thought I'd made that clear."

"Really?" Harlan echoed. "What about Taylor? I believe he has every intention of using you. And I might be the only one who can stop him. Because I'm the only one who wants him bad enough to make sure I'll do anything to get my hands on him." He gestured toward the library door. "I'm going to order your dinner, and it should be here in the next thirty minutes. I'll leave your notes from Taylor here in the office for you to read if you choose. But I wouldn't advise it. It won't be pleasant and might even upset your stomach and ruin your dinner. Just know that whatever he threatens, I won't let it happen. If you stand by me and help me take him down, I promise he won't touch you or yours."

"What are you saying?" Kira's hands clenched into fists at her sides. "I told you I take care of myself."

"Taylor has access to some formidable resources."

"So do I, when the occasion demands it. But Mack and I are usually all it takes."

"And I told you that I find that unacceptable." He gave a slightly mocking sigh. "It seems I've became accustomed to taking care of you during the last few days. After reading the very poisonous notes he sent, it appears he regards you almost as an adopted member of my family now. That means you're an automatic target in his eyes." He paused. "And I take care of my own, Kira."

She shook her head incredulously. "Ridiculous."

He shrugged. "Perhaps. However, I won't have Taylor getting in my way in any shape or form. That includes any future plans he has for you." Harlan opened the library door for her and gestured for her to enter. "Just rest, have dinner, and later you can read all Taylor's notes in my desk. Then we'll discuss any plans we might have for any future action."

"You're not listening. I have no plans that involve you."

"I believe you will after you read those notes. You might be stubborn, but you're also very clever, as I found out following you through those mountains. You'll do what's best for you and the people you care about."

The library door shut behind him.

Kira hesitated and then slowly entered the library and headed for the desk across the room. She needed at least a few minutes to recover her strength while she could be alone and brace herself for whatever she had to do next. That encounter with Harlan hadn't been easy despite her assertions. She was feeling infinitely weary after dealing with Harlan and his niece today, but she knew she should probably sit and read the notes in the desk. Harlan's attitude had been a little forceful as well as intimidating, and she had to realize she wasn't quite sure what he had meant by it. He had never tried to intimidate her before, when they were at odds hunting for Taylor. They had only been foes going after a common enemy. He'd annoyed her, but he hadn't tried to frighten her. This might be different. What was the reason he'd changed tactics? Did he think Taylor's letters would frighten her?

Oh, what the hell. She knew what monsters could be like. Face Taylor and get it over with. She sat down at the desk, opened the middle drawer, and pulled out the collection of notes.

She picked up the first one and slowly opened it.

The first sentence caught her eye and caused her to stiffen.

Dear God! Sarah?

She felt her stomach wrench as she started reading. By the time she finished the third letter, she felt the nausea beginning again and she had to stop for a few moments. Damn Taylor. Damn him. Damn him. She was shaking by the time she finished the fourth letter, but she still had three to go.

"You're reading those hideous letters?" Kira looked up to see Fiona standing at the study door holding Mack's leash. She was gazing in horror at the tears running down Kira's cheeks. "Stop it! Do you hear me?" She ran across the room and deliberately threw her jacket over the letters on the desk. "I was afraid that you might get hold of them. That's why I ran back down here when I found out you'd left your room. I knew I shouldn't have lost my temper. Harlan always says I don't know when to keep my mouth shut. But I never meant to let you see those letters. Harlan didn't even want me to see them." Tears suddenly poured down Fiona's own cheeks. "But when Belson told me how Harlan had saved you, I wanted to find out what kind of monster Taylor really was. He killed my father, you know. People whispered about him around me, but Harlan wouldn't talk about him to me." Her trembling hand shoved the letters roughly aside. "And I found out, didn't I? But I never meant for you to see them when I read all those ugly threats to you."

"Not only to me." Kira was trying to keep her voice from shaking. "I could have stood that, but what he said he was going to do to the people I cared about to punish me… that was horrible. I wanted to run and stop him." She drew a deep breath. "And I will. It will just take time. It only hurt so much at first because of the shock. I don't have that many friends, but those I do have, I try to keep and cherish. Taylor seems to have found out the names or addresses of most of them."

