Page 98 of The Search

“No, Monty knows the difference. It’s at least one human being.”

Monty had stopped fighting the leash and was looking back at the spot marked by the buoy.

Save.

“You can’t save them, boy.”

He was already realizing he couldn’t save them, and she could sense the sadness.

Help.

“You did help.”

Monty lifted his head and howled mournfully.

She stared at him in surprise. She was used to hearing him bark, even whimper, but he’d never given vent to that eerie sound before.

Maggie’s influence?

He howled again.

“Christ,” Chavez muttered. “He gives me the creeps.”

“He’s upset.” She reached out and stroked Monty’s head. “He’ll be better soon.”

“Sorry.” Chavez grimaced. “Let him howl. I suppose we owe him a big debt.”

“We’ll know that when you get a scuba team out here.”

“I’ll put in a call right away.” Chavez cut the motor as they neared the shore. He jumped out of the boat and guided it onto the bank. “Though I’d better tell them to report tomorrow morning. It’s dark now, and trying to locate wreckage underwater can be dangerous enough in daylight.”

“Will you tell the parents tonight?”

He shook his head as he helped her from the boat. “It won’t hurt to give them one more night of hope. Hell, maybe your Monty is wrong. Maybe that million-dollar nose has a cold or something.”

“I hope you’re right.” She nibbled at her lower lip as she urged Monty from the boat. His tail was tucked between his legs, and he lay down on the bank and stared out at the water. This wasn’t good. She constantly had to fight to keep Monty from going into deep depression. Sometimes it took weeks to bring him out of it. She turned to Chavez. “Will you do me a favor?”

He looked at her inquiringly.

“Go hide in the woods.”

“What?”

“Go hide and let Monty find you.”

“I haven’t got time for games. I have to go and make my report.”

“Ten minutes. That’s all I ask. It will help Monty. It’s a form of therapy. A rescue dog gets terribly depressed when he finds only the dead. Monty needs to find someone alive.”

“I shouldn’t waste—” He looked down at Monty. “Poor mutt.”

“Just ten minutes.”

“Okay.” He took out his phone. “I guess I can phone in a preliminary report while I’m hiding.” He made a face. “Though you can bet I’m not telling anyone I’m playing hide-and-seek with a golden retriever. Do you need anything of mine to let him sniff?”

“Your cap will do. I’ll give you five minutes’ head start. Just hide in the woods somewhere. But don’t make it too easy.”

He took off his black cap and handed it to her. “Ten minutes.”