Page 128 of The Search

“What are you doing here?” Margaret’s voice was only a breath of sound, which he could barely hear from where he stood in the doorway.

He crossed the room and took her hand in his. “How are you feeling?”

“Like shit.” She glared at him. “And mad. Why are you here moaning and groaning instead of going after the asshole who shot me? Did you think I was going to die?”

“The thought never occurred to me.”

“Liar. But I’m not going to die and”—she had to pause to get her breath—“and I have enough problems with my brothers being overprotective. So get out of here.”

He stood looking at her.

“Okay, okay, I promise I won’t die, John.” She showed her teeth with tigerlike ferocity. “And instead of flowers, why don’t you send me Rudzak’s head?”

“I’ll do my best.”

“Good.” She closed her eyes. “Now get out of here. I’m tired.”

“Shall I call a nurse?”

“His head, John.” She didn’t open her eyes. “Stop standing there worrying and just get out of here and bring me his head.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He turned toward the door. “Right away, ma’am.”

7:45 P.M.

“Joe got here yesterday,” Eve told Sarah on the phone. “He’s going to be here as long as you need me. Do you have any idea yet how long that will be?”

“I wish I did.”

“No problem. I just like the idea of being home with my family.”

“Jane is okay now?”

“No thanks to me. She worked it out for herself . . . I think.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s funny how clear and simple everything is when you don’t let baggage get in the way. What are you doing there at Dodsworth?”

“Keeping myself busy.”

“Is the security as good as you hoped?”

“Better. And that bothers me. Why would Rudzak think he could take down this facility?”

“You’re afraid he’ll target another place?”

“I seem to be the only one. Galen and Logan think the stolen blueprints are cast-iron proof. I’m afraid it might be a red herring.”

“Logan’s nobody’s fool.”

“I know that. It’s just—” She stopped, frustrated. “I’m afraid we’re on the wrong track. It doesn’t smell right.”

Eve chuckled. “You sound like Monty on a search.”

“Monty’s usually right.”

“I’m the last one to disagree. You should follow your instincts. I’ve got to go. Time to feed Maggie.”