Firestorm (19 page)

“I know you don't want to hurt your mother, but you have to admit that Rosa is in danger.”

“I don't have to admit anything to you. I've told Rosa to go on the run if Harvey comes near her. It may not happen. He's going to be careful after I went to Mom about him. Besides, I'll take care of Rosa as soon as I get out of here.”

“Okay, but that may be a few days. I believe we'll have to find a way to get Rosa out of that house right away.” She held up her hand as Carmela looked at her in alarm. “Without involving your mother with the police.”

Carmela stared at her for a moment. “Why would you do that?”

“For heaven's sake, Carmela. Maybe I don't like the idea of a young girl being victimized. Is that so hard to believe?”

“How do I know? I don't know you. And I don't think the fire department goes in for this kind of charity work.”

Lord, she was suspicious, Kerry thought. Well, why not? She hadn't had much opportunity to develop trust, and the one person closest to her had betrayed her. Tell the kid the truth. “No, it doesn't. We help where we can, but you're an unusual case. And it's a personal issue with me.” She paused. “The person who started the fire wanted you to die in that blaze.”

“You're crazy. No one knew I was in that warehouse.”

“Trask knew it. He called me and told me your name. He even described you.”

“Trask? That's his name?”

“James Trask.”

“But why would he want to kill me?”

“It wasn't about you. It was about me. He has a sort of . . . fixation about me. He knew I'd hate the idea of a young girl dying in a fire, and he wanted me to get to know you so that your death would mean more to me.” She added gently, “He succeeded. I began to feel very close to you while we were searching for that warehouse.”

She didn't speak for a moment. “Really?”

“Really.”

“But I still don't see why he'd try to kill me. I didn't do anything to him.”

She could see why Carmela was having difficulty accepting Trask's motivation, when Kerry herself found it totally incomprehensible. “I told you, he wanted to get at me through you. I'm the one he wanted to hurt.”

“Well, he hurt me too. He's got to be one nutty son of a bitch.” She hesitated. “Is he still going to try to—”

“I don't think so. But we have a guard on you just in case.”

“Nutty.” She shook her head in disgust. “Do you run into people like him a lot?”

“No, not like him.” She had told Carmela enough, and she wasn't about to go into details that might frighten her. “But you can see why I'm concerned about you. You may not have known about it, but we have a connection.”

“Yeah, that nut who has it in for both of us.” Carmela's lips tightened. “If you're telling me the truth.”

Lord, the kid was tough. “You have to trust someone sometime, Carmela.”

“Why? It's lots safer not to—”

“Here he is.” A young candy striper was half pulled into the room by Sam. “The kids in pediatrics loved him.” She made a face as she handed the leash to Kerry. “I didn't think you'd be able to convince the head nurse to let a dog in the ward.”

“I had to have her call the hospital in Atlanta and get a recommendation.” She patted Sam's head. “But I knew once Sam started strutting his stuff that no one was going to kick him out.”

“He's adorable.” The candy striper smiled as she headed for the door. “And amazingly well behaved once he saw the kids.”

“That's because he knows his job. Thanks for bringing him up here.”

“My pleasure.” She waved as she left the room.

“It probably wasn't a total pleasure.” Kerry smiled as she turned back to Carmela. “He's not the best-behaved dog on the planet.”

Carmela's gaze was fixed on Sam. “He's . . . beautiful. Why did you bring him here?”

“I thought you might want to meet him. And I knew he'd help the kids.” She unsnapped the leash. “Do you want to pet him? Just call his name.”

“Sam?”

Sam bounded across the room toward the bed and planted his forepaws on the mattress.

Kerry chuckled. “He doesn't take much urging.”

Carmela tentatively reached out and stroked his head. “He feels . . . silky.”

“Did you have a dog?”

She shook her head. “Mom said they were too much trouble.”

Sam rubbed his head on her hand and gave a soft woo-woo.

Carmela smiled. “He likes this.” She looked up at Kerry. “I've heard about arson dogs. Is Sam one?”

She nodded. “He's very famous.”

Carmela frowned in puzzlement. “But you told that nurse he knew his job when he was with the kids. That's not his job.”

