The Killing Game

  Damn right she was scared.

  No child.

  “I don't think so.”

  What should she do? Run? Face Madden?

  Even if she and Monty stayed away from the cabin for days, Madden would still be there when she got back. She knew from experience he was totally relentless.

  Okay, face him. She could always disappear later.

  She strode forward, Monty trotting anxiously beside her.

  Help?

  “No. It's okay.”

  Monty whimpered.

  “I said it's okay, dammit.”

  “Ms. Patrick?” A man was waiting by the cabin door. “I wonder if I can speak to you? My name is John Logan.”

  Not Madden.

  Monty started to wag his tail as he sensed her relief.

  “Always the optimist,” she murmured. “He could be a bill collector, you know.”

  “Ms. Patrick?”

  She strode toward him. “It's after nine at night, and Monty and I keep early hours. Call me in the morning.”

  “I've driven a long way, and I need to talk to you now.” He smiled. “I assure you I'm very respectable.”

  His clothes and shoes were impeccable, but so were a lot of drug dealers'. “I don't like people dropping by late at night.”

  “Eve said you were difficult.”

  She should have known. “Eve Duncan? She asked you to come?”

  “Not really. It was my idea, but she did ask for a little help.” He gazed admiringly at Monty. “Beautiful animal.”

  He was a beautiful animal himself. Sleek like a cougar. Cougars could be dangerous. “Yes, he is.” She opened the door. “And he's tired. Good night, Mr. Logan.”

  “Wait.” His smile faded. “Could I come in? I'm expecting a telephone call.”

  “On my phone?”

  “I took the liberty. It's from someone you know. Senator Todd Madden?”

  She froze.

  “May I come in?”

  She went into the cabin and slammed the door.

  He knocked. “It would really be better if I talk to you before he does. He strikes me as a man who could be very unpleasant when he's crossed.”

  Madden and everything connected to him was never pleasant. Calm down. Face the problem.

  She opened the door. “Come in.” She sat down in the rocking chair. “Get to the point and then get out.”

  “I'll be as quick as I can. Eve needs you to find a body buried somewhere in the area.”

  “Tell her to get someone else.”

  He shook his head. “She wants you. I can't blame her. I had my people do some research on you. You're quite remarkable.”

  “Am I?”

  “Your work in Oklahoma City was incredible. And that earthquake in Iran last year that killed two thousand—you managed to save twenty-seven people buried in the rubble.”

  “And found sixty-eight dead.”

  “You remember the number?”

  “I remember some of the numbers. I remember all the faces.”

  “Eve's not going to make you look at the face of this cadaver.”

  “I've always hated the word cadaver. It dehumanizes.”

  “All she wants you and Monty to do is locate the body. Then you can fade back into your little home in the desert.”

  “It's not that easy.”

  “You've worked with the police before on cadav—body searches. The Salt Lake City Police Department thinks very highly of you.”

  “Whoop-de-do.”

  He smiled. “Sergeant Levitz believes you can read that dog's mind. He said it's uncanny how you understand each other.”

  “Levitz isn't very bright. All dog owners will tell you their pet can almost talk. When you've been with someone as long as Monty and I, you learn to understand each other.”

  “Still, you'll admit it's an unusually strong bond.” He gazed at Monty, who was lying at her feet. “Even I can see that.”

  She didn't answer.

  “And you've been through a lot together.”

  “Yes. No body search.”

  He sighed. “We really need you. I'm afraid I'll have to insist.”

  “Screw you.”

  He checked his watch. “Is Madden very prompt? If so, he should be—”

  The phone rang.

  She picked up the receiver.

  “Is he there?” Madden asked.

  “He's here.”

  “He's a very important man, Sarah. He has a lot of political connections. I don't want to antagonize him, especially since pleasing him is such a simple matter.”

  “Simple for you.”

  “We've discussed this before. Logan assures me the task shouldn't take more than a day or two.”

  “That's too long. An hour is too long if it's not a case of life and death.”

