Page 118 of The Search

“Eve’s more important.”

“Yes, she is.” He started the jeep. “And I’ll take good care of her. Do you doubt it?”

Sarah looked from one to the other. She could almost see the bond of memories and experiences that linked them together. She slowly shook her head. “No, you always did take good care of her.”

“Then trust me to care for her now.”

Her gaze shifted to Eve. “If you think there’s any hint of danger after Logan tells you about Rudzak, I want you to go home. Don’t stay. Okay?”

Eve smiled. “Don’t worry, I’m staying clear of trouble these days. Life’s dealt me a very good hand lately. I want to savor every play.”

But Eve had come when Sarah had asked. “Remember that when Logan tells you about Dodsworth.”

Fifteen minutes later Sarah stood outside the Phoenix house and watched Logan and Eve drive out the electronic gates. They were chatting casually as old friends . . . or lovers always did. She felt suddenly empty and alone. It was dumb to stand there, looking after them.

She would call Eve at the cabin and talk with her. Perhaps she’d call Joe too, and tell him what was going on. She’d make that judgment after she talked to Eve.

Another judgment. She didn’t want to weigh lives and choices. She wasn’t Solomon. She was just a search and rescue operator who tried to do the best she could. How had she gotten roped into—

“Thank heaven someone else is here to take over baby-sitting.” Margaret marched toward her across the foyer. “I’ve got a thousand things to do, and I’m stuck with Bassett.”

“Has he been a problem?”

“I guess not. He just doesn’t know what’s good for him and he won’t listen to me.”

“I’ll help all I can.”

“Well, at least a little. Logan placed the responsibility on me and I won’t shirk it.” Her gaze scanned Sarah’s face. “Things not so good with you?”

Sarah shook her head.

“Well, then it’s just as well that you’re here. Nothing like regular meals and exercise to keep your nerves in check. I’ll go dig Bassett out of his lab and we’ll all go for a brisk walk around the grounds.”

“I don’t need—”

But Margaret was gone. Sarah shook her head resignedly. It seemed she was being established firmly under Margaret’s wing. She should never have admitted anything was wrong.

Bassett came down the hall a few minutes later. “Hi, I’m glad you came back. It gets kind of lonely here.”

It was the first time she’d seen him. He had been in his laboratory when Logan and Sarah had dropped off their suitcases. His hair was tousled and there were circles beneath his eyes. Evidently he’d been burning the midnight oil.

“I don’t see how anyone could be lonely with Margaret around,” she said.

“She’s a cross between a mother and a dictator. She makes me eat, go for walks, and constantly interrupts my work.”

“Good for her.”

“But I could use some company who doesn’t nag me twenty-four hours a day.”

“Well, you shouldn’t be lonely long. Logan says you’re almost finished and should be heading for Dodsworth soon.”

He went still. “Logan told you about Dodsworth?” A smile lit his face. “I’m glad. I didn’t like closing you out after you helped me, but it was necessary. Artificial blood is a prime target for industrial espionage and—”

She held up her hand. “I’ve been over that with Logan. As long as there’s no danger of anyone at Dodsworth being hurt, I’m not going to blow the whistle.”

His smile faded. “We all knew what we were getting into when we took the job.”

“You didn’t know about Rudzak.”