“I’m not saying the one’s dependent on the other,” he told her. “But I need to deal with this first. Whether you help me or not, soon as she’s safe, I’ll come back to work on it with you.”

No. I was thinking of the last time. How that woman died. . . .

“Wasn’t your fault. You just knocked her down. Might as well blame the rock she cracked her head on.”

If it hadn’t, I would have torn out her throat.

Joe gave her a slow nod. “Yeah, I can see how knowing that would be a burden. But if you hadn’t, my sister’d be dead. I know how the teachings go—every death diminishes us and all that—but give me a choice, and I’d rather it was my family that lived than somebody who was trying to hurt them.”

What do you need me to do?

“Just find her—like you did the last time. I figure the two of you have got some kind of special connection, you know, with . . .”

How we were hurt when we were young?

He nodded. “I don’t know how it is for you, but that’s still sitting hard and deep in her—a dark ache that’s always right there under everything else in the life she’s made for herself. I don’t think it’s ever going to go away.”

I know.

“Yeah. I guess the sad truth is, you do.”

When do you need to go?

“Yesterday.”

I’ll need to get someone to look after the pups.

“I appreciate this,” he told her. He waited a beat, then added, “We should see each other more than just when there’s trouble. The times we’ve had together were good.”

She nodded, pleased that he remembered them as fondly as she did.

“Thing I’m wondering,” he added. “All those times you were outside the apartment . . . how come you never stopped in to say hello?”

You knew I was there?

“After the fact. I’d catch your scent when I stepped outside.”

I just . . . I don’t know. I wasn’t sure I’d be welcome in that other life of yours.

Joe regarded her for a long moment.

“I guess that’s more of the baggage from when you were a pup, because I’ll tell you right now, my house is always going to be your house, too. If I’m not there, you can bet Cassie’ll give you the same welcome I would. Guaranteed.”

She had trouble meeting his gaze.

Let me get someone to watch out for the pups, she said, and then we can go.

“I appreciate it,” he said.

She shook her head. There are no debts between friends and kin.

He smiled again, but she was beginning to get used to it.

“I’d be honoured to have you as either one,” he told her.

She nodded.