Page 97 of The Search

The last rays of the setting sun were casting scarlet streaks over the lake and Monty still hadn’t indicated a find.

“Does Monty need to go ashore again?” Chavez asked.

“I don’t think so.” Monty’s concentration was so intense on water searches that he had to take frequent breaks to prevent burning out. “It’s been only about forty minutes.”

“It seems longer.”

It seemed longer to her too. Time was dragging as the tension built.

“Should we go in and start again tomorrow?” Chavez asked.

“No, not unless we’ve covered all the territory. Darkness doesn’t make any difference to Monty.”

“I hoped you’d say that. I want to go back and tell those parents we searched the entire area and didn’t find anything.” He guided the boat out farther into the water. “I’ll stay as long as you will. But are you sure Monty can tell if there’s anyone under the water?”

“As sure as I can be,” she said tersely. “If you didn’t think Monty could do it, why did you send for me?”

“Sorry.” He held up his hands. “I don’t know much about the technicalities of water rescue. I just wanted to do what I could for those parents.”

“I know.” She rubbed the back of her neck. “I guess I’m kind of tense. Maybe they’re not in the lake. God, I hope not.”

“But if they’re here, Monty will find them? How does he do it?”

“The body of a drowning victim releases invisible skin particles. The particles have their own vapors and oil and gas secretions that are lighter than water and rise from any depth to the surface. The minute they come into contact with air, the particles form the narrowest point of a widening scent cone. Monty will recognize the cone and follow it back to the area of heaviest concentration.”

“Incredible.”

“Training. Monty and I spent an entire summer learning how to locate underwater victims. We were both pretty waterlogged by the time we got it right.” She patted Monty’s head. “He is pretty incredible. His ability to pick up a scent is fifty-eight times greater than any human’s and his sensitivity to particular molecules may be thousands of times greater.”

“Impressive. Then, if he doesn’t find a scent, we can assume they’re not here?”

She shook her head. “If there’s heavy algae, it could trap the scent. Layers of cold water can do the same thing. There are other factors that can interfere, but Monty’s been able to locate the—”

Monty barked.

“Shit.” So much for hoping those kids were safe.

Monty began running back and forth in the boat, his head down, pointing at the water.

“He’s found something.” Her hand tightened on the leash. “Cut the motor and let the boat drift.” When Chavez obeyed, she sat still, watching. Monty was excited, but he hadn’t found the source yet. “Start the motor, but keep it very slow. Go first to the right and then to the left.”

When they’d turned left and gone a few yards, Monty went crazy. He strained at the leash, trying to paw and nip at the water.

“Here.” She swallowed to ease the tightness of her throat. “Throw out a buoy to mark the spot.”

Mark the spot. Mark this spot so those parents could find their children. Lately it seemed as if she always had to just mark the spot and go on.

“Are you okay?”

Her gaze left the yellow buoy floating on the water to see Chavez staring at her sympathetically. “I’m fine.” She smiled crookedly. “No, I’m lying. I was hoping I wouldn’t find anything. Let’s get out of here. I’m having trouble holding Monty.”

“You warned me he’d try to jump in the water.” He started the motor. “Do you need my help?”

“No. As soon as the excitement passes, he’ll realize they’re dead and he can’t save them.”

And neither could she.

“It doesn’t have to be those kids,” Chavez said. “Couldn’t it be an animal or—”