Page 134 of The Search

“You can’t go down there, Sarah. That’s what Rudzak wants.”

“Watch me.”

Galen’s hand closed on her shoulder. “I promised Logan that I’d get you out of here.”

“Then you lied through your teeth, because I won’t—”

Darkness.

12:05 A. M.

“You’re being very docile, Logan,” Rudzak said. “I wonder why.”

“It could be the gun in your hand.”

“Yes, that would have a dampening effect. Then there’s the fact that your feet and hands are tied up. And you’re lying on the floor like an animal ready for slaughter.”

“Or it could be that this building is crawling with security men and one of them will come bursting in here any minute and butcher you.” Logan smiled. “I’m visualizing that possibility with great pleasure.”

“I’d kill you first.” He smiled back. “But that’s not going to happen. I’ve planned this too well. We’ll just wait for your Sarah and then begin. I’m hoping the blast won’t kill you immediately, but it probably will. If the blast doesn’t kill you, then you’ll still be crushed. I had Duggan plant the explosives at the top of those columns. The girders holding up this section of the building will topple like dominos.”

“Another tribute to Chen Li.”

“The last one.”

“No, you’ll be the last one. They’ll catch you and send you back to prison. You’ll die there.”

Rudzak shook his head. “I’ll get away from here the same way I got in—through an old trapdoor leading to a drainage tunnel beneath the building. I have a plane waiting for me at a small airport outside town. I’ll be gone before anyone bothers to look for me. They’ll be too busy trying to dig your body out of the wreckage.”

“Don’t count on it. Galen’s smart and he’s my friend.”

“I was very tempted to include Galen in my plans, but it wasn’t practical. Perhaps I’ll have a chance at him later.” He checked his watch. “Bassett is being very slow.”

“Maybe he’s tipped his hand. Sarah’s not stupid.”

“No, but Bassett says she likes him, and it’s hard to suspect people you like.” He smiled again. “You liked Bassett too, didn’t you?”

“Wouldn’t he have been here already if something hadn’t gone wrong? Galen was ordered to clear the building. That would include Bassett. If Bassett objected, it would have sent up a red flare. Galen’s not like Sarah, he suspects everyone.”

Rudzak frowned. “You’re trying to make me uneasy. Are you willing to give up your final moments to save the woman?”

Logan didn’t answer.

“Maybe you are. You always were a fool.” His frown cleared. “I’ll wait a little longer. It may be worth it.”

“Good.” Push him, make him uncertain, make him uneasy. And hope Galen managed to get Sarah out of the facility. “Every minute you spend here will make it easier for Galen to catch you.”

Rudzak hesitated and then shook his head. “We’ll wait.”

Five minutes.

Ten minutes.

Logan was staring at him. Where was his fear? Rudzak had wanted him afraid. Would he be afraid at that final moment?

And where was Bassett?

“He’s not coming.” Logan was reading his expression. “But Galen will come. He should be wondering now where I am.”