The Search (34 page)

"Out here," he called from the back porch. "I've just fed Maggie."

"I called my friend Eve, and she's--" Her jaw dropped as she stopped in the doorway. Galen was sitting on the floor close to Maggie and her head was on his thigh. "That's a good way to lose a body part. One you may treasure highly."

"We understand each other." Galen stroked Maggie's head. "We talked it over and decided we're a lot alike. Isn't that right, Maggie?"

"How are you alike?"

"Same background. From the cage, to the wilds. Same instinct for survival." He winked. "And we're both so damn smart, it's enough to stun the senses."

"I'll brace myself against the shock. Will you please shift a few feet away from her? You may understand each other, but I'm the one who brought her home and I'm responsible for any damage she might do."

"If it makes you feel better." He carefully moved his leg from beneath Maggie's head so he wouldn't jar her, then continued to stroke her. "You do know that I have to leave this beauty and go to Dodsworth? My job is there now."

She nodded. "I called someone to take care of her. Eve Duncan and Joe Quinn are coming today."

"Indeed? It's going to be a bit cozy in this little cabin, isn't it?"

"I want to make sure you're not pulling your men away from here. I want Eve and Joe protected."

"I was going to send them to Dodsworth."

"Get someone else. Logan has plenty of money."

"Money can't buy training and the skill to--" He grinned. "What am I talking about? Of course it can. Isn't it lucky that I already have enough men at Dodsworth?"

"Then why were you giving me a hard time?"

"I felt obligated to try to get you to stay here. Logan does pay me, and it's what he wants."

"Where is Logan?"

"Out for a run with Monty. I think he needed to blow off a little steam after he left you."

She started to leave, then stopped. "You might call Franklin and tell him that I'm going to leave within the next fifteen minutes and head for Logan's house in Phoenix."

"Why?"

"I'll be closer to Bassett and I can wait there until he finishes his work. Logan appears to think he's important to Rudzak."

"You could wait here."

"It's also closer to the airport. I want to pick Eve and Joe up."

"Let one of my guys do it."

She shook her head. "I want to talk to her and Joe at the airport. They might decide to get right back on a plane."

"And if they don't, you'll bring them here?"

"No, I'll send them. As you pointed out, there's not much room here."

"Logan's going to be right on your heels."

"I'm not trying to run away from him. He can come with me if he likes. I'm going to have to go after him to pick up Monty anyway."

"I'm sure he'll be grateful."

He wouldn't be grateful. He'd be impatient and probably angry that she had taken the initiative.

Eve set down the phone after making her flight reservations and crossed over to the window to look out at the lake.

Joe was strolling along the bank with Jane at his side. He was looking down at her, listening intently to something she was saying. It was a bittersweet fact that Jane had grown closer to Joe since Bonnie had been found. But the slight estrangement might be for the best. Eve would overcome the problem with Jane and then they would be a true family.

Perhaps as soon as she got back from Phoenix the three of them would take a little trip together. In a vacation atmosphere Jane might talk more readily to her and they could get misconceptions ironed out.

After Phoenix. What was happening to Sarah and why was Logan with her?

Something bad is coming.

Her gaze lifted to the hill across the lake. "I hope not, baby. I hope not."

Chapter 14.

Sarah and Logan met Eve at the Phoenix airport that evening. Joe Quinn was not with her.

Eve held up her hand when Sarah opened her mouth to protest. "Jane is disturbed enough. I didn't want to take Joe away from her."

"Do you have luggage?" Logan asked.

Eve shook her head as she knelt to pet Monty. "I hoped I wouldn't need more than my carry-on." She looked at Sarah. "Will I?"

"I don't think so." Sarah frowned. "I wanted you to bring Joe. Did you tell him--"

"I told him you needed me to wolf-sit." She smiled as she rose to her feet. "After all, that's all I know. Right?" She started for the exit. "He didn't like the wolf bit, but he would really have been worried if I'd told him you wanted me to have a bodyguard. Joe's a little protective."

Logan snorted. "A little?"

"Maybe more than a little. That's not a bad thing." She glanced at Logan. "You're pretty protective yourself. I'm surprised you let Sarah get into a mess that--"

"I had no choice." Logan took her carry-on. "But she has one right now, and if you can talk her out of going to Dodsworth, I'll put you both on a plane to Atlanta."

"Dodsworth?"

"I'm not going to Atlanta." Sarah looked him in the eye. "And it's a dirty trick to try to use Eve to change my mind."

"Not nearly as dirty as what you're going to find at Dodsworth."

Eve said, "It would be nice if you'd let me know what's going on."

