"It's not a bad reason, is it?"

She slowly shook her head. "Not to me. But most search and rescue dogs don't grieve when they're away from the disaster."

"Ned is different." He studied her face. "You look tired. Why don't you get someone else to go up and check out that house?"

"I'll be fine." She wearily rubbed the back of her neck. "I'll get my second wind on the way up."

His lips lifted in a slight smile. "I thought you'd do it yourself. You're not good at delegating, are you?"

"I'm already awake. Why rouse anyone else to trek up there on what is probably a wild-goose chase?"

"It may not be. What will you do if it isn't?"

"Jump up and down with joy. Then send up a flare for them to rush up a medical team." She looked at Ned. "I don't like to leave him. Are you sure you know what to do if there's a problem?"

"Ned is a powerhouse. He's strong, and his body heals faster than any animal you've ever treated. Now that the bullet is out, he'll begin to repair himself. You'll be amazed at how quickly he'll recover. I've told him what to do." He added solemnly, "And I promise not to rifle through your narcotics stash while you're off saving lives. Not that you won't warn that guard to keep an eye on me."

"You bet I will. You're going to have a lot of questions to answer when I get back." Though she couldn't believe Marrok was a petty thief. He was larger than life. She'd judge that he might find a way to embezzle a million, but he wouldn't be pilfering the medicine chest. As she headed for the entrance, she said over her shoulder, "If you need help, have the guard take you to my trailer. Nick Gilroy's a vet, too, and will know what to do."

He looked back at Ned. "I won't need help."

Devon paused a moment outside the tent to take a deep breath and look up at the mountain. Lord, she hoped Marrok was right about there being a survivor.