Page 122 of The Search

The comb wasn’t for Sarah.

“Any news of the kid?” Margaret asked as she walked beside Sarah to the front door.

Sarah shook her head. “Galen’s men swear they didn’t see anyone near the house.”

“That’s good news.”

“It only means Rudzak’s smart. I can’t wait any longer. I’m going to drive out to the cabin to see Eve.”

“You can’t do any good there.”

“I can be there for her. For God’s sake, it’s almost dark and they found out she was gone this morning. I was hoping we’d hear something right away.”

“Wait a little longer,” Margaret coaxed. “We’ll go for a stroll with Bassett, and if Logan hasn’t found out anything by the time we return, you can scoot out of here and I’ll cover for you with Logan.”

“I don’t need anyone to cover for me.”

“Then you can cover for me for not doing my job and keeping your mind off Jane.”

“Is that what Logan told you to do?”

Margaret shook her head as she opened the door. “Some jobs are implied. There’s Bassett waiting already.”

Sarah shrugged. Another fifteen minutes would do no harm. “Okay, once around the grounds.”

“Super.” Margaret passed Bassett at a fast clip and started for the back of the house. “Get the load off, Bassett. Get that circulation moving.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Bassett winked at Sarah as he followed Margaret. “Here I go again. The woman’s the bane of my life.” He sobered. “Logan told me about the little girl. Have you heard anything?”

Sarah shook her head as she fell into step with him. “Galen flew to Atlanta this afternoon.” And he and Joe should be meeting by now.

“She may be okay. Kids are funny. Maybe she’s hiding or trying to make them worry about her.”

“That’s not Jane.”

“Well, maybe her grandmother is making—”

“Hurry up.” Margaret waved at a security guard standing by the front gate some distance away. “Hi, Booker. Did you ever see two worse wimps in your life than these two?”

The security guard grinned. “Do you really expect me to answer that?”

“Coward.” Margaret started to turn onto the path leading around the house. “Come on, exercise isn’t any good unless it raises your heart rate.”

“Coming.” Bassett’s pace quickened. “Right behind you.”

They weren’t right behind her. Margaret actually was yards ahead of them. She turned and gave them a scornful wave. “I told you that you had to hustle to—” She stiffened, her gaze on the front gate. “Booker?”

The wolf was howling again. Eve felt like howling too.

Oh, God, let Jane be all right.

Go check on Maggie, make sure she’s okay. It was something to do. She moved toward the back porch and stuck her head in the door. The wolf glared at her resentfully and raised her head to howl again.

“I can’t help you,” she whispered. “I can’t bring them back.”

And she couldn’t help herself.

Or Jane.