Page 26 of The Search

“Shh.”

But Sarah didn’t wake, and even in slumber she was curled up in a defensive position, her muscles locked and stiff.

Search and rescue. What made anyone embrace a career that involved not only danger but constant despair? All the dossiers and reports in the world never really told you what made a person tick. Logan knew Sarah was strong, smart, streetwise, and had a wicked sense of humor with everyone but him. But he was beginning to realize that there might be a whole lot more beneath that tough facade. What kind of woman was Sarah Patrick?

Well, he was not likely to find out. She was wary and he had established himself firmly in the enemy camp. What the hell. It didn’t matter. He didn’t have to know her. It was better if he didn’t. He had learned a long time ago that it was dangerous to get close to people in dangerous situations. It hurt too much if you lost them.

Chen Li.

He shunted the thought back into the darkness, where it belonged. He had been younger, less experienced then. This situation didn’t have to end as that one had. Sarah Patrick wasn’t Chen Li.

He could keep Sarah alive.

Santo Camaro

“This is Sarah Patrick,” Logan told Castleton at the airport. “Ron Castleton. He works for me.”

“Don’t we all,” she murmured. She gestured and Monty jumped into Castleton’s car. “How do you do, Mr. Castleton. This is Monty. I don’t have any health papers for him. Are we going to have any trouble with the authorities?”

Castleton was staring wide-eyed at the dog. “What’s happening here? If I’d had any warning, I could have—”

“We won’t need papers,” Logan said. “We’ll be in and out before anyone knows we’ve arrived.”

“And what if we aren’t?”

“I’ll take care of it.” Logan got into the front passenger seat. “Have you heard from Galen?”

“He’s at the facility. He said you’d want to start out right away.”

“He’s right.” He looked at the sky, which was already darkening to twilight. “But we should probably wait until morning. Did you hear any more from Rudzak?”

“Not since I left the money where he told me.” He glanced sideways at Logan. “But he has informants everywhere. He’s probably got someone watching us now.”

“Then let’s get moving.”

Castleton started the car. “The dog’s a dead giveaway. He’ll know you’re trying to find Bassett. He has contacts who can trace—”

“That’s why we have to move quickly.”

“Did you get the supplies on the list I made out?” Sarah asked.

Castleton frowned. “What supplies? I didn’t receive any list.”

“Galen has the supplies, Sarah,” Logan said. “I had Margaret call him while he was on the road and give him your list.”

“I don’t like bringing a woman into this.” Castleton looked over his shoulder at Sarah. “Has Logan explained how dangerous this situation is? I hope you know what you’re getting into.”

She didn’t really know anything, dammit. “Thanks for your concern, but we’ll be okay.” Although Castleton wasn’t making her feel any better. And the heat . . . it was going to make the search twice as difficult. It was hard to breathe and Monty was already panting. She reached down and stroked Monty’s head. “I think it’s time for a clip, boy.”

“We don’t have time,” Logan said.

“I’m not suggesting taking him to a groomer. I’ll do it myself.” Her lips thinned. “I won’t take him into the jungle until he’s more comfortable. He’s a long-haired dog and we don’t know how much time this search will take.”

“If it takes enough time for the heat to cause him a problem, then we’re in trouble.”

“It’s causing him trouble now. I’m clipping him.”

Logan opened his mouth to protest and then thought better of it. “Okay, we’ll work around it.”