Page 20 of The Search

“I don’t track criminals, Logan.”

“You work for ATF.”

“These days my primary job is search and rescue.”

“You’d be rescuing Bassett.”

“Just pay the ransom. You’ve got plenty of money.”

“The percentages are high that after I pay it, Bassett will be killed anyway. I need to find him and get him away.”

“And how am I supposed to find him? Do you know the specific locality?”

“Not yet. Somewhere in the jungle near Santo Camaro, Colombia.”

Her eyes widened. “South America?”

“Last time I checked.”

“You want me to go to South America? You want me to wander around the jungle until I find—”

“I have someone working on pinpointing Rudzak’s location. I’m hoping to have more information by the time we reach Colombia.”

“And when will that be?”

“My plane is waiting at the Atlanta airport now.”

“And you think I’ll hop on the plane and go meekly with you.”

“Not meekly. Never meekly.”

She drew a deep breath. “You’re not only risking my neck, you’re risking Monty. If those scumbags see Monty trying to track them, the first thing they’ll do is shoot him.”

“I’ll be very careful with both of you. I’ll do everything I can to keep you safe.”

“And you expect me to trust you?”

He shook his head. “No, but it doesn’t make it less true.”

“I’ll never trust you. You’re a user, just like Madden. I’m the one who’ll keep Monty safe. You don’t care about anyone or—” She broke off. Why was she arguing? She knew she didn’t have a choice. He and Madden had backed her into a corner. “How long?”

“I don’t know.”

She closed her eyes as the anger and frustration poured through her. “I’ll do the job. I’ll find your man.” Her eyes opened and she added with soft venom, “But then I’ll find a way to get you. And if you get my dog killed, you’ll wish you’d never been born.”

“I believe you.” He pulled off the freeway into the lane leading to the airport. “You know, even using Madden as a lever, I wasn’t sure you’d go with me. Whatever Madden has on you must be pretty powerful stuff. You wouldn’t care to tell me what it is?”

“Go to hell, Logan.”

3

“It’s been over an hour since we took off,” Logan said. “It would be nice if you said a word or two. Maybe even three.”

“We’ve said everything that needed to be said and I don’t feel like being nice.”

“Would you like something to eat?” Logan asked.

“No.”