“Sure it is. Actually, he's far more suited to help those kids than he is to fight fires.” That was certainly the truth. “Sam has one outstanding gift. He gives love and keeps on giving.”

“That doesn't seem to be much of a gift.”

“It's the greatest gift. Unconditional love? Not many creatures are capable of that kind of affection. He warms the heart and keeps loneliness away. Why, Sam's a blooming miracle.” She smiled ruefully. “He's a rambunctious rascal, but I've never seen him be anything but gentle with any of those kids. He seems to sense when he has to take care.”

“He doesn't seem—” She broke off as Sam licked her hand. “He . . . likes me.”

Kerry could almost see the wall around Carmela melting. Thank you, Sam. “Yes, he does. And as long as he senses you're not in top shape, he won't jump in bed and lick you to death.”

“I wouldn't mind.” She laid her cheek on Sam's head. “He's so soft.”

“Do you want me to bring him back with me?”

She didn't speak for a moment and then straightened. But her hand remained on Sam's head. “Maybe.”

“Will you let me come back? Do you believe what I told you about Trask?”

“It seems weird.”

“It's true.”

Carmela was silent again and then said, “I think I saw him once.”

She went still. “What?”

“That day of the fire. Some guy was following me.”

“What did he look like?”

“A little heavy, reddish hair. Was that him?”

Dickens.

“No, but he probably worked for him.”

“That kook has people working for him? What is he? Some kind of mobster?”

“Not exactly.”

“You're not going to tell me.” She shrugged. “I don't care. It doesn't matter, as long as you keep him away from me and Rosa.” She paused. “Are you really going to go get Rosa?”

“I wouldn't lie to you. My friend, Silver, is downstairs in the parking lot on the phone now trying to arrange a way to get her away from your mother.”

“Where are you going to put her? One of those DFACS houses?”

“No, we'll find a safe place for her. Don't worry.”

“What a stupid thing to say.” Carmela gave her a withering look even as she continued to stroke Sam. “Of course I'm going to worry. She's my sister. I have to take care of her.”

Kerry chuckled. “You're right. It was stupid. Worry all you please, but I won't, because I know she's going to be okay.” Her smile faded. “And so will you, Carmela. Things are going to work out for you. I promise.” She came toward the bed and put the leash on Sam. “Now I'll go and let you rest.”

“I don't do anything else in this place.” Her hand reluctantly left Sam after a final pat. “Did they tell you when they're going to let me leave here?”

“In a few days. You're still running a fever.” She started for the door. “Has your mother contacted you yet?”

“She called me last night.” She defiantly lifted her chin. “It's just like I told you, she couldn't get off work. It's not as if she doesn't care about me. She just has . . . problems.”

“Well, maybe we can rid her of a few of those problems.” Kerry opened the door. “I'll come and see you tomorrow, Carmela.”

“You don't have to do that.”

“I know I don't.” She smiled. “But I know you'll want to hear what progress we're having with your sister.”

“You're really gonna help her?”

“I lied to you once. I won't do it again.”

“I hope you don't.” Her hands clenched on the sheet. “I won't take charity. It sticks in my throat. But if you'll do this for me, I'll owe you big time. And I'll pay you back. I promise.”

She could see that the girl was deadly serious, and Kerry wouldn't insult her by refusing. “I'll take you up on that. See you tomorrow, Carmela.”

“Wait.” When Kerry looked back at her, Carmela said awkwardly, “I wouldn't mind if you brought that pooch back. He's probably good for those sick kids.”

“You're right.” She nodded solemnly. “Okay, if you really don't mind.

“Good job, Sam,” she murmured as she left the room.

His tail wagged as he pulled Kerry down the hall, all gentleness and decorum forgotten. Kerry didn't care. He'd given Carmela affection and softened her pain in a way she could accept.

Poor kid, Kerry thought as she waited at the elevator. Life had not treated her well, and she had all the prickly barriers to prove it. But it was a wonder she wasn't even more defensive and that she'd somehow managed to develop a code.

Silver was waiting in the lobby when she got off the elevator. “How is she?”

“Smart, vulnerable, wary. Sam helped a lot.”

“I was wondering why you wanted to take him.”

“Sam's great with kids. She needed him. But she found out that we're not social workers.”