"I will." Logan swung open the door of Sarah's jeep. "I'm dropping Sarah off at the Phoenix house and I'll drive you to the cabin. There will be plenty of time to fill you in on the way."

"I'll drive her," Sarah said. "I brought her here. I should be the one to explain what's happening."

"Too bad. Joe's not here to ride shotgun, so I take over," Logan said. "And I want you under lock and key until I get back." His lips twisted. "You're the one who wanted to stay on top of Bassett. Maybe you can push him to finish a little faster."

"Eve's more important."

"Yes, she is." He started the jeep. "And I'll take good care of her. Do you doubt it?"

Sarah looked from one to the other. She could almost see the bond of memories and experiences that linked them together. She slowly shook her head. "No, you always did take good care of her."

"Then trust me to care for her now."

Her gaze shifted to Eve. "If you think there's any hint of danger after Logan tells you about Rudzak, I want you to go home. Don't stay. Okay?"

Eve smiled. "Don't worry, I'm staying clear of trouble these days. Life's dealt me a very good hand lately. I want to savor every play."

But Eve had come when Sarah had asked. "Remember that when Logan tells you about Dodsworth."

Fifteen minutes later Sarah stood outside the Phoenix house and watched Logan and Eve drive out the electronic gates. They were chatting casually as old friends . . . or lovers always did. She felt suddenly empty and alone. It was dumb to stand there, looking after them.

She would call Eve at the cabin and talk with her. Perhaps she'd call Joe too, and tell him what was going on. She'd make that judgment after she talked to Eve.

Another judgment. She didn't want to weigh lives and choices. She wasn't Solomon. She was just a search and rescue operator who tried to do the best she could. How had she gotten roped into--

"Thank heaven someone else is here to take over baby-sitting." Margaret marched toward her across the foyer. "I've got a thousand things to do, and I'm stuck with Bassett."

"Has he been a problem?"

"I guess not. He just doesn't know what's good for him and he won't listen to me."

"I'll help all I can."

"Well, at least a little. Logan placed the responsibility on me and I won't shirk it." Her gaze scanned Sarah's face. "Things not so good with you?"

Sarah shook her head.

"Well, then it's just as well that you're here. Nothing like regular meals and exercise to keep your nerves in check. I'll go dig Bassett out of his lab and we'll all go for a brisk walk around the grounds."

"I don't need--"

But Margaret was gone. Sarah shook her head resignedly. It seemed she was being established firmly under Margaret's wing. She should never have admitted anything was wrong.

Bassett came down the hall a few minutes later. "Hi, I'm glad you came back. It gets kind of lonely here."

It was the first time she'd seen him. He had been in his laboratory when Logan and Sarah had dropped off their suitcases. His hair was tousled and there were circles beneath his eyes. Evidently he'd been burning the midnight oil.

"I don't see how anyone could be lonely with Margaret around," she said.

"She's a cross between a mother and a dictator. She makes me eat, go for walks, and constantly interrupts my work."

"Good for her."

"But I could use some company who doesn't nag me twenty-four hours a day."

"Well, you shouldn't be lonely long. Logan says you're almost finished and should be heading for Dodsworth soon."

He went still. "Logan told you about Dodsworth?" A smile lit his face. "I'm glad. I didn't like closing you out after you helped me, but it was necessary. Artificial blood is a prime target for industrial espionage and--"

She held up her hand. "I've been over that with Logan. As long as there's no danger of anyone at Dodsworth being hurt, I'm not going to blow the whistle."

His smile faded. "We all knew what we were getting into when we took the job."

"You didn't know about Rudzak."

"No, I guess I didn't, but I'd still hire on to get in on the ground floor of this research."

"How close are you to completing your notes?"

"At least another five days. I'm working as hard as I can, but there are only so many hours in the day."

Her gaze narrowed on his face. "And you haven't spent very many of them sleeping."

"I told you, it's my dream. Maybe you can understand now that you know how important the project is."

"I do understand." She shook her head. "But you don't have to kill yourself."

"I'll survive. People are dying every day who could live if we meet our goal. It's worth a little exhaustion." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I try to take a walk every day to work out the kinks and clear my head. Want to come with me?"

"I thought that was Margaret's job. I don't want to hurt her feelings."

He made a face. "I guess she can come with us. I like to amble and she sets a pace like a Nazi drill sergeant."

"I'll come if you can wait until I give Monty some water."

"I'll wait. Maybe we'll even have a real conversation." He leaned against the doorjamb. "You know, I get a little lonesome with no one to talk to. My wife says I'm way too gregarious for a scientist." He chuckled. "Which means she thinks I'm a chatterbox. I tell her my work is so solitary that the floodgates just break open when I leave the lab."

"How is your wife?"