Page 126 of The Search

“I don’t want to—”

“What about all those people at Dodsworth? Have you forgotten you may have to blow the whistle on me?”

“I haven’t forgotten.”

“Then go and make sure Galen is doing his job. I’ll be there as soon as Margaret takes a turn for the better.”

Dammit, he was in pain and she didn’t want to leave him. She wanted to hold him and get him through this horrible night as he had held her after Apache Lake.

“Rudzak is going to be at Dodsworth, Sarah. I couldn’t be more sure. And I don’t need you or want you here.” He left the room.

She caught up with him halfway down the corridor. “Don’t you dare try that bull with me.” She spun him around, her arms around his waist, and she hugged him with fierce strength. “I won’t let you. You do want me here. I know you care something about me and I could help you.” Her arms fell away from him. “But I’m going to Dodsworth. To make sure nothing happens to those people so you won’t end up feeling guilty for the rest of your miserable life.” She stepped back. “I’m going to Bassett’s room. Tell Galen to pick me up there.”

The ivory mirror was in the shape of an ankh. An asp was intricately carved around the teakwood handle. It had been his last present to Chen Li.

It would be his last present to Logan.

“An ankh?” Chen Li held up the mirror. “It’s the symbol of immortality, isn’t it?”

“That’s why I brought it to you. To show you that you’ll live forever.”

She made a face. “I don’t feel immortal at the moment, Martin. Though I’m much better than I was last week. Maybe I am getting well after all.”

She wasn’t getting well. Sitting there in that chair by the window, she looked thin and weak and pale. She would never be the same Chen Li again. Death was stealing her from him just as Logan had stolen her. And Logan would keep her his until the very end, giving her hope and yet telling Rudzak that she was not well enough to see him. “Did you go to sleep early last night? Logan said I couldn’t come in.”

She looked away. “I was a little tired.”

“The weariness will go away soon.” He stepped behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. “This mirror is very special. It belonged to a high priest. It will make you live forever.”

“Perhaps we should tell my doctors about it. They could use a little help.” She leaned forward and his hands fell away. She was trying to avoid his touch, he realized with incredulous fury. She was already lost to him.

But he could get her back. He could take her away from Logan.

“Let’s try it,” he said. “Look in the mirror.”

“I don’t like what I see in any mirror these days.”

“But you should. You’re beautiful.”

“Yes, sure. That’s what John says.”

He didn’t want to hear what Logan said. This moment was his alone. “Because it’s true.” He bent over her and put his hands on her nape. “You can see it in my eyes. Look in the mirror. If you won’t look at your reflection, look at mine and you’ll know that you’ll live forever and always be as beautiful as you are to me at this moment. Lift the mirror.”

She slowly lifted the mirror. “Why, Martin, what’s wrong? There are tears in—”

The mirror fell from her hand as he snapped her neck with one violent twist.

“Good-bye, Chen Li.” He tenderly kissed her cheek, then picked up the mirror. “Good-bye, my love.”

He tucked the tissue paper carefully around the mirror and placed it in the box. He slipped the note he’d written on top of the mirror and closed the lid.

He addressed the box to Sarah Patrick at Dodsworth.

Municipal Courthouse

Dodsworth, North Dakota

Had he heard something?