Fiona nodded. "And it was my fault you found out. I had no business interfering in anything he says or does when he's always so good to me."

Kira shook her head. "It's not all your fault. You were just trying to protect him, weren't you? He shouldn't have kept those letters where you could find them. He should have realized you'd be curious."

"You're being very generous," Fiona said. "I don't deserve it. But he would have trusted me not to go through his desk and intercept this garbage. I'd never done it before."

"There's always a first time, Fiona," Harlan said coldly from the doorway. "And evidently you picked a hideous time to choose to do it." His gaze was fastened on the notes scattered on the top of the desk and then to Kira's tear-wet face. "I was going to leave the choice to her whether or not she wanted to read his poison pen letters."

"I'm sorry," Fiona whispered as she ran across the study and into his arms. "I shouldn't have done it, Harlan. I was mad at her because Belson had told me how she'd treated you on the mountain. He said Taylor might have even managed to kill you while you were trying to save her. But then it was too late when I ran after her because I remembered she might stumble across those blasted letters. She'd already started to read them by then."

"Did you actually believe I couldn't take care of myself?" Harlan asked wearily. "Haven't I taken care of you during all these years? I don't think you've had any complaints. Right?"

"You know I haven't." Fiona buried her face in his shoulder. "I promise it won't happen again." She lifted her head and gazed across the room at Kira. "I apologize. And if there's any way I can make things right, tell me."

"There isn't. You've already made things right," Kira said. "You took care of my dog when he was ill. Both Mack and I are very grateful."

"No, that was really Harlan," Fiona said. "I just filled in now and then. However, now I have to pay my dues." She gave Harlan a hug and headed for the door. "But he'll give me my marching orders, won't you, Harlan?"

"It depends on whether Kira decides you're worth the bother."

"I will be. Let me know when and where I can help."

As the door closed behind her, Harlan started across the study toward the desk. "Sorry about that." He gestured toward the notes scattered on the desktop. "I really did want to give you a choice whether you read Taylor's nasty little missiles."

"And they were nasty," Kira said. "I wasn't sure when you left me." She shuddered. "But I had to find out. Then when I read what Taylor had written, I went into a form of shock. It was even uglier than I dreamed."

"It was exactly what he wanted you to feel," Harlan said grimly. "Every word. Every act he intended to commit. Don't think he wasn't sincere."

"I won't. I can't afford to let anything happen to my friends, and most of those letters were aimed at them. The first thing I have to do is make certain that I can keep Sarah and John safe from him."

"I can help make sure they will be taken care of. I have quite a few people on the payroll who will keep them from being victims of Taylor and company."

"I'd rather do it myself," Kira said bitterly. "But it's not only friends and other people I care about whom he could be targeting. There have been wild rumors floating around lately that I located another sunken treasure several months ago off Egypt's north coast. He mentioned that he was going to force me to tell him where it was located when I was fighting with him on the cliffs. He said that again in one of these letters." Then her lips tightened. "There's no way I'd ever let him get his hands on that or any other treasure. It would make him far too powerful. No one would be able to tolerate what he'd do to everyone around him." She glanced at him again. "But you knew about the treasure, didn't you?"

He nodded. "I couldn't help but be aware of it from those letters. Plus, the media did a hell of a lot of coverage on that Spanish medallion treasure you located in the Caribbean last year. It was in all the magazines Belson threw at me to lure me to hire you. There was one article that particularly intrigued him. I imagine the treasure hunters who have been chasing after you over the years have been giving you a rough time?"

She shrugged. "Treasure hunting is more a hobby to me than anything else at the moment. Exciting, but my prime interest is my work with the dogs plus my work on age extension. That's my prime job and vocation." Her lips tightened. "But there's no way I'll let Taylor get near anything he wants ever again."

"I'll start working on that right away," Harlan said lightly. "I can hardly wait."

