Page 116 of The Search

A pause. “Are you going to tell me what’s happening?”

“As soon as you get here. But bring Joe if you can. Though I probably shouldn’t tell you to do that. He’s going to make you get right back on a plane to Atlanta as soon as I tell him about Rudzak.” She rubbed her temple. “Well, maybe he should. We’ll leave it up to him.”

“You’re being as clear as mud.”

“That’s what I’m wading in. I want you to know if you decide not to help me that it’s okay. I’ll understand and you mustn’t feel obligated to—”

“Shut up. I’ll call you when I find out when my plane will arrive in Phoenix.” Eve hung up.

Sarah headed for the door to the living room. It was done. Now to find Galen.

But the living room was empty. “Galen!”

“Out here,” he called from the back porch. “I’ve just fed Maggie.”

“I called my friend Eve, and she’s—” Her jaw dropped as she stopped in the doorway. Galen was sitting on the floor close to Maggie and her head was on his thigh. “That’s a good way to lose a body part. One you may treasure highly.”

“We understand each other.” Galen stroked Maggie’s head. “We talked it over and decided we’re a lot alike. Isn’t that right, Maggie?”

“How are you alike?”

“Same background. From the cage, to the wilds. Same instinct for survival.” He winked. “And we’re both so damn smart, it’s enough to stun the senses.”

“I’ll brace myself against the shock. Will you please shift a few feet away from her? You may understand each other, but I’m the one who brought her home and I’m responsible for any damage she might do.”

“If it makes you feel better.” He carefully moved his leg from beneath Maggie’s head so he wouldn’t jar her, then continued to stroke her. “You do know that I have to leave this beauty and go to Dodsworth? My job is there now.”

She nodded. “I called someone to take care of her. Eve Duncan and Joe Quinn are coming today.”

“Indeed? It’s going to be a bit cozy in this little cabin, isn’t it?”

“I want to make sure you’re not pulling your men away from here. I want Eve and Joe protected.”

“I was going to send them to Dodsworth.”

“Get someone else. Logan has plenty of money.”

“Money can’t buy training and the skill to—” He grinned. “What am I talking about? Of course it can. Isn’t it lucky that I already have enough men at Dodsworth?”

“Then why were you giving me a hard time?”

“I felt obligated to try to get you to stay here. Logan does pay me, and it’s what he wants.”

“Where is Logan?”

“Out for a run with Monty. I think he needed to blow off a little steam after he left you.”

She started to leave, then stopped. “You might call Franklin and tell him that I’m going to leave within the next fifteen minutes and head for Logan’s house in Phoenix.”

“Why?”

“I’ll be closer to Bassett and I can wait there until he finishes his work. Logan appears to think he’s important to Rudzak.”

“You could wait here.”

“It’s also closer to the airport. I want to pick Eve and Joe up.”

“Let one of my guys do it.”