  “I know you don't like cadaver searches, but it's necessary.”

  “How do you know it's not illegal?”

  A pause. “Logan is a respectable businessman.”

  With political connections. Sarah's hand tightened on the receiver. “I don't want to do this, Madden.”

  “But you will do it.” His voice lowered to a silky murmur. “Because you know the consequences if you don't, Sarah.”

  Son of a bitch.

  “Two days. I'll give them two days.”

  “That's all I promised Logan. Good-bye, Sarah. Good hunting.”

  He hung up.

  She turned to Logan. “Two days.”

  “Eve will be very happy.”

  “I don't give a damn if she's happy. I wish she'd never heard of me. I told her no and then she called you in to do her dirty work.”

  “Contacting Madden wasn't her idea. I didn't even tell her that Madden was the key. She wouldn't have used it. She just wanted me to find out if there was something she could offer you that would entice you to do the job.”

  “But you did use it.”

  “I'm more ruthless than Eve. I dug deeper and discovered a weapon in Madden. She wanted you, I got you.” He glanced around the cabin. “You don't have a TV or a radio?”

  “I don't need them.”

  “It keeps you a little uninformed.”

  “Blessedly uninformed.”

  “Eve mentioned she didn't see a TV.” He held out the manila envelope he'd been carrying. “I believe you should know who you're dealing with. This is a dossier on Eve Duncan and newspaper articles about Talladega and the murder of a security guard. It won't tell you everything, but it gives you a good starting place.”

  “I'm not interested in Eve Duncan unless it will get me out of this job.”

  He shook his head. “But it may make you more willing to do it. Eve's trying to save a child's life.”

  “By forcing me to find a dead body?”

  “Unfortunately.” He moved toward the door. “By the way, if I were you, I wouldn't call the police and tell them where to find Eve. That would make me angry and I'd have to call Madden. My impression is that he doesn't give a damn about anything except his career. Am I right?”

  “Police?”

  “Read the file.” He opened the door. “I'll tell Eve you're delighted to be of service.”

  She cursed.

  “Eve will be in touch.” His lips tightened. “Get the job done. I don't care if you like it or hate it.”

  Sarah watched the door close behind him. Her hands clenched into fists on the arms of the rocker. Keep your temper. Losing control won't do any good. It's only two days. Maybe there wasn't even a body.

  But if there was, Monty would find it.

  He whimpered and got to his feet, looking up at her.

  She bent down, put her arms around him, and buried her face in his coat. “I'm sorry, boy,” she whispered. She could feel tears sting her eyes. “We have to do it.”

  EVE RECEIVED A call from Sarah Patrick later that evening.

  “Logan told me you'll help. That's very kind of you.”

  “I want it over as soon as possibl
e,” Sarah said. “We'll start the search tomorrow. Do you have a general area?”

  “Maybe. I'm not sure. We may have to try a couple—”

  “You have two days,” Sarah said. “Try to get me a piece of the victim's clothing. Sometimes Monty responds more to the scent clinging to clothes than to a body.”

  “That may take a little while. I don't know if—”

  “It's up to you. I told you what I need. I don't care if we find her or not. I'd rather we didn't. After you've got the clothing, call me and I'll meet you at the search site.” She hung up.

  Eve sat there a moment and then dialed Logan. “What the hell did you do to Sarah Patrick?”

  “I got her to go to work for you.”

  “How? She was cold as ice.”

  “It's done. You have her for two days. Make use of her.”

  She should have known Logan would do whatever he had to do to make it happen. He'd been ruthless as hell in getting Eve to work for him. “I didn't want her hurt.”

  “She's not hurt. You're not hurt. And Jane isn't hurt. If you'll use Sarah instead of having qualms, you'll all stay alive and well. That's what's important, isn't it?”

  He's right, she thought wearily. That's what's important. “She wants an article of Debby Jordan's clothing. Do you suppose you could get it without breaking into her house and scaring her family?”

  “I'll manage. And no thanks are needed for my help with Sarah.”

