Page 47 of The Search

“Why should I be angry with you? It’s Logan who pulls the strings.”

“That’s very fair.” Margaret’s gaze searched her face. “But you’re not as angry with John as I thought you’d be. Why not?”

Because he’d kept his word. Because though she disapproved of his methods, she couldn’t fault his motives. Because she’d grown to know him in that jungle, his strength and his determination, even a little of his past. It was difficult hating anyone but a total ass once you understood them.

“It’s over.” She rose to her feet. “It’s a waste of energy being angry. Will you keep an eye on Monty? I want to be at the door to meet Bassett. This is pretty difficult for him. He thought he was going home.”

“Sure.” Margaret reached down and patted Monty. “I love dogs and he’s a sweetheart.”

Bassett arrived at the front door five minutes later.

He smiled with relief as soon as he saw Sarah walking toward him. “Am I glad to see a friendly face. When I went through those electric gates, I felt as if I was at Alcatraz.”

“So did I the first time I came here. And then there were only two security guards, not the four I saw when I drove through the gates.”

“You’ve been here before?”

“Several months ago.”

He nodded. “I should have known you and Logan were old friends. The intimacy is pretty obvious.”

Intimacy? A ripple of shock went through her. “Why do you say that?”

“As I said, it’s fairly obvious watching you together. You saved his life, and you kept an eagle eye on him all during the trip, though I could see you were trying to be offhand about it. Logan’s not a man who likes being coddled, is he?”

“I wouldn’t know. I don’t coddle.”

He held up his hands. “Sorry. Did I make a mistake?”

“Yes. Logan and I aren’t old friends. I didn’t save his life. I just gave him a boost into that helicopter so we could take off. And I did a job for a friend of his and then this one for him. That’s the extent of our ‘intimacy.’ ” She turned and moved toward the stairs. “You’re probably tired. I’ll show you to a room.”

“You’re upset. I didn’t mean—”

“I’m not upset.” It was true. She wasn’t upset with Bassett. It wasn’t his fault he’d read the situation wrong. That she had felt concerned for Logan was entirely natural. She would have felt the same for anyone who was hurt and helpless. By instinct and training she was a person who tried to save.

If it was entirely natural, then why was she justifying her reaction?

Because at that moment she was tired and vulnerable. No other reason. She’d be better after a little rest.

“This is a nice room. It overlooks the garden.” She threw open the door at the top of the stairs. “The telephone is on the bedside table. I assume Logan is letting you at least call your wife.”

“Sure. Though he asked me not to tell her I’d left Santo Camaro.”

“Asked?”

“Well, strongly suggested.” He glanced at Sarah. “But don’t get me wrong. I came here voluntarily. Logan offered to fix up a lab for me here so I can get on with my work.”

He might have thought the choice was voluntary, but what Logan wanted, Logan generally got. “I thought you wanted to go home.”

“He pointed out that I didn’t want to compromise the safety of my family. He’s put a guard on them, but I’d just be a threat to them right now.” He entered the room and looked around. “Private bath. Nice. A lot better than the living quarters at Santo Camaro. Castleton did his best, but he concentrated more on lab equipment than on little luxuries. The damn hot-water heater had to be replaced four times in the time I was there.”

“Then why did you stay?”

“It was my dream,” he said simply. “You don’t give up a dream because you have to take cold showers.”

“What kind of dream?”

He made a face. “I didn’t mean to pique your curiosity. I’m sorry, you’ve been very kind, but I can’t talk about my work. It’s in my contract.”