“You didn’t ask me. No, that’s not quite true. Trevor said that it would be better if I didn’t mention him to you. He didn’t care about Jane’s knowing, but he said you were a bit touchy where he’s concerned. Are you?”

“You could say that.” He glanced at Jane. “It didn’t matter to him that you didn’t want her here. He wanted to remind you that he was still in your life.”

Margaret nodded. “I thought that might be it.” She looked beyond Jane to Joe, who was still standing on the top step. “Hi, Detective Quinn. I didn’t mean to ignore you, but it’s a little tense. I really think I can help find Eve Duncan. Is it all right if I stay a little while and find out what’s happening? I won’t get in the way.”

Joe gazed at her a moment, and said, “Why not? You’re here, and there’s not much we can do unless we turn you over to be deported.” He shook his head. “I don’t want to do that. You helped save Jane’s dog, and Eve and I love Toby. We can work out the legalities later.”

Her smile widened to brilliance. “Thank you. I’ll see that you don’t get in trouble because of me.” She turned to Jane. “See, everything is going to work out. Detective Quinn knows that my being here is a good thing.”

“I didn’t say that,” Joe said dryly.

“But you’re very smart, and you sense things. Of course you realize that I’ll be able to help.” She started up the steps. “Would you mind if I took a shower and washed the dog smell off? I don’t mind it, but you all might. I was with six rescue dogs on that flight to Atlanta, and I had to be practically on top of Bruno, a German shepherd, who has nerve problems. That’s why the rescue group let me come along with them. Bruno was terrified of flying and they usually had to dope him. But he’d grown almost immune over the last couple years of use. I promised that I’d keep him calm and happy.” She added, “And that I’d work with him when I was finished here and make sure that he’d be okay with flying without meds.”

“You can do that?” Joe’s eyes were narrowed. “Jane told me some fairly amazing things about you. I found it … interesting.”

“I can do it.” She met his gaze. “And Jane doesn’t really know anything about me. What she does know, she’s not sure she believes. I knew I was going to have a tough time convincing her to let me do payback.” She tilted her head, gazing at him. “But you’re thinking that I might be useful to you. I think you’ve already decided on a way.”

“Possibly.”

“Joe,” Jane said. “She’s not much more than a kid.”

“Let me think about it.” Joe turned away. “Why don’t you make that coffee while I decide whether I’m going to take her up on her offer.”

“You do have something in mind,” Jane said. “What?”

But Joe had already gone into the house.

“Am I invited for coffee?” Caleb asked. “Or am I to be punished for dumping Margaret on your doorstep?”

“You’re invited.” Jane grimaced. “She would have found some way to get out here from the airport even if she had to hitchhike.”

“You’re right,” Margaret said. “But hitchhiking can be dangerous. I preferred to tap Caleb.” She chuckled. “Though he can be sort of risky, too. But not to me.”

“Don’t count on that,” Caleb said softly. “I don’t like the idea of your juggling and pitting Trevor against me to get what you want.” He held up his hand as she started to speak. “And you went after Quinn to get around Jane’s objections. You’re very wily, Margaret. All that sunny charm may cover something darker.”

She shook her head. “I’m a survivor,” she said simply. “I’ve had to be, Caleb. And I’m not some Pollyanna phony. I try to stay away from darkness. It’s always out there, but the only way I can get through it is to let in a little light now and then. Nothing wrong with that.”

“Sounds pretty saccharine to me.” He shrugged. “However, no one can say I’m full of sweetness and light.”

“You can say that again,” Jane said. “Now stop being cynical and give her a break.” She opened the door. “The bathroom is down the hall and to your left, Margaret. When you’ve washed the travel and dog smell off, come out, and we’ll talk.” She met her gaze. “But no matter what Joe says, I don’t know if I’m going to let you—”

“I know. I know. But you respect Joe Quinn. That’s half the battle.” She was walking quickly down the hall. “And I have to have information if I’m going to help at all. He’s a detective and razor-sharp. If he thinks I’ll be useful, he’ll share. You might ration info to keep me safe.”

Very canny, Jane thought. “You might get more than you bargain for. Joe is frantic, and he’ll do anything to get Eve back.” Her lips twisted. “Don’t trust me, either. I’m trying to remember to be civilized, but I’ll probably fold at the first hint that Doane’s going to hurt her. You’d be much safer if you got the hell away from both of us.”

Margaret’s head swiftly turned. “Doane? You have a name?” Her eyes were suddenly glittering. “See, information. It can be magic. How did you find out that—”

“Go take your shower. I may tell you later. Or I may not.”

“I’ll hurry.” Margaret disappeared into the bathroom and slammed the door.

“Are you softening?” Caleb asked.

“If I were softening, then I’d run her away from here. The word is hardening.” She wearily rubbed her temple. “I wish she hadn’t come. It makes it too easy to take advantage of her.”

“She wouldn’t consider it taking advantage. You heard her, payback.” He shrugged. “I would probably take advantage, but then I’m a callous bastard. Your decision.” He glanced at the kitchen bar. “Now I believe you said you were going to give me a cup of coffee. You’re the one who looks like you need one. Sit down. I’ll make it for us.”

“I can do it.”

“I’m sure you can, but I didn’t take a bullet a couple days ago.” He was already around the bar. “It’s more reasonable to let—”

“For God’s sake, stop arguing with him, Jane,” Joe said roughly as he came out of the bedroom. “Keep what strength you have. The last thing we need is for you to collapse and have to go back in the hospital.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m—” Jane stopped, and her heart skipped a beat. “You’re upset. What’s wrong? Did you hear something about Eve?”

“No, I got a report on Blick’s overseas years from Army personnel. It was absolutely clear and uneventful until he reached Turkey. Then there were three instances of fights in bars and a few run-ins with the locals.”

“That wasn’t in the report that Venable gave us.”

“And therefore very suspect. The bar episodes were very violent but not lethal. Nothing that got him thrown in jail, but the incidents were written up. The Turkish complaints were because Blick was found in a private residential area where foreign soldiers were discouraged from going. He was with another man, who ran away and left Blick to take the blame when he and Blick were spotted near a Muslim girls’ school.” Joe added, “Blick wouldn’t reveal his identity when questioned by the Turks. Nor when he was released to the U.S. military police. He claimed he was alone, and the Turks were crazy. He said he was drunk and was wandering aimlessly when they picked him up.”

“He never revealed the name of the man who was with him?”

Joe shook his head. “And the charges against him were dropped the next day. Blick was shipped back to the States a month later.”

“A cover-up? Venable?”

“Maybe. But covering up what? And why?”

“Blick seems fairly ordinary up to the time when he teamed up with that man in Turkey. And he was willing to risk being thrown into a Turkish jail to protect him. From what we’ve learned about Blick’s background, that’s unusual.”

“And maybe the reason that Blick only got a slap on the wrist and was shipped back to the U.S. was to protect Blick’s buddy, too,” Caleb said. “It’s a game of maybes and ifs, isn’t it? Anything else, Quinn? The connection with Venable?”

Joe shook his head. “Only that I’m doing a scan of the newspapers of those months Blick was in Turkey. I’ll keep on looking, but nothing of international importance occurred as far as I can see.”