Free (Psychic Visions 01) Tuesday's Child by Dale Mayer Page A

She knew she had to keep trying. She hated the compassionate looks from her co-workers, hated their detachment. No one had taken the time to get close to Soldier like she had. It wasn't fair.
     
    Just this once, she'd broken her own cardinal rule and gotten close. Too close. Her heart ached. She couldn't stand the thought of something happening to him.
     
    That made it an easy decision.
     
    "I'll take him," she said abruptly.
     
    The room exploded.
     
    "No Samantha, you can't do that. He could be dangerous."
     
    "Sam, that's a bad idea."
     
    "I wouldn't recommend that."
     
    Sam refused to listen. They didn't understand. She had to give Soldier a chance.
     
    "I have to try. He's not comfortable here. If I take him home, he'll have an easier time of it. He needs to learn to trust again. He can't do that here."
     
    "And then what?" Casey, the only female veterinarian on staff, spoke the collective voice of reason. "What if he attacks you?"
     
    "He won't." Sam answered with more confidence than she felt. Stubbornly, she repeated, "I have to try."
     
    Dr. Wascott walked over and squatted down before the German shepherd's cage. Dangerous growls filled the room.
     
    "Sam, I can't let you do that." He sighed. "He's dangerous. I can't have that on my conscience."
     
    "Well, I don't think he is. But, if you give us a chance and it turns out he doesn't improve or gets worse then...then you can put him down."
     
    Standing up, the vet snorted, his hands on his hips, staring at her in concern. "At that point, no one will be able to get close enough and we'll have to shoot him."
     
    Some truth existed in his words, but Sam wouldn't be swayed. Not now that she'd sensed a sign of weakening. "I'll need to borrow a cage to transport him." She double-checked the size of the dog. "And a hand to load him."
     
    "The only way I'll agree is if you keep him in his cage for at least another week." He reached out, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I'll come and see him then and re-evaluate. He's too dangerous to be free right now. He could hurt himself and anyone in the vicinity."
     
    Sam interrupted him. "Which is why my place works. There's no one around for miles." Tossing him a smile of thanks, Sam headed out to her pickup to make room in the box.
     
    Moving Soldier went well, with everyone's help. Once Sam made it on the road, she kept checking the rearview mirror to make sure the cage hadn't shifted.
     
    Driving gave her time to think. Like about the name and phone number Detective Sutherland had left behind, with a casual comment. "He's a strong psychic whom I've worked with in the past. Call him if you need someone to talk to."
     
    Then he'd left, seemingly not realizing what a bombshell he'd left behind. Sam had snatched up the paper, read the name Stefan , then tucked the information away in her purse. She'd wanted to grab the cell phone and call right away, but hadn't a clue what to say. Now, excitement bubbled in the back of her mind. Terrifying her with the possibilities. She hadn't been able to call yet. In truth, she'd rather have Brandt with her when she made contact. Less awkward that way.
     
    Sad to say, but this had gone a long way to improving her opinion of this particular detective. She wrinkled up her face at another truth. To have the handsome detective believe her would be great. To earn his respect, now that would be a bonus. There was just something about that look in his eyes. As if he cared. As if he cared about her .
     
    How sexy was that? To actually know that someone was listening, paying attention. Just his focus on her with such intensity made shivers go up her spine. His dynamic features, so alive and always shifting, intrigued her. But then so did his lean muscles cording his neck and forearms.
     
    Goose bumps raised on her arms, even though she drove in the heat of the melting sun. For the first time that she could remember, she'd found a man that intrigued her. She grimaced. That a cop had been