The Search (5 page)

"Talk to them," Sarah said gently.

"No." Jane looked away from them and repeated, "It's Bonnie's time." She changed the subject. "May I go on ahead and take Monty out for a walk?"

"I think that would be a very good idea."

Sarah frowned, troubled, as she watched Jane run down the path toward the cottage.

"Will Monty go with her?" Logan asked.

She nodded. "He adores her. They got to know each other very well in Phoenix."

"You like her too. She's not the easiest kid to get to know."

"She may look like a kid, but she's more grown-up than most adults. That's what happens when you're raised in foster homes and on the streets." She nibbled at her lower lip. "She's right, isn't she? Having her here is going to be a strain on Eve and Joe."

"Probably. It seems Jane has good instincts." He was studying her face. "What are you thinking?"

"None of your business." They had reached the porch of the cottage. "Are you leaving now?"

"Not yet. I thought I'd leave for the airport after lunch. You're on the three o'clock flight, aren't you?"

"How do you know that?"

"Eve told me on the phone. She said they picked you up at the airport. Could I give you a lift?"

"Joe's going to drive me."

"But shouldn't he stay with Eve? It won't hurt you to occupy the same car with me. It's only an hour's drive."

It wouldn't hurt her, but she didn't want any favors from him.

It was as if he'd read her mind. "I'm not doing you any favors, Sarah. Considering your opinion of me, you should know better."

No, she could see Logan doing favors for Eve but not for her. Why should he? She didn't know why he had made the attempt to bridge the gulf between them, but it wasn't because he regretted what he had done. Logan never looked back after he had made a decision.

"Eve needs Joe right now," Logan said. "We both know it."

"And does that sting, Logan?"

"Would you feel sorry for me if it did?"

"Hell, no."

"I didn't think so. So do I take you to the airport?"

She shrugged. "Okay. I should leave by one."

He nodded. "I'll be ready. But shouldn't you be there earlier to board Monty in the cargo?"

"Monty always travels in the cabin with me."

"I thought only small animals or dogs for the blind were permitted in the cabin."

"He has special ATF clearance."

He smiled. "And if he didn't, you'd probably insist on traveling in the baggage with him."

"You've got it." Sarah opened the front door. "I'm going to start making sandwiches and coffee. There's Reverend Watson coming down the path. Why don't you make yourself useful, say something charming and send him on his way?"

"I'm surprised you think I'm capable of being charming."

Oh, he had never tried it on her, but she had seen him work that charisma. It was probably one of the more potent weapons in his arsenal. "Why should it surprise you?" As she entered the cottage, she glanced at him over her shoulder. "I understand that most of Germany's population thought Hitler was charming."

"Thanks for coming, Sarah." Eve sat down in the porch swing and looked out at the lake. "I know you're tired. But it meant a lot for me to have you here."

"Don't be silly. I wanted to come."

"I think Bonnie would have liked you to be here. After all, you did find her."

"We were lucky."

"Don't give me that. You worked your butt off."

"That doesn't always mean that Monty and I find what we're looking for." She studied Eve's face. "Is everything okay with you?"

"It will be soon. It feels very strange right now." Her gaze moved to the hill across the lake. "She's home now. That means everything. Even though she never really left me."

Sarah nodded. "Memories can be very precious."

"Yes." She smiled faintly. "But that's not exactly what I meant." She changed the subject. "I'm worried about Jane."

"I thought you would be."

"Most of the time I think she's happy with us. She knows we love her." She sighed. "But Jane's not easy."

"The situation's not easy." Sarah paused. "How would you feel about Jane spending a few weeks with me at my cabin?"

Eve didn't speak for a moment. "Why?"

"A change will be good for her. She loves Monty and she likes me. I'd take good care of her."

"I know you would." She frowned slightly. "Has she talked to you about Bonnie?"

"The important question is if she's spoken to you about her."

"Not since you found Bonnie. I tried a couple of times, but she shuts me out. I've been hoping that time-- I don't know. It's hard for me to think right now."

"It's a period of adjustment for all of you. You've been obsessed for years with the thought of bringing Bonnie home. I know you're happy that she's here now, but it will be--"

"Jane thinks she's second best," Eve interrupted. "I tried to tell her how different-- She won't accept it. She's not resentful, but I can't talk her out of it."

"With her lousy childhood, it's possible you may never be able to convince her. But that doesn't mean you can't have a good life together."

