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She returned her glass of tea to the tray, rubbed her hands together to get rid of the condensation, cast a look in Caroline's direction, then addressed him again. "I'm not sure why Mother retained you."
"I told you why," Caroline said. "Mr. Hanley comes highly recommended."
"So you said, Mother. You learned of him through a friend of yours in Houston for whom he did some work." Looking back at him, she said, "But I don't know what you can do for me. For us."
"I don't know what I can do, either. But based on what your mother tells me, and on what I saw of that scene at the hospital, there's no question you're in a jam."
Caroline said, "Mr. Hanley--"
"Look, stop with the Mr. Hanley, okay?"
Caroline was momentarily silenced by his harsh tone.
If he'd sounded meaner than he'd intended, he was sorry, but her addressing him as Mr. Hanley was annoying the hell out of him. And wasn't it a little ridiculous that she wouldn't use his first name, especially when you took into account--
No, better not to take any of that into account.
"I'm sorry," Caroline said. "If you prefer being called by your first name--"
"I insist on it, Caroline."
"All right, Dodge."
"I guess that makes me Berry." Their daughter seemed amused and puzzled over the name debate. She divided a look between them, ending on Caroline. "You were saying, Mother?"
"I was saying that Dodge has years of experience with criminal investigations. I thought it would be helpful to have someone with his insight and skills on our side."
"To do what?" Berry asked.
"For starters, to find this asshole who's threatened your life." He caught himself. "Sorry for the language."
Berry made an impatient gesture that implied Forget it.
"I need to find this guy before he carries out his threat to kill you," he said.
"Isn't that up to the authorities?"
He made a scoffing sound. "Wild Bill Hickok?"
She smothered a laugh. "Referring to Deputy Nyland?"
"I like him," Caroline said staunchly.
Berry looked at her with surprise. "I thought you only met him last night."
"I did. But I like what I see."
Dodge's pang of jealousy was misplaced but undeniable. What was it that Caroline liked so well when she looked at the tall, rugged Deputy Nyland? His tanned face and sandy hair? His broad shoulders and flat belly? His stern mouth and cleft chin?
"Nyland's probably a stand-up guy," he grumbled. "Competent enough. But I don't have the confidence in the authorities that you do, Berry. I've found fugitives while the guys with badges were still trying to organize their search. I don't have to file paperwork. I don't have to get clearance from guys who're a lot dumber than me. I don't have to follow rules or fear demotion if the situation goes south."
Berry looked toward Caroline, who took her daughter's hand and pressed it between her own. "Dodge can keep his ear to the ground. Keep us informed. I don't want to be blindsided by anything, especially by the reappearance of Oren Starks."
"I'd rather avoid that, too." Addressing Dodge again, Berry asked, "Aren't you required to have a license in the state where you're working?"
He shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe. Probably."
She laughed. "You don't care?"
