Page 34 of The Search

“And what direction are we taking?”

“East.” Logan was putting out the fire. “We should reach the search area by noon. After that, it’s up to you and Monty.”

“Right. Do you have anything belonging to Bassett?”

“Margaret expressed me an old baseball cap he’d left in his locker at the Silicon Valley plant. But he hasn’t been home in six months. Will the scent still be strong enough?”

“Probably. But couldn’t Castleton have gotten you something down here belonging to him?”

“No.” Logan turned away. “That wasn’t an option.”

“Why wasn’t it—”

“Does Monty eat this early?”

She shook her head. “He can do that after we’ve been on the trail for a while.”

“Then let’s get going.”

No question about breakfast for her. He was as cold and efficient as a surgeon’s scalpel and she didn’t like the fact that he hadn’t told her earlier about the decoy camp. “Do you suppose I could brush my teeth and go to the bathroom?”

The sarcasm didn’t faze him. “If you hurry.”

She stiffened when she saw his gaze go to the trees at the edge of the clearing. “What are you looking at? Do you think someone’s watching us?”

“No, Galen reconnoitered the area before he set up camp, and he didn’t think it was necessary to take turns on guard duty last night.”

She hadn’t been aware there had even been a discussion about setting up guards. She had thought they were safe for at least that one night. “Then why are you behaving as if you think someone is—”

“It doesn’t hurt to be careful. Rudzak seldom does the expected.” He moved toward the trees. “But this time neither are we.”

They stopped to eat at ten and reached the search site at twelve forty-five. By that time Sarah’s shirt was plastered to her body with perspiration, but Monty was still moving swiftly. She gave him his third bowl of water and sank down beside him as he drank it.

“We need to hurry.” Logan had come back to stand beside her.

“Fifteen minutes. Monty needs rest.” She took off her backpack, then took a drink of water herself. “From now on we’ll be leading, not following. Give me Bassett’s cap.”

He reached into his pack, pulled out a faded Giants ball cap, and tossed it to her.

She put it aside and dug into her pack for the canvas utility belt. It was a little large, and she took out her knife and cut additional holes. Then she got out Monty’s leash and tossed it on top of the utility belt.

“Why do you need the utility belt?” Logan asked.

“I probably won’t need it this time, but I always wear it when I’m on a search. When I put it on, it’s a signal to Monty that we’re going to go to work.” She leaned back against a tree. “I’d advise you to rest. If Monty catches the scent, we’ll stop only to give him water.”

He sat down across from her and took off his hat. “Okay, I could use some rest.”

He didn’t look tired. He looked tough as hell. His shirt was as damp with perspiration as hers was, but she could feel the waves of energy and tension he was emitting. Was the tension caused by fear? Maybe. But if he was afraid, he wouldn’t give in to it. He was totally relentless as he had led her through the jungle.

She stroked Monty’s head. “You set a pretty hard pace.”

“I told you we were in a hurry.” He smiled sardonically. “I’m sorry if you were disappointed. I know you would have enjoyed leaving me in the dust.”

“You’re in good shape,” she said grudgingly.

“It must be all that tennis at the country club.”

“Maybe.” At that moment she couldn’t imagine him in a country-club setting. He looked more like a scruffy gunrunner than a tycoon. After a short silence she asked, “What’s Galen up to?”