"You're not hard to read. No one would believe you'd abuse the dog."

"But he couldn't be sure. I may just keep Ned. It would serve him right."

"Why not? You seem to be harboring a good portion of the animal population of Denver." Nick smiled. "Should I go get Gracie and see if they're going to be compatible?"

"Not now. I have to cage Ned, then take Gracie up the mountain for-"

Ned was howling mournfully. It was soft, almost a sigh of sound, but that only added to the pathos.

He had understood?

"Cage?" she repeated.

The howling rose. It was enough to break her heart.

"For Pete's sake, shut up. It's for your own good. I can't risk you-"

Ned tucked his nose beneath her arm.

"Good God, what a con artist." Nick chuckled. "Do you want help getting him in a cage?"

That was what she should do. The downside of her profession was making decisions she didn't want to make.

Cages scare him. Give him a chance.

He had found that little girl. He deserved his chance.

"No, we'll leave him out of the cage." She pushed the Lab away from her. "You stay here and start packing up our equipment and keep an eye on him."

Nick shook his head disapprovingly. "I can't believe you're going to leave him out. If he gets excited, he may hurt himself."

"Marrok said he wouldn't." Her lips lifted in a sardonic smile. "He had a talk with him and told him not to be any trouble."

"What?"

"I know. I know. But you'll be here if Ned decides to be a problem, and he's still under sedation. If I made the wrong decision, give him another shot to quiet him." She looked down at the Lab. He was gazing eagerly up at her… and smiling. "Are you satisfied with yourself? Got your own way, didn't you?"