The Search (31 page)

"I don't want you here."

"Tough. You've got me." He brushed his lips on her temple. "My God, have you got me. Now relax. I don't want to do anything more than comfort you."

"I just want to go to sleep."

"And have nightmares?" He pushed her head into the hollow of his shoulder. "Talk it out."

"What do you want me to say? That three kids died because some maniac wanted to draw me into his damn web."

"That's not your fault. I thought we agreed that I was to blame for everything."

"I did what he wanted. He analyzed me like some Machiavellian shrink and then decided to kill innocent kids because that would make me do what he wanted. And he was right. He called and I came."

"What else could you have done? You went there to-- Stop crying. No, don't stop. It's probably good for you. It's just hell for me."

"It doesn't feel good for me. It hurts."

"That's because you don't do enough of it. You're out of practice. When's the last time you cried? When your grandfather died?"

"No, I promised him I'd be strong. It was when I found Monty at that police department in Italy."

"I should have known."

"Is Monty all right?"

"Monty's with Maggie."

"That's right, I forgot. But he usually senses when I'm sad and comes and sleeps by my bed."

"The poor mutt's hormones are raging. You'll have to make do with me."

"I'm glad he has Maggie. Maybe it will distract him from what happened tonight."

"It's you we're trying to distract."

"It shouldn't have happened. I try so hard to find the living and bring closure to the dead. It's what I do, what I am. And he used that and killed those kids." She was shaking. "He twisted everything I am and made it ugly and--"

"Shh."

"You just told me to talk."

"That's when you were making sense. There's nothing ugly or twisted about you. You're clean and beautiful and straight as an arrow. Ask me, I'm an expert on twisted and ugly. I've been there."

She shook her head.

"You don't believe me? It's true. I've done things that--" He stroked her hair. "You don't want to hear about me."

She did want to hear about him. It was important, she realized. When she had seen Logan at the rest stop, she had known then that everything concerning him was vitally important to her. If he died . . . She didn't want to think about that now. She was too confused and numb. She just wanted to be held by Logan and pretend the nightmare at Apache Lake had never happened.

"Go to sleep now," he said. "I'll stay awake and be here for you if you have a nightmare."

Had he read her mind? Did he know what a rare gift he offered her? Never in her life had she ever had anyone to keep the nightmares at bay. . . .

"Is she asleep?" Galen asked as Logan came out of the bedroom.

"Right now. I've got to get back. I promised I'd stay with her."

"She looked like hell."

"She went through hell." He went to the sink and got a glass of water. "Henry Smith is dead. Rudzak killed him."

Galen stiffened. "Why didn't you tell me right away? Franklin has been trying to reach him since you returned with Sarah."

"I'm telling you now. You couldn't do anything about it and she needed me." He drank the water. "Or someone."

"It was a trap?"

"Yes, and Rudzak used the death of three teenage kids to spring it. Do you know how that makes her feel?"

Galen's lips tightened. "I know how it makes me feel."

"Then make sure Dodsworth is ready. Or find Rudzak. He could have killed her tonight."

"But you came just in the nick of time?"

"No, I would have been too late if Rudzak had wanted to kill her. He didn't want her dead . . . yet."

"Then what was his little trap all about?"

"To let me know he could do it and to find out how high she was on his list of the things I value."

"And did he find that out?"

"Probably. If he was watching us. He's always been able to read me."

Galen lifted a brow. "And is she high enough on the list to be worth his while?"

"He struck pay dirt." Logan put the glass down and turned away. "So we've got to find the son of a bitch before he kills her. Because next time he'll do it."

Sarah was sleeping deeply, like a child after a hard day.

Logan stood staring down at her.

Tenderness. Protectiveness. Love. Passion. Fear.

She wasn't the first woman in his life. He had felt all these emotions before. But not like this. Not with this single-minded intensity and desperation. When had admiration and friendship become obsession?

It didn't matter. It was here, it had come.

And Rudzak knew it had come.

Sarah stirred and whimpered something in her sleep.

Nightmares? He had promised to keep the nightmares away.

He slipped into bed beside her and drew her into his arms. She felt soft and womanly, but he knew how strong she was. Strong and stubborn and yet terribly vulnerable and guarded. It was a wonder he had even gotten into her bed. It would be a superhuman task making her accept any other relationship. He would have to be careful not to rush her.

She whimpered again, and he brushed his lips across her brow.