"I haven't promised you anything," Kira said. "Not yet."

"But I have high hopes." Harlan held her chair for her. "And now sit down. We'll have dinner and then talk. Okay?"

"Maybe."

"All you have to know is that I'll keep your friends and mine safe and then we'll find a way to bring Taylor down. Deal?"

"We'll talk about it."

"I regard that as an affirmative."

"Regard it how you like. It will be what it will be." She spread her napkin on her lap. "And what I choose it to be." She looked at him across the table. "But I do wish to tell you that I appreciate how you saved Mack. I'll never forget it."

He smiled ruefully. "Even though my niece has been a bit… troublesome?"

She shrugged. "She must care a great deal for you if she was ready to attack me when she thought that I might have caused you to be injured. And she let me know how sorry she was when she realized how much those letters hurt me."

"She's a good girl… most of the time." He added affectionately, "She's had only me around for most of her life. Her mother died in a car accident when she was just a baby. And she's gone through a good deal since her father, Colin, was murdered by Taylor. I'm probably not the best substitute she could have, but I do my best. And if she said she'll make it up to you, it will happen."

"If you tell her that's what you want?"

"Maybe. But she'd do it anyway. She's only fifteen, but you'll find she can be amazingly mature if her emotions aren't actively involved. She's a great equestrian, and I've supplied her with a number of horses she adores. She won two medals at the Olympics last year, and I was very proud. Either way, I always know where she's coming from." He put sliced turkey roulade on Kira's plate before adding some Parmesan-roasted vegetables and handing it to her. "Understanding can move mountains. That's what we need to get us through this, Kira."

She didn't answer, just began to eat her dinner.

"Kira?" He was staring curiously at her. "What the devil are you thinking? Sometimes I can't make you out."

She looked back at him. What was she thinking? That he was complicated, and she didn't know quite what to do or where to go with him. That now that he was smiling, he was everything intelligent and powerful that spoke of intensity and appeal. But she couldn't let him see the effect he was having on her. She lifted her chin defiantly. "I was thinking that you're used to getting what you want from almost everyone."

He nodded. "Frequently. But it's principally because I work very hard to go after it. And I'm always willing to make certain that my partners aren't cheated and get what they want as well." His voice lowered. "You'll find that out, Kira."

"Will I? You might be right. We'll have to see." She changed the subject. "This is a very good meal, by the way."

"I'll tell the cook. She'll be pleased."

"But you should realize that I'm not accustomed to meals like this. I usually eat very simply." She added, "I'm used to getting what I want, too, and I don't cheat. But that doesn't matter. Because I also work hard, and I've found good things usually just come to me if I do."

"I don't doubt it." He was grinning. "I watched you go after what you wanted in the mountains. You're quite incredible. One of the best trackers I've ever seen. Now finish your meal and we'll go have a glass of wine and talk. Okay?"

She shook her head. "I've had enough. And I'm still not certain I don't want to just walk out of here."

"Let's see… how could I make you want to stay? Tell me and I'll give it to you. I believe there's one thing I've got on my side." He got to his feet, took her hand, and led her to the chair beside the fireplace. "You want to keep yourself and your friends safe. I've already promised that. Do you think I'd betray you?"

She stared at him a moment and then shook her head. "You promised to help Mack, and you did it. Fiona said you saved me, too." Kira made a face. "She was angry with me for not worshipping humbly at your feet."

"Humbly?" He threw back his head and laughed. "She would have been amused if she'd heard some of our conversations. Nothing humble about you, Kira."

"Nor you." She sipped her wine and reached over to pet Mack, who had just come into the room. "And I admit I don't like feeling as if I owe you some kind of debt. It pisses me off."

"How ungenerous of you." He tilted his head. "Though I'd be glad to let you repay me any way you'd like."

"Ugh." She wrinkled her nose. "It would be even worse with it hanging over me."

