Page 129 of The Search

It was time to feed Monty too. “Come on, boy.” Sarah hung up the phone and headed toward the cafeteria with Monty at her heels. She’d packed one of the kitchen cabinets with his food and vitamins, and she tried to feed him in the evening when he wasn’t distracted by the constant attention of the scientists. Monty was already practically a mascot, and he’d rather have gotten belly rubs than eat.

Bassett was sitting at a table, and he looked up when Sarah came into the room. “Got time to sit down and have a cup of coffee with me?”

She shook her head. “I just came to feed Monty. I’m nervous enough without the caffeine.”

“Are you? I feel a lot safer here.” He got to his feet and followed Sarah and Monty into the kitchen. “Funny. I felt fine until that last day in Phoenix. Have you heard how Margaret’s doing?”

“She’s still alive.”

“I complained a lot about her, but I really liked her.”

“I know. How do you like your lab here?”

“Fine. They’ve assigned Hilda Rucker to work with me. She’s brilliant.” He wrinkled his nose as he looked down at his bandaged left hand. “And she’s got two good hands to operate the computer. That’s nothing to sneeze at.” He finished his coffee in one swallow. “I’d better get back to the grind. Hilda’s no Margaret, but I can’t let her get ahead of me. Let me know about Margaret.”

“I will.”

Galen passed him at the kitchen door and gave him a casual nod before coming toward Sarah. “Logan’s on his way. He just called and told me that Margaret had kicked him out. He should be here within a few hours.”

“Good.” She leaned down and put Monty’s dinner before him. “Then she’s better?”

“Well, it’s clear she’s functioning in her usual manner.” He made a face. “I’m glad she’s in Phoenix. I don’t need another high-powered woman here.”

“Yes you do. But you’ll have to be satisfied with me. Speaking of high-powered females, I talked to Eve a little while ago. She thinks Maggie is either pouting or mourning. She won’t stop howling.”

“Then why don’t you go home and take care of your wolf yourself?”

She gave him a sly glance. “Maybe I should send for Maggie and Eve, have them come here instead.”

“Forget it.” He headed for the door. “I’m out of here.”

“Can’t take the heat?” But he’d already gone.

The large kitchen was suddenly cavernous and lonely. Her smile faded as she leaned on the counter and watched Monty eat. Sparring with Galen was an outlet she badly needed. The tension was growing with every hour, and she needed it over.

Monty looked up at her. Sad?

She shook her head as she filled his water bowl. Not sad, uneasy. And lonely. It was strange how lonely you could feel when you’re apart from one special individual. “Eat your dinner. You haven’t eaten decently since we left the cabin.”

Sad.

“This is our job. I had to take you away from Maggie.”

Sad.

“Heaven save me from a lovesick—” Why was she blaming Monty, when she’d been mooning around herself only a few minutes before? “It’s okay,” she whispered as she reached down to scratch behind his ear. “I know it’s bad, but we’ve got to go on. Now eat your dinn—”

“Sarah.”

She turned to see Galen standing in the doorway. “Why did you come ba—” She stiffened. “What’s wrong?”

“A package for you.” He crossed the room and handed her a neatly wrapped box. “It just came. Special delivery.”

All packages coming into the facility were X-rayed. “What is it?”

He shrugged. “I couldn’t tell. Something weird. But it’s not an explosive.”

She slowly took off the wrap and opened the lid. The object inside was old, very old, the ivory yellowed by time, but the gold-sheeted mirror still shone. She felt her stomach clench. “Chen Li.”