"Shh, it's okay. I'm here. I'll never let anything hurt you." He drew her closer and whispered the words he knew she'd never believe if she was awake. "I'll always be here, Sarah."

Logan was still beside her when Sarah woke the next morning. His eyes were open and he was obviously wide-awake.

"Good morning." He planted a kiss on her forehead and sat up in bed. "You hit the shower while I go and see about breakfast."

"What time is it?"

"Nearly noon."

"I have to feed Monty and Maggie."

"Already done." He stood up. "I left you long enough to take care of Monty, and Galen had already fed Maggie. You'll be glad to know that Monty wouldn't let him feed him."

"But he let you feed him again."

"Don't be mad at him. I'm special. We've gone through a lot together. Santo Camaro, Taiwan, and then last night. It's natural that--" He stopped as he saw her expression change. "Don't think about it right now. Get your shower and something to eat." He grabbed his robe at the foot of the bed and left the room.

Easy to say, she thought as she slowly sat up in bed. How could she help thinking about those poor kids? The events of yesterday were rushing back to her with every sickening detail, clear and dagger sharp.

Like the knife in Chavez's back.

She shuddered as a chill iced through her. Five lives wasted for no reason other than the desire to draw her to Apache Lake. How could anyone do that?

But he had done it. And he had gotten away with it.

Suddenly the chill was gone, replaced by burning anger.

Son of a bitch. Son of a bitch. Son of a bitch.

No way, you bastard.

Chapter 13.

Sarah, dressed in khaki shorts and a T-shirt, walked out of the bathroom twenty minutes later.

Galen looked up from the stove at her. "I still have to make the gravy and biscuits."

"Where's Logan? I thought he was going to cook breakfast."

"Get real." His expression was pained. "Much as I'd like to have Logan wait on me, there's no way I'd sacrifice my digestive system. Over the years I've become accustomed to fine cuisine."

"So where is Logan?"

"Outside with Monty."

"I thought Monty would be with Maggie."

"He's sulking. He doesn't like the rapport I've developed with his lady friend."

"What?"

"He's afraid Maggie likes me best. She totally ignored him when I was changing her bandage and feeding her. Anyone could see she's besotted with me." He shook his head as he added a flour mixture to the hot skillet, then he winked at her. "Just joking. It took me a long time to get her to stop howling while you two were gone. I think she's in a snit and playing hard to get with him. Of course, I could be wrong. My modesty gets in the way at times, and I--" He broke off, studying her. "You look better than you did last night but still pretty grim."

"I feel pretty grim."

"Then go talk to Logan. I need calm and good thoughts to reach sublimity in cooking."

"Did Logan tell you that Smith had been killed?"

"Oh, yes, and I had some grim thoughts myself." He stirred the gravy. "But after I put some wheels in motion, I felt much better."

"What wheels?"

"Determining and then verifying who was the logical person with Rudzak at Apache Lake. It's always necessary to be sure before action is taken." He opened the oven to check on the biscuits. "It was almost certainly Carl Duggan."

"How can you be sure?"

"I have great contacts. Everybody loves me. Did I mention that?"

"I got the gist. And what action are you planning on taking?"

He said softly, "Why, an eye for an eye. What else?"

She had a sudden memory of him running through the jungle, as much a predator as Maggie ever could be. She didn't find the idea repulsive. It would be a clean kill and well deserved. Not like Rudzak, who--

"You're thinking bad thoughts again." He clucked reprovingly. "I told you I couldn't tolerate that. Go out and talk to Logan. I'll call you when breakfast is ready."

Logan was leaning against the fence, talking on his phone. He lifted his hand in greeting but kept on talking. Monty was lying at his feet until he saw Sarah, and then he leaped up and bounded toward her, his fluffy tail wagging his whole body in joyful greeting.

"Now you're happy to see me," she murmured as she crouched to pet him. "Where were you last night, when I needed you?"

But she had not really needed him. Logan had been there, holding her. Maybe Monty had derived the same comfort from being with Maggie.

"Is breakfast ready?" Logan had hung up his phone and was watching her and Monty.

"Not yet. I was disturbing Galen and he sent me to you."

"I'm surprised. It takes a lot to disturb Galen. But I'm glad he has his priorities straight."

"Who were you talking to?"

"Lieutenant Carmichael. He's sending someone to take your statement this afternoon."

"Any word on Rudzak?"

"No."

She hadn't thought there would be. "What about the kids? How did they die?"