“Busted. What did you tell her?”

“The truth. I decided she could take it.” She started down the corridor toward the parking lot. “I like her, Silver. She's tough, but I think she . . . Oh, I don't know. She reminds me of someone. . . .” She frowned, trying to think who it was, but it didn't come to her. “I
like
her.”

“Well, that's clear.” He fell into step with her. “I'll have to take your word for it. I'm still too bruised and exasperated from trying to get her to jump off that roof to be objective.”

“She was scared.”

“And you're being defensive.”

“Someone has to defend her. She's not had much help from her mother.” She glanced at him. “And speaking of her mother, did you make any progress?”

He nodded. “I contacted Travis and told him to have some strings pulled with DFACS in Louisville. He's going to send a caseworker to put some subtle pressure on Carmela's mother to release Rosa into their care.”

“How subtle?”

“Maybe not all that subtle. A velvet-gloved threat that I hope will scare her into cooperating.”

“And after DFACS takes Rosa away from her mother?”

“Then we'll make sure there's a grade-A foster home ready to receive her until Carmela is out of the hospital.”

“When will we know?”

He shrugged. “Tonight. Maybe tomorrow. I told Travis it was urgent.”

“Good. I want something encouraging to tell Carmela tomorrow.” She motioned for Sam to jump in the back of the SUV before getting in herself. “It wasn't pleasant telling her about Trask, but she took it well.”

“Like you said, tough.”

“And prickly as the devil. She wanted to—” Kerry suddenly started to laugh. “Lord, I just figured out who she reminded me of.”

“Who?”

“You.”

He glanced at her as he started the car. “I beg your pardon?”

“Prickly and surly and not letting anyone near.”

He smiled faintly. “I'll accept the description since you said you couldn't help but like her. But you should really examine that response. You obviously have a weakness for difficult people like us.”

Her smile faded. She didn't want to examine the warmth she felt for Silver. That softness was even more dangerous than the sexual pleasure she experienced with him. She glanced hurriedly out the window. “Do you think we were followed?”

“If we were, then it was definitely done by an expert.” He stopped at the parking-lot booth and handed the clerk the ticket and money. “And I contacted Ledbruk, and his agent didn't think we were being watched.”

She frowned. “Then was I wrong? I thought it was a reasonable assumption that—”

“It was reasonable. Maybe Trask just hasn't gotten his shit together yet. There's still a good chance that Dickens will show.”

He was probably right. What did she expect? It wasn't likely they'd be able to grab Dickens the first day. But telling herself that didn't stop the uneasiness she felt. Trask wouldn't be spinning his wheels after he learned he'd falled to kill Carmela. He'd want to make a move to show Kerry that she hadn't really won anything of importance.

And if that move didn't involve having her followed by Dickens, what other action was he planning?

“Stop fretting,” Silver said. “I learned a long time ago that if you can't do anything about a problem, it's better to relax and gather strength for the moment when you can.”

“It must be nice to be so patronizing. I'm not some psychic superman like you. I'm not good at this and I don't have your experience. I
can't
relax.”

He gave a low whistle at the sharpness of her tone. “Sorry. I didn't mean to sound patronizing. And you're getting better and stronger all the time. You can block me, and that last time I felt a definite nudge when you made the attempt at a push.”

“Nudge? That's not going to do me any good when I come up against Trask.”

“I told you that I couldn't gauge how strong that push would translate with someone else.”

“That gives me a hell of a lot of confidence.”

“Easy. I can't furnish you with confidence, but you know I'll keep on working with you until you—”

“I know. I know.” Her lips tightened. “Christ, I'm sick of it all. I never wanted to have to learn anything like this. After we get Trask, I'm going to take Sam and go back to doing what I do well. I'm going to block these weeks out of my mind and never think of them again.”

He didn't speak for a moment. “Or me?”

“What do you want me to say? One goes with the other. Don't tell me you won't be glad to be rid of me too.”

“I wouldn't think of telling you that.” He looked away from her. “I'm just saying it may be hard to do.”

She knew he was right, but there was no way she would admit it. Difficult or not, she was going to break this link between them. She leaned her head back on the seat rest and closed her eyes. “You're wrong. After what I've gone through, it will be a piece of cake.”