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She jerked around, and sure enough Dash and her father were headed toward them Her father led the ith Dash close behind hier held the cat, and the front door was again closed

"Took hih," West observed

"He probably made a private call" Maybe even to Dan It wasn’t beyond her father to tattle on her to the commander "You know Dad and hisallies"

"Not as well as you do, obviously" West scowled "If you need me to run interference--"

"I can deal with Dad"

"How you deal with hie Should I credit Dash with that?"

He could credit overwhel lust for the transforering her father to see it happen But she wasn’t going to explain any of that to her brother "It’s probably just your i closer, he said in a low voice, "Before they get here, I want you to know that I’s It hasn’t helped and in fact has only made matters worse" His hand touched her chin "After that damned wreck Well, we could have lost you"

"West," she said, letting hiht you should know, I’m here if you need o wanted to ask, but her Dad already stepped between them

"You said you see the doc too nodded "Yes"

"When?"

"Aappointment" As Dash stepped up close to her, he slipped his arm around her waist--and even that inflanored Dash "You’ll go into work after that?"

"I’ll probably come by here first to dress in appropriate clothes" And htened her spine "And then, yes, I’ll go in to the station"

As if he’d expected no less, he nodded "I heard about your newest case"

How much did he know? Did he know that someone had offered a reward for her? That some very twisted individuals wanted to punish her? She hoped not Given her father’s s, she didn’t know if he’d sle-handedly find the ive anything away, Margo asked, "What case is that?"

Annoyed by her obvious evasion, Martin waved a hand "This kerosene business Sick shit"

"Yes" Very sick

"But you shouldn’t be involved" He pointed at her "Dan told you to take time away, and that’s what you should do"

Good, he didn’t know She felt Dash watching her, felt his presence beside her It was co because she shouldn’t want or need his coot clearance Toive lare of censure "Who’s your doctor?"

Did he hope to butt in, to maybe influence a medical specialist? She wouldn’t put it past hiered her about not working, and now he acted as if he wanted to prohibit her from it "You don’t know him, Dad, but don’t worry He has an excellent reputation"

"Great," West said "I expect to hear from you tomorrow, okay? Let er door, holding it for Martin "Let’s go, Dad I have a hundred things to do yet today, and we’ve interrupted enough"

In lieu of reassuring either of theo dis, "Drive carefully"

Her father didn’t ask for a call He didn’t say anything He just e frao watched as they backed out She watched as they drove up the street, as they started around the corner

Dash watched her "Your family doesn’t know about the bounty put on your head?"

"God, no Trust me, we’ll all be better off if my family stays out of my business" Even West, who clais if he knew

"You and West talked for so long, I assuet sidetracked with lengthy conversations She knew she was in over her head when even a visit from her father didn’t dilute her physical need for this one specific man