Page 58 of The Search

“She was dying. I didn’t want her hurt. And she didn’t argue. By that time she knew what you wanted from her. She didn’t want to see you.”

“You’re lying. It was you who—” He drew a deep breath, and when he spoke, the anger was gone. “I won’t let you upset me. I’m winning, Logan. I fooled you, didn’t I? You never expected Kai Chi. You thought I was in Colombia when I called you. I set the timer right after I talked to you on the phone.”

“You’re right, I never expected even you would be this sick. You won’t fool me again.”

“Don’t be so certain. I found it interesting that you brought Sarah Patrick with you to Kai Chi.”

“She brought me. This is her job.”

“Then it’s doubly interesting. You two seem to be walking the same path, don’t you? By the way, do you know that I still have eight more of Chen Li’s artifacts?” He hung up.

Logan wanted to lie down again and shut the world out, but he had to call Galen. Galen had to know so he could try to protect—

Protect what? Who? Where was Rudzak going to strike next?

“I’ve been wondering when you were going to call me.” Galen’s voice was uncharacteristically sober when he answered the phone. “You didn’t tell me you were going to Kai Chi.”

“I didn’t want it to be true. I wanted it to be an act of God, not Rudzak. But I knew that wasn’t likely.”

“It was Rudzak?”

“Yes, I went looking and found another of Chen Li’s artifacts and some blasting caps on the mountain where the slide started. Christ, I was hoping I wouldn’t find it. But when I saw that mountain of mud, I knew. It couldn’t be a coincidence. Everything came together. Funeral gifts.”

“Funeral gifts?”

“Pharaohs were entombed with the treasures they held precious in life. Chen Li loved her collection. If it couldn’t be buried with her, why not use it to honor her passing?”

“Are you guessing?”

“I was until Rudzak just called me and confirmed it. He’s got some twisted idea that all these deaths are a tribute to Chen Li.”

“So he killed four at Santo Camaro and over five hundred there?”

“In several ancient civilizations it wasn’t uncommon for the servants and wives to die with the ruler. Rudzak wouldn’t see the difference. Even if he did, it wouldn’t matter to him.”

“Shit.”

“I didn’t expect Kai Chi. I never thought about it happening here. I don’t want to make another mistake like that.”

“Don’t be an ass. How could you know?”

“From now on I have to know. He reminded me that he still has eight more artifacts to spread around.”

“Your plants?”

“Maybe.” He paused. “And he mentioned Sarah.”

“Are you going to tell her about the mudslide?”

“And have her hate me more than she does right now?”

“You didn’t cause that slide.”

“Keep telling me that. I need to hear it. Get back to me if you spot anything that’s even a little suspicious.” He hung up.

He lay back down on the cot. He should try to rest though he knew he wouldn’t be able to.

You were probably lying awake, staring into the darkness. Isn’t that what guilty men do?