"Don't tell me that. I want her to feel special. Everyone should feel special."

"Jane is special. She's tough and independent and smart as a whip. So smart she knows that you're confused and sad right now and she can't help you. It hurts her. Send her to me for a while, Eve."

"I'll think about it." Eve tried to smile. "I never thought I'd have this kind of problem adjusting when I found Bonnie. It's not that I'm not relieved, it's just . . ."

"You've lived your life a certain way because Bonnie was lost. Now she's found."

Eve nodded. "It will take a little time, but God, I'm lucky, Sarah. I've got Joe. Everything will fall into place as long as I have Joe." She reached over and took Sarah's hand. "And friends like you and Logan."

"Speaking of Logan, it's time I left for the airport. Where is he?"

"He walked down to the lake."

"Alone?"

Eve nodded. "Which is just as well. He and Joe are still not too friendly."

Sarah grinned. "Because you're such a femme fatale."

"Yeah, sure." She straightened her glasses and got to her feet. "Let's go find Jane and Monty. You'll have to pry her away from him."

"It won't be so bad if you tell her that she'll see him soon."

"I said I'd think about it." She made a face. "You're obstinate as hell, Sarah. What makes you so sure you're the best thing for Jane right now? If you get a call, you and Monty will be trekking off to some outlandish part of the world. What would you do with her?"

Sarah shrugged. "We'd make out."

Eve shook her head. "For that matter, what would you do if you had a child of your own? Talk about adjustments."

"I'd deal with the problem when I had to face it."

"Kids are more demanding than dogs."

"That's why I stick to dogs. I'm happy living just as I am. Can you imagine me with a husband and a bunch of kids?"

"No, not really. But it must be a lonely life."

"Why? I have Monty and my friends in the unit."

"Who you never see unless you're on some rescue mission."

"It's enough."

"Why is it enough? Why won't you get close to anyone?"

She smiled. "Eve, stop trying to make me into some kind of scarred drama queen. I'm not like you. I've no dark, brooding past. I'm just a normal woman who happens to be a little more selfish than most people. My life suits me just fine."

"And I'm to mind my own business."

"Do what you like. But you surprise me. You were once one of the most isolated women on the planet, and you think my lack of social interaction is a problem."

"Touche." Eve smiled. "I guess I just want everyone to be as happy as I've been lately."

"I'm happy as a clam." She tilted her head. "You know, I've always wondered about that phrase. How does anyone know how happy a clam is? And why should a clam be particularly happy?" She chuckled. "Okay, I'm as happy as Monty when he's getting his belly rubbed. It doesn't get any better than that."

Fifteen minutes to one. It was almost time to go.

Logan started back toward the cottage. He could see the shadowy figures of Sarah and Monty silhouetted in the windows. They looked like two fantasy figures on the cover of a novel.

But there was nothing fanciful about Sarah Patrick. Damn, she was hardheaded. She would neither forgive nor forget, and she was tying his hands. He had only another hour to find a way to get her help on a voluntary basis; after that he'd have to--

His digital phone rang.

"I've heard from Rudzak," Castleton said. "He wants to deal."

Logan's hand tightened on the phone. "Did you talk to Bassett?"

"Not yet. He says that all you have to do is come up with fifty thousand dollars and he'll let you talk to Bassett. I'm to leave the money at a drop near the research facility."

"And how much cash to release him?"

"He wants to negotiate that with you personally."

Logan had expected that. "Have you found out anything more about Rudzak's location?"

"I told you that you'd have to take care of that. I gave you a lead. Hasn't your man found Sanchez yet?"

"He's working on it, but it wouldn't hurt if he had help."

"Dammit, I'm doing everything I can on this end. When are you coming?"

"I'm leaving this afternoon."

"And what do I do about the money?"

"Give it to him. I've told Margaret to give you anything you need."

"It could be a bluff. Bassett could be dead."

"Give it to him."

"What if he doesn't let you talk to Bassett?"

"We'll worry about that when it happens."

Castleton paused. "I gave him your number when he asked me for it. I hope you don't mind."

"No, you did the right thing. If he wants to talk to me, make it easy. I want to keep on with the dialogue. The more we're in contact, the better our chance of finding out something."

"I think he's killed him, Logan. What if he's dead?"

"Then Rudzak will be dead too."

He hung up and shoved the phone into his pocket. He needed to get down to Santo Camaro. He had learned long ago that you played by the rules of the game in progress and this game was shaping up to be very nasty.