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few days comforting the bereaved widow. All I can do is keep an eye on her.” He paused. “God, she's powerful, Michael.”
    “I told you that she was on her way five years ago. And instead of smothering her talent, she's been using it. Not to any great degree, but she must have honed it.”
    “She can find Trask. Dammit, I
know
she can find him.”
    “If he doesn't kill her.”
    “I stand corrected. If he doesn't kill her.”
    “I'll be very displeased if you let that happen, Silver. I would never have let you have Kerry if you hadn't made me a promise.”
    “I'll keep it,” he said curtly. “Get off my back. I'll call you and keep you posted. If you hear anything valuable from Andreas, let me know.” He hung up.
    He couldn't blame Michael for doubting him. No one knew better the recklessness of the explosive anger that was driving him. Hell, sometimes he doubted himself. Would he let Kerry Murphy die if it meant getting Trask?
    Jesus, he didn't know.
             
    H er brother, Jason, called Kerry as she was leaving Charlie's house to go to the funeral. “How's Edna?”
    “As good as she can be. Her sister, Donna, arrived last night from Detroit and that's a help. They're pretty close.”
    “And how are you?”
    “Sad.” She stiffened. “What do you expect?”
    “Don't get uptight. I'm just concerned.”
    “I'm fine. Just fine. You keep expecting me to go off the tracks again. It's not going to happen.”
    “I know that. But I think you need a few days' R and R.” She heard someone talking in the background and then Jason laughed. “Laura doesn't agree with me. She thinks you should come down and help her finish the gazebo like you promised. She needs you to paint. The fumes make her sick.”
    “Tell her I'll drive down tomorrow. Now that Donna is here Edna won't need me. Family is always better.”
    “I agree.” He paused. “Dad stopped by last week on his way to Florida. He asked about you.”
    “Did he?” She changed the subject. “I have to go. Edna is waiting. I'll see you tomorrow, Jason.”
    “He's your father too, Kerry. You can't blame him forever.”
    “I don't blame him. I just don't want to see him. Tell Laura not to touch that paintbrush. Together we'll get that gazebo in shape.” She hung up and drew a deep breath. Jason never let an opportunity go by to attempt to bring her father and her together. He didn't understand. She had told him the truth: She didn't blame her father, but contact brought back the pain and disturbed the balance that she'd fought so hard to establish. She couldn't permit that to happen.
    “Can we take Sam, Kerry?”
    She turned to see Gary, Charlie's ten-year-old son, coming down the stairs. He was dressed in a blue suit and tie and his face looked pinched and pale. Poor kid. He had held on tight to his composure after the first night of tears, but this was going to be a rough day for him.
    A rough day for all of them.
    “I don't think they like dogs to go to funerals, Gary,” she said gently. “And Sam isn't always well behaved.”
    “Dad wouldn't care.” Gary swallowed hard. “He liked Sam. He used to complain, but Sam made him laugh. I think Kim would like to have him there. She's only six and she's kind of—Sam sort of makes it easier for her.”
    And it made things easier for Gary too. Touching a warm and loving animal was always a comfort to children. “I'll ask your mother if I can drive back here and pick him up when we leave the chapel for the cemetery. But you and Kim will have to make sure he doesn't cause a disturbance. Do you promise?”
    Gary nodded. “He'll be good. He's smart. He'll know that Dad is—” His eyes filled with tears and he hurried past her out the front door. “Kim will be glad that Sam is coming. She's only a kid. . . .”
    Kerry's eyes were also stinging as she followed him out onto the porch. Gary was only a kid too. Two great kids who had lost their father and would have to grow up without the warm,