"Okay." She was frowning as she watched him go down the steps. It was odd that Casper had gotten loose. Nick was always very careful about locks. But he was right; the donkey would probably be fine.

"I never left the gate open," Janet said flatly. "Not once."

"And Nick usually doesn't either." She finished her coffee and got to her feet. "Come on, Ned. Let's go to the clinic and check you out. We'll have my friend Dr. Dalks take a look at you, then I'll let you sit with the receptionist and charm all the patients. You'll like Terry. She's a pushover for Labs."

"DEVON BRADY LEFT THE HOUSE ten minutes ago," Fraser said when he picked up Marrok's call. "Nick Gilroy left before her. I think he's looking for the donkey."

"Did she take Ned with her?"

"Yes, he looked pretty spry."

"He should. It's been two days," Marrok said. "Are you still at the farm?"

"Yes." Fraser was silent. "Bridget says she thinks… she was nervous last night."

His hand tightened on the phone. "Any sign?"

"No, but I've been keeping my eyes peeled. I'm going to take another look around after I hang up. Bridget isn't often wrong."

No, she wasn't, Marrok thought. In her own way her instincts were as sharp and accurate as Ned's. Bridget would appreciate the comparison. She liked animals better than she liked most people.

Devon had said something like that the night he'd met her. She would probably get along very well with Bridget.

If he could keep her alive long enough to meet her.

"Don't take any chances, Fraser. Your job is to report, not engage. Call me when you finish checking the area."

"I will. I'll see them before they see me." He hung up.

Dammit, he had at least an hour before he reached Denver, and it would be another hour before he could make it to the small town of Bayside.

He didn't have Bridget's gift, but he had a bad feeling. He wanted to be off this plane and able to move.