“I know he wouldn’t hurt Toby.”
Margaret just looked at her.
“Look, he’s a little like you.” Margaret was still staring skeptically at her, and Jane knew she’d have to try to elaborate. “He has a kind of talent. He can control the flow of blood in people around him.”
“How?”
“I don’t know. He can just do it. It’s a gift passed down through his family. I could ask the same of you.”
She shook her head. “No one in my family was able to do what I do. I don’t think they ever tried.” She thought about it. “Flow of blood … that could be bad or good.”
“Yes.”
“But you’ve seen the bad.”
Shrewd Margaret. So young, so shrewd.
“I’ve never seen him hurt anyone that didn’t deserve it.”
“Perhaps he didn’t let you see it. You said he inherited the talent from his family. Families teach their young. What do you know about them?”
“Nothing.” Caleb never talked about his home or his relations. “He lives in Scotland most of the year. He has a place in Italy. Haven’t I told you enough?”
“No, you’re skirting around trying to not tell me something. I think I should talk to him.”
“He doesn’t like to discuss—” She drew a deep breath. Just tell her and put that curiosity to rest. “He comes from a very ancient family originating in a village in Italy. Back in medieval times, they were known as the Ridondo family, and there were all kinds of stories in their village about their supposed dark powers. Not pleasant stories.”
Margaret started to chuckle. “Vampires?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Caleb is not a vampire.”
“Though that could be where the vampire legends originated.” Margaret was looking intrigued. “How cool.”
“Not cool at all.”
“Yes, it is. I wonder how that blood thing works.”
“Don’t ask him,” Jane said dryly. “He might show you.”
“But you just said he was no danger.”
“Is that what I said? I believe I said he was no danger to Toby.”
Her face was lit with eagerness. “You know, I’ve always been curious about vampire bats. I’ve never been able to merge with them. They’re too single-minded.”
“Merge? Is that what you do?”
“Sort of,” Margaret said vaguely. “It’s difficult to explain.”
“Like Seth Caleb. I’m asking you to take my word for it that he had nothing to do with hurting Toby and not start questioning him.”
She was silent a moment. “I’ll take your word. And I won’t question him … anytime soon.” She added brusquely, “But if he has nothing to do with it, then all this has to be about you.” Her tone was no longer amused or speculative. “Find out who did it and keep him from doing it to Toby or some other dog.” She put up her hand as Jane opened her lips to speak. “I can’t talk any more now. I have to get back to Toby.” She started back up the path toward the hospital. “I just had to tell you what you have to do. You say you’re grateful to me. Prove it. Keep Toby safe from that ugly man.”
“Was he ugly? How do you know?” Her brows rose quizzically. “Did Toby tell you?”
“No, Toby thinks all humans are beautiful. But he doesn’t know about ugly souls.” She stopped at the door and looked back at Jane. “You’ll do this for me?”
“No,” she said quietly. “I’ll do it for me and for Toby.”
“Good.” Margaret’s face lit with a luminous smile. “That’s how it should be.” The harsh bulb above her surrounded her with a glow that should have been stark and unflattering but somehow wasn’t. She looked soft and young and appealing, as if even that unkind glare couldn’t alter that essential effect. “Why don’t you come in and stay with Toby and me? He’s still under sedation, but I think he’d like to have you with him.”
“Think? You don’t know?”
“Of course not. He’s out cold.” Margaret giggled, and suddenly she looked more like sixteen than twenty. “You’re making fun of me.” She opened the door and stepped aside for Jane to enter. “Because I make you a little uncomfortable, and you don’t know how to treat me. You half believe I helped Toby, but you’re not quite sure. Devon was like that for a long time.”
Close. Except how could Jane be uncomfortable with the kid in leather sandals and jeans who could accept being the butt of jokes and suspicion and giggle about it? “How do you want me to treat you?”