"I always run away like you told me."

"But there's no one to hear you if you call out."

"I'm okay. I ain't scared."

She knew she couldn't make him understand. Fear was where his father lived. Everywhere else was safe in comparison. Maybe it would be okay tonight. She hadn't seen that creep for a couple of days. "How long does your father usually stay when he comes back?"

"A week, maybe two."

"It's already been a week. Maybe he's gone."

Mike shook his head. "I checked after school yesterday. He was on the porch with Mom. But he didn't see me."

"Did your mom?"

"I think so, but she looked away real quick." He stared down at the spaghetti. "It ain't her fault. She's scared too."

"Yeah."

"It will be just fine once he goes away again."

It wouldn't be fine. Mike's mom was one of the hookers who worked Peachtree, and she was gone more than she was home, but he still defended her. It always surprised Jane how kids could never see their parents the way they really were. "Are you finished with that spaghetti?"

"Not yet."

He had a bite left, but he wasn't eating because he wanted her to stay.

"Tell me about the stars again."

"You could find out for yourself if you learn to read. It's all in that book of legends in the school library. You got to learn to read, Mike, and you can't learn if you don't go to school."

"I only skipped once this week. Tell me about that guy on the horse."

She should go now. She would have only a few hours' sleep before Fay woke her to go to school. Mr. Brett had yelled at her for falling asleep in third period yesterday.

Mike nestled closer.

He was lonely and maybe more scared than he'd said. Oh, well, while she was there she could make sure no creep snuck up on him. "Just a little longer. If you promise me you won't come here anymore."

"I promise."

She tilted her head back. She liked the stars as much as Mike did. She had never noticed them until she'd gone to stay with the Carbonis. She could remember staring out the window and trying to close out the fear by seeing pictures in the sky. When she'd found the book in the library, it had helped even more. Books and stars. They had helped her; maybe they would help Mike.

Tonight was clear and the stars seemed brighter than usual. Bright and clean and far away from this alley off Luther Street.

"The guy on the horse is Sagittarius, but he's not really on a horse. He's half horse, half man. You see that string of stars? That's the string of his bow as he draws it back to . . ."

Chapter SEVEN

"I beg your pardon?" Fay Sugarton stared at her three visitors. "Jane?"

"She's in danger," Eve said, seated on the sofa with Joe and Mark. "Please believe me."

"Why? Because she's the right age, has red hair, and was in four foster homes before coming here? You admit you practically pulled her name from a hat."

"She matched the profile," Joe said.

"Did you check county records as well as city records?"

"We believe Dom would choose a child from this area."

"Maybe, maybe not. There could be other children in the county who match the profile. You didn't search in depth." Fay crossed her arms over her breasts. "And you don't even know if this guy who's calling you isn't some sicko practical joker."

"He knew about the two boys at Talladega," Eve said.

"That doesn't mean he's after Jane."

"Do you want to take the chance?"

"Of course I don't." She stared at Eve. "But I don't intend to let you jerk Jane away from me unless I'm convinced there's a need for it. She's been tossed from one home to another since she was two. I'm responsible for her now. I won't have her torn from another home and frightened out of her wits."

"We're not the ones who will frighten her."

"Bring me proof; show me how you'll protect her and I'll let her go."

Eve drew a deep breath. "Proof may come too late."

"You don't realize how damaged this child is. I want a chance at earning her trust." She turned to Mark Grunard. "And if you try to put me or any of this on TV, I'll sue the station."

He held up his hands. "I'm just an observer." He paused. "But I'd listen if I were you. No one is trying to victimize the child but this Dom. We're trying to save her, Ms. Sugarton."

Fay hesitated and then shook her head. "Bring me proof and I'll let you take her."

"You're putting the child at risk," Eve said.

Fay gave her a shrewd glance. "I don't imagine you'll let her become a victim. I'd bet you'll have a guard on her."

"That may not be enough. She needs to be hidden away."

"I don't see you hiding."

"That's my choice. A child has no choice."

Fay grimaced. "You don't know Jane."

"She's a child, dammit."

"A child who's been abused and neglected most of her life. She doesn't think much of grown-ups already, and you want me to tell her someone's trying to kill her just for the hell of it?"