Page 55 of The Search

“Agricultural research.”

Rudzak chuckled. “Trust Logan to pick a lie that would appeal to America’s heartland.” He turned away. “I suppose he’s reinforced security?”

“Inside. Outside. Patrols, surveillance cameras, sensors, and personnel checks.”

“Have you been able to get a blueprint of the building?”

“Not yet. But I won’t need it.”

“I need it. I want to know every structural strength and weakness in that building. Make it a priority.”

“The security is too tight. You’d do better to hit one of Logan’s other facilities.”

“I’ll consider it. But Dodsworth is such an interesting challenge, and it’s clearly Logan’s crown jewel. There’s usually a way around security if you study the situation enough.” He paused. “And that’s what we’re going to do. Study the situation and see what we come up with.” A new element had appeared on the horizon. Sarah Patrick. He had learned quite a lot about her in the last couple of days, including the fact that Logan had extended his protection to her cabin outside Phoenix. What place did she occupy in his life? Was it worthwhile to remove her now? What about Eve Duncan, who had occupied a central place in Logan’s recent past?

So many choices. So many paths to explore. But he had time and leisure to find the answers. He was the one setting the pace. Logan could only counter. He could hardly wait to get going again, but it took time to set up interesting scenarios. It’s coming closer, Chen Li. Just be patient.

“I’ve seen what I need to see.” He strode toward the car. “Let’s go. I want to be in Phoenix tonight.”

7

“Hurry. Into the bus.” Logan stood in the road, the rain hammering his face, his local contact, Sun Chang, beside him. “The village is only a short distance from here, but Chang says the road there is going to be washed out any minute. If it’s not gone already. The soldiers won’t let anyone in or out of the area after the road goes.”

“Great.” Sarah scrambled onto the bus. “That’s all we need. What about air support?”

“No place to land. The terrain is too rough. The best they can do will be supply drops. The village was terraced on the side of a mountain.”

“Have they been able to get medical equipment into the village?”

“Yes. And they’ve set up tents.”

“Any other search and rescue teams arrived?” Boyd asked.

“One from Tokyo. They’ve been here since last night.”

“Survivors?”

Logan’s lips tightened. “They’ve dug out six . . . so far.”

Sarah leaned her head against the window, staring blindly out at the driving rain. Six out of five hundred. Dear God.

Logan dropped down in the seat beside her. “I don’t suppose there’s any chance of you staying here instead of going to the village?”

“No, but you could do it. You won’t be any help after we start work. You can barely walk.”

“You’d be surprised how helpful a man like me can be. I haven’t failed you yet, have I?”

“No.” From the moment he had gotten off the plane, Logan had been a dynamo of energy, checking with the handlers to make sure they had everything they needed, talking to Chang, who had met the plane and arranged for the bus. “But there’s not much you’ll be able to do from now on unless you’re a doctor or trained in rescue. It will be—” The bus bounced and skidded across the road, throwing mud on the windows. “And you won’t be able to get out if that leg needs more medical attention than the doctors here can supply.”

“It’s amazing what I can accomplish with a cell phone.”

“Don’t be flippant. It’s not funny.”

“Funny is the last thing I’m trying to be.” He straightened his bad leg. “I’m trying to reassure you that I’ll not be a—Shit.”

They had rounded a curve of road and a mountain of mud spread out before them. The village was gone. No sign of houses or streets . . . or life. Through the driving rain Sarah could see a few search and rescue handlers and their dogs plodding through the mud on the lower slope and a bevy of men digging furiously while balanced on boards placed across the mud to the safe stone banks on either side. Tents ringed the area, and she located the hospital tent with a large red cross.

“Christ,” Logan murmured. “Where the hell can we start?”