His lips were twitching. "I thought so. Then name your terms. I'm sure you'll be able to tell me how I can best please you. Since you appear to be averse to letting me murder that son of a bitch." He snapped his fingers. "Though you sounded more promising when you were talking about throwing him into prison without a key. I admit that encouraged me."

"I don't like murder."

"Nor do I," Harlan said. "That's why I've been hunting Taylor down all these years." He waved his hand. "But I believe that the problem is going to solve itself. Not as satisfying, and not to my liking, but I suppose I can't have everything."

She was frowning. "What are you saying?"

"That Taylor is going to take it out of our hands," he said simply. "I don't believe anyone is going to take the option away from him no matter what we do. I've never seen more violent and poisonous thoughts than in his letters. If I felt that way, what must you have gone through reading them?"

"Sick to my stomach."

He nodded. "That was obvious. Anyone who helps me becomes an immediate enemy of his, and for that I'm sorry. That makes your safety my responsibility. But his threats come with a definite advantage for us."

"Advantage?"

"I guarantee he'll try to make every one of those promises he made come true. All we have to do is sit and wait for him."

"And if I don't choose to do that?"

"Then you'll run the risk of getting people you care about killed. He'll go after them. The best place for them is right here where I can keep them safe."

"You can try," she said bitterly. "But your best may not be good enough."

"Check with the local police or military officials. They know I've made certain to keep this property and the people on it safe for years. I'm telling you the truth. As for Summer Island, I'll send out teams to watch over all your friends." He paused. "Until you have some faith in me."

She shook her head. "That might take a long time. I'm not a very trusting soul."

"Will you give me a week in which to get to know me? You should allow yourself that amount of time anyway to rest and get a final okay from your physician. After all, you didn't object when I suggested we do it for Mack. Then can we talk again?"

She was silent. "I'll think about it."

He gave a low whistle. "Okay, three days. You're one tough lady."

She smiled faintly. "It's how I make my living."

He nodded. "I promise I'll bring my vet back first thing tomorrow morning to give Mack his final walking papers. I suppose you'll want to take care of him yourself from now on?"

"Of course."

"He's a good boy. Fiona and I both enjoy him."

"Naturally. He's a wonder. Ask anyone." She watched him put the collar on Mack's neck. "He likes you." She smiled faintly. "He has good taste. You might not be so bad after all."

"He'd better approve of me after what he put me through," Harlan said lightly. "And I have a favor to ask while you're still here at the property."

She stiffened. "A favor?"

"If you decide to go away, all I ask is that you let me know when you're going to leave her."

"Her?"

"Fiona. I know she may not be your favorite person, but she'll probably be hanging around you and trying to make up for being a pain in the ass. I'd appreciate it if you'd keep an eye on her and let me know if there's anything wonky going on."

"Wonky?"

"Heartbreak, kidnapping, murder, et cetera, and so forth."

Her eyes narrowed on his face. "I take it that Fiona is also a target?"

"Her father was killed when she was only seven," Harlan said. "Naturally, I have her watched like a hawk, particularly when she's out of the country competing in the Olympics. But she can be both reckless and emotional, as you saw today."

"Seven years old?" She shuddered. "Did Taylor ever manage to get hold of her?"

Harlan shook his head. "But he's been trying ever since he realized that it would be a great way to cause me pain and suffering. He scared her a couple of times, but I didn't let him get near her." He added grimly, "Though I had to kill one of his men the second time they went after her."

"Was she scared?"

"Terrified. But I had a long talk with her and then I bought her a new horse and told her how she had to protect the animals who were her friends. She has a very protective soul, and she forgot about being afraid for herself after that."

"But you didn't forget."

"Never," he said bluntly. "And I never will. She's a top priority."

"A child…" She shook her head. "How could anyone…"

"Easily. Taylor doesn't care. Remember that. But we care, and we have to make certain that we make him know it. She still has guards on duty, but as I told you, she can be reckless. Will you keep an eye on her for me?"

"Of course I will," she said. "Dogs and children." She was still shivering. "What a beast he must be."