  She felt ashamed. Why was she blaming Logan? She had made the call that had started him into action. Maybe she'd even subconsciously hoped that he'd go far beyond what she'd asked. “I'm sorry. I guess I'm a little discouraged. I don't know if Sarah will be able to find the body. I'm not sure where it's buried. I'm just taking my best shot.”

  “I'd like to go with you tomorrow. Any chance?”

  “You've already done too much. I won't have you seen with me.”

  “There's no such thing as doing too much.”

  “Tell that to Sarah Patrick. She's giving me two days.”

  “Try to make it within her framework. I'd prefer not to have to squeeze again. As I dodged insults, I actually found myself liking her.”

  “I don't think she reciprocates. I got the impression she'd just as soon bury both of us as find Debby Jordan.”

  “Since you won't let me come with you, you'll just have to deal with her. I'll have your article of clothing by tomorrow morning.”

  IT WAS A white baseball jersey with the Arizona Diamondback logo on the front.

  Sarah Patrick took the shirt without looking at it. “Has it been washed since she wore it?”

  “No, Logan said she slept in it the night before she disappeared.”

  “Then how did he get it?”

  “I didn't ask.”

  “He probably stole it from a bag for the homeless.”

  “He's not as bad as you think.”

  “No, he's probably worse.”

  “I was surprised you wanted the shirt. She's been buried for almost a month. The scent can't be—”

  “I could have used a substance that simulates the decay smell, but that would have upset Monty. Not that the shirt may do any good anyway.” She shrugged. “But we'll try.” She glanced around the open field. “Why are we here?”

  “This field is in back of the Desert Light subdivision.”

  “So?”

  “Bodies have been located in two other places associated with light. Dom repeatedly mentioned light in our last conversation. I think he was trying to tell me something.”

  “Why didn't he just come right out and say where he buried her?”

  “That wouldn't be as much fun for him. He wants to make me work.”

  “You mean he wants to make Monty and me work.”

  “He doesn't know about you.” Eve wasn't sure that was true. Dom had not contacted her since she'd arrived in Phoenix, but that didn't mean he wasn't here, watching her.

  “And you want me to search this field just because of the subdivision's name?”

  “It's also close to the church where Debby Jordan disappeared.”

  Sarah gazed at her dubiously.

  “Okay, it's not much to go on.” Eve's lips tightened. “But it's all I've got.”

  “Whatever you say. I'll go on any wild-goose chase for two days. That's all you're getting from me.” She took a canvas bag from her Jeep, then glanced at Jane, who was kneeling beside Monty. “Why bring her along?”

  “Dom likes her with me and I can't chance leaving her alone. She won't get in the way.”

  “I didn't say she would. She seems a smart kid. But Monty's not going to be able to keep her company.” She strode over to Jane and smiled down at her. “Sorry. It's time for Monty to work.”

  Jane got to her feet slowly. “May I go with you?”

  Sarah looked at Eve.

  Jane was already there. Was it any worse for her to search actively than sit in a car and wait? At least she'd be busy. She slowly nodded.

  Sarah turned back to Jane. “We cover ground pretty fast and I usually take him over the terrain twice just to make sure we don't miss something.”

  “I'll keep up.”

  “Suit yourself.” Sarah knelt down and opened the canvas bag. She pulled out a leash and fastened it to Monty's collar.

  He went still.

  “He knows something's happening?” Jane asked.

  She nodded. “But he doesn't know what yet. I'm leashing him for my benefit, so I can better control our steps. I don't usually put a leash on him at all, only when we're in an unfamiliar environment or a leash makes people feel safer around him.”

  “Safer?”

  “He's a big dog. Some people don't like big dogs.”

  “Then they're crazy,” Jane said.

  Sarah smiled. “I'm with you, kid.” She reached into the canvas bag again and pulled out a denim belt that contained a multitude of pockets.

  Monty stiffened.

  “Now he knows we're on the job.” Sarah fastened the pack around her waist. “It's his signal.”

