“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.”