Necessary Evil Read Online Free PDF

her sister's situation. Perhaps not. They crossed over Wispit Creek on a small bridge. He took in the pleasant fragrance of Jessie's hair and secretly enjoyed the way she tossed it to keep it out of her eyes. After helping Claudie out of the truck, he offered Jessie a hand.
    "You're trying to decide if I'm a human being or a cop?"
    "No. I think that's your question."
    He walked to the back of the truck to lift out the foal. Its wobbly legs went in every direction as Kier carried him into a hay-covered stall in the barn.
    "What did you mean by that?" she said as she followed him to the barn.''Do you have something against federal agents or just women?"
    "How long have you been worried about it?"
    "I'm not worried about it."
    ''Am I right that shoving people around, shootouts and the like doesn't detract at all from your personhood?"
    She stood openmouthed. "Well, that's hardly—"
    "Good, then I guess it's not a problem."
    Instinctively he knew that she cared what he thought of her. He hadn't figured out why. Maybe it was the reason he seemed to be talking so much. As the women stood in the doorway, watching the storm, the mare arrived. With the women looking on, and holding lights, he began the tedious job of dressing the wounds.
    An hour later, his back hurting, he joined Jessie and Claudie at the barn door. The snow had grown alarmingly deep already.
    As he reached for his bag, he looked over his left shoulder and across the barn to a head peering around a pile of five-gallon plastic containers. Kier looked into the dark eyes of Turtleneck, the Donahues' pet llama. As always, Kier silently cussed his failure to save the animal's mother. Tentatively, the young creature walked across the board floor, coming to see Kier.
    She was a pleasant diversion from all the troubles of the day. He stripped off his rubber gloves, stroking the rich woolly coat of her back, and in turn she offered her nose and nuzzled his hand. Knowing that she was being weaned from the bottle, Kier hummed a Tilok chant and let her suck on his finger. The furling tongue felt like caterpillars.
    Jessie came over. She too began petting the llama. Glancing out of the corner of his eye, Kier noticed a nervous little smile. He would wait for her to speak. Evidently she had the same idea, because the llama was basking in the quiet chant and all the attention.
    She cleared her throat. He remained impassive, saying nothing as he rubbed the llama between its eyes.
    "I guess maybe we didn't get off on the right foot," she finally said.
    "Why is that?"
    "Well, the fender. And I guess you don't much care for FBI agents."
    "How do you feel about them?" he asked. "That's like asking how I feel about postmen. Some good, some not so good." She looked at him, apparently expecting some sign of agreement or understanding. He studied the llama's limpid eyes.
    "Well, for example, how do you feel about Indians?" she asked.
    "About like that. Some good, some not so good."
    "So do you think maybe we could start again?"
    "You gonna be a postman or an Indian this time?" She breathed as if to speak, then paused, unsure. He gave her a rare smile. "I'm more or less just kidding you."
    "Oh." She looked nonplussed. "Well, it certainly worked."
    "Look, I'm pleased to meet you." He extended his hand. "I think women as attractive as you make me nervous. To be honest."
    Jessie shook his hand gamely. "Will you be staying for a while? I mean with the blizzard and the pass and everything? Claudie and I would like some company. I'm visiting over Thanksgiving, trying to help Sis with all she's got going. This shingles is a weird disease. Anyway, will you stay?"
    "Really, I ah . . . well, I think I better go. I have a cabin, and I have a little building project there." He was amazed and irritated at how nervous he felt. Leaving sounded good and bad all at the same time. "Actually, I've gotta be on my way."
    "Okay," was all she said. But it was at that moment that he realized something was wrong.