"Yes," Harlan said as he prepared to leave the study. "But you knew that. You had all the figures and reports. Try to sleep tonight, Kira. We'll talk tomorrow. I promise there won't be anything to disturb you. I've already made the arrangements to protect your Summer Island." He looked back at her. "By the way, your friend Sarah Logan has been checking on you practically every day this week. You might give her a call so that she won't think I'm keeping you prisoner here."

"Not tonight. Maybe tomorrow. I haven't made up my mind what I'm going to do yet. Evidently John and Sarah both trust you. And I want to be able to tell Sarah something definite, if you don't mind. I'll go back to that bedroom where you've been keeping Mack and me and I'll do some thinking about ways and means."

Harlan nodded. "I'd be the last to discourage you. The more you consider what your options are, the better. It will all point in my direction as your best bet." He opened the door for her. "Should I warn Fiona to leave you alone tonight?"

"That's up to you." She led Mack out of the study and started up the ornate winding staircase. "I can handle her, and at the moment, I'm feeling a little sorry for her."

"That was never my intention. And it's not what she'd want," Harlan said. "She can be extremely tough when it's necessary."

"Good. With you as head of the household, I can see that might be a very good trait to cultivate…"

Five minutes later, Kira was upstairs and hesitating outside the bedroom door. Then she knocked and let herself into the bedchamber.

Fiona sat up straight in bed and smiled at her. "I was hoping that you'd come back and talk to me. You let me off the hook with Harlan, and I owe you."

"I believe Harlan makes up his own mind," Kira said. "At least that's my impression. However, you know him much better than I do. He told me that he's been taking care of you since you were seven."

"That's true," Fiona said. "I was just a kid, and sometimes I didn't realize what was going on. But he's always been there for me since I lost my dad. Even when he was so busy because of all the people trying to get his attention. But then everyone practically worships him, you know. He has all kinds of officers and diplomats and other important people coming to see him and giving him medals and awards. He invents all kinds of important stuff, and people pay him zillions to do it."

"Really?" Kira's lips twitched. "Zillions?"

"Maybe I'm exaggerating a little. But not very much. He's like you in that."

"Me? I don't have zillions, and I guarantee that I don't compare monetarily with your uncle Harlan in any way," Kira said. "Why would you think I was anything but a working girl making a decent living?"

"Because Harlan told me that you're famous and have all kinds of veterinary and dog training degrees and you travel all over the world and hunt down criminals and even invent medicines to help dogs live longer. That's why we have to get you well—so you can keep doing that." She made a face. "But then I blew it. Because I couldn't stand the thought that you wouldn't help Harlan if he needed you. That pissed me off royally."

"Obviously."

"And then of course there were the horses," Fiona said. "I couldn't see why you were discriminating."

"I beg your pardon?"

Fiona's gaze went to the sketches of horses on the wall in the alcove. "You've been working with dogs and extending their lives. I have fourteen wonderful horses, and they're not getting any younger. Why not give them a break?"

Kira shook her head. "I'd be delighted. I love horses. But I work with dogs because I'm familiar with them. I have to accept and work with each species individually, exploring their differences. Understand?"

"Not really. You've not let yourself become familiar with my horses. They're absolutely terrific and deserve to live long, healthy lives. Now do you understand?"

"So I've been told," Kira grinned. "Many times. I hear it from everyone with a wonderful animal they can't bear to lose."

"But mine are especially fantastic," Fiona said wistfully, "and I love them so much. I believe I might have to work with you to help you stop that dratted discrimination."

Kira smiled. "There are always ways to bring miracles about if you try hard enough."

Fiona patted the bed next to her. "Then come and sit beside me and tell me what kind of miracles you've managed to perform on Summer Island and other places you've been. Will you do that?"

"I'll try," Kira said. "But I hear you've managed to perform a few miracles at the Olympics you attended last year. And evidently, you're quite an artist as well. It will have to be a joint revelation."

"Fair enough." Fiona settled herself more comfortably and then punched her pillow a couple of times to soften it. "You first…"