“But you understand.” Kelly nestled closer. “If you let me stay with you, I wouldn’t need anyone else…”

Need? Dependence. Even as her arm tightened protectively around the girl, she felt a rush of dismay. Lord, she couldn’t afford to be responsible for anyone. Not now. That wasn’t what she had bargained for when she had taken on this job. The minute she dropped Kelly off in Bogotá, she had to pressure Venable and get the Rakovac file.

“You don’t want me either,” Kelly said in a low voice. “Why should you? I’ll just get in your way.”

That was exactly what Catherine feared. “You might,” she said with blunt honesty. “And I might get in yours. You can’t judge me from the little time we’ve had together. You have a mother, you probably have other relations. You’d be better off with them.”

“I understand,” Kelly said dully. “Whatever you say.”

Dammit. “We’ll have to see what happens. As soon as we land in Bogotá, I’ll turn you over to Agent Venable. He’s my superior, and he’ll have to make a decision about what’s best for you.”

“You’re best for me.” Kelly pushed her away and sat up. “Even if you don’t want me. I wouldn’t have to pretend that I-” She leaned back against the wall of the helicopter and closed her eyes. “I’d try not to get in your way.”

“Kelly, I have something to do.” She paused. “I have something I have to do.”

“I could help you.”

Catherine shook her head. “No.”

“I could, you know,” she said. “You said I was strong. I have to be strong, or I’ll break apart. I won’t let Munoz do that to me. I’ll have to think about it…”