Page 108 of The Search

Easy to say, she thought as she slowly sat up in bed. How could she help thinking about those poor kids? The events of yesterday were rushing back to her with every sickening detail, clear and dagger sharp.

Like the knife in Chavez’s back.

She shuddered as a chill iced through her. Five lives wasted for no reason other than the desire to draw her to Apache Lake. How could anyone do that?

But he had done it. And he had gotten away with it.

Suddenly the chill was gone, replaced by burning anger.

Son of a bitch. Son of a bitch. Son of a bitch.

No way, you bastard.

13

Sarah, dressed in khaki shorts and a T-shirt, walked out of the bathroom twenty minutes later.

Galen looked up from the stove at her. “I still have to make the gravy and biscuits.”

“Where’s Logan? I thought he was going to cook breakfast.”

“Get real.” His expression was pained. “Much as I’d like to have Logan wait on me, there’s no way I’d sacrifice my digestive system. Over the years I’ve become accustomed to fine cuisine.”

“So where is Logan?”

“Outside with Monty.”

“I thought Monty would be with Maggie.”

“He’s sulking. He doesn’t like the rapport I’ve developed with his lady friend.”

“What?”

“He’s afraid Maggie likes me best. She totally ignored him when I was changing her bandage and feeding her. Anyone could see she’s besotted with me.” He shook his head as he added a flour mixture to the hot skillet, then he winked at her. “Just joking. It took me a long time to get her to stop howling while you two were gone. I think she’s in a snit and playing hard to get with him. Of course, I could be wrong. My modesty gets in the way at times, and I—” He broke off, studying her. “You look better than you did last night but still pretty grim.”

“I feel pretty grim.”

“Then go talk to Logan. I need calm and good thoughts to reach sublimity in cooking.”

“Did Logan tell you that Smith had been killed?”

“Oh, yes, and I had some grim thoughts myself.” He stirred the gravy. “But after I put some wheels in motion, I felt much better.”

“What wheels?”

“Determining and then verifying who was the logical person with Rudzak at Apache Lake. It’s always necessary to be sure before action is taken.” He opened the oven to check on the biscuits. “It was almost certainly Carl Duggan.”

“How can you be sure?”

“I have great contacts. Everybody loves me. Did I mention that?”

“I got the gist. And what action are you planning on taking?”

He said softly, “Why, an eye for an eye. What else?”

She had a sudden memory of him running through the jungle, as much a predator as Maggie ever could be. She didn’t find the idea repulsive. It would be a clean kill and well deserved. Not like Rudzak, who—

“You’re thinking bad thoughts again.” He clucked reprovingly. “I told you I couldn’t tolerate that. Go out and talk to Logan. I’ll call you when breakfast is ready.”