  Monty lifted his head, his eyes bright and eager.

  Sarah reached down and let him sniff the jersey. “Find her, Monty.”

  Eve leaned against the fender of her car and watched Sarah, Jane, and Monty walk the field. They moved fast, as Sarah had said they would, but the field was large and it took time to traverse every foot of it.

  Monty held his head down, every muscle tensed as he moved over the terrain. Twice he stopped, hesitated, and then continued on. It was early afternoon before Sarah brought Monty back to the car. “Nothing.”

  “You're sure?” Eve asked, disappointed.

  “Monty's sure. That's enough for me.”

  “How good is he?”

  “He's damn incredible.”

  “Why did he stop those two times?”

  “He sniffed something dead.”

  Eve stiffened. “What?”

  “Nothing human. Monty knows the difference.” She took off the dog's leash, then her own belt, and turned to Jane. “He's off duty now. Why don't you go play with him? He'd like that.”

  “Okay.” Jane didn't have to be asked twice.

  Sarah watched her run out into the field with Monty at her heels. “Monty likes her.”

  “She absolutely loves him.”

  “She's got good taste.”

  “Thanks for letting her trail along with you. She's had it pretty rough. Being with Monty is good for her.”

  “It's not her fault I've been railroaded into doing this.” She looked pointedly at Eve. “It's yours.”

  Eve flinched. “You're right. So I might as well drive you as hard as I can while I've got you. You're not going to think any less of me.”

  “You have other sites in mind?”

  “About eleven. They all have ‘light' in their names.”

  “Eleven?”

  Eve got out her city map and pointed to areas she'd circled. “Maybe twelve.”

  ?
??You'll never make it in two days.”

  “We'll do the ones closest to Debby Jordan's church first. Is there any limit to how long Monty will be effective?”

  “No, we worked for seventy-two hours straight in Tegucigalpa with only short rests. But you saw how long it took to rule out just this field.”

  “Then we'd better get moving.” Eve folded the map. “Moonlight Creek is just fifteen minutes from here. We need to search both sides of the bank.”

  “That will take even longer than this field.”

  Eve got into her car. “Call Monty and Jane.”

  Sarah stared at her for a moment and then smiled grudgingly. “You don't know when you're beaten, do you?”

  “Do you?”

  Sarah turned and called, “Jane, bring my dog back. We've got work to do.”

  THEY SEARCHED UNTIL almost midnight but managed to rule out only four other sites. Seven left.

  “That's it.” Sarah took the leash off Monty. “We're calling it a day. I'm so tired, I can't see anymore.”

  “You don't have to see. Monty just has to smell.”

  Sarah shook her head. “God, you're one hard bitch.”

  “I have to be.” Eve looked at Jane, who was asleep in the backseat.

  Sarah's gaze followed hers. “He really kills kids?”

  “He really does.”

  “Bastard.”

  “One more hour.”

  Sarah shook her head. “We can't see. I could get Monty hurt. I don't have that right.”

  “You said you worked longer in Honduras.”

  “We were trying to save lives, not find bodies.” She gestured to Monty, and he jumped into the Jeep. “We're quitting for tonight.”

  “We didn't cover as many sites as I hoped.”

  “I told you we wouldn't.”

  “I know. I just wanted . . . you're not giving me enough time.”

  “Too bad.”

  “Yes, it is.”

  Sarah got into the Jeep. “We'll start at dawn tomorrow,” she told Eve.

  “Dawn?”

  “Don't you want a full day?”

  “Of course I do. But I thought that you—”

  “Monty and I don't work banker's hours. I promised you two days. You'll get them.”

  Before Eve could reply, Sarah's Jeep was roaring down the road.

  She got into her car and headed home.

  Sarah was tough but not as tough as Eve had first thought. She had worked tirelessly, to the point of exhaustion, and would get only a few hours' sleep tonight before starting out again in the morning. Obviously, she had a soft spot for kids. Maybe Eve could persuade her to search more days and—