The Killing Game

TWELVE

Monty whined.

"Shut up." Sarah pressed the accelerator. "You don’t know when you’re better off."

Sad.

"I can’t help it if she’s sad. I have to take care of us."

Alone.

"We’re all alone." Not us.

She reached out and scratched his ears. "No, not us," she whispered. He whined again.

"I said no."

Child.

That thought was tearing at Sarah too. "It’s not our business. Eve will take care of her." Sad.

"Go to sleep. I’m tired of you nagging me. We’re through. We got lucky and I’m not risking another day."

Monty settled down in the seat and laid his head down on his paws. Child…

"Where is she, Mark?" Joe asked.

There was silence on the other end of the line. "How did you track me down?” The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02

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“It wasn’t easy. The station was very cagey about giving me your new digital phone number.

You changed it two days ago. Why, Mark?"

"I get a lot of nuisance calls. All media people do.”

“And you took a two-week leave from the station."

"I was tired. I decided to come down here to Florida to bask in the sun.”

“Or you knew I’d be searching for you."

"Really, Joe, I’d hardly go to all that trouble to avoid you.”

“I think you would. Where is Eve, Mark?"

"How would I know?"

"She didn’t have the address of the welfare house. It took me fifteen minutes to bully the information out of Eisley. Yet Eve was able to go there and take the kid away. I put two and two together and came up with you, Mark."

"Do you think Eisley would tell me where it’s located?”

“I think you know where every body in the city is buried.”

“That’s an unfortunate turn of phrase."

"Where is she, Mark?"

"I’ve invested a lot of time and effort in this story. Eve doesn’t want you to know where she is."

"I’m going to find her."

"Then you’ll do it without my help."

“I don’t think so. I’ll find her or I’ll find you. Believe me, you’ll prefer that I find Eve."

"Is that a threat, Joe?"

"You’d better believe it. Where is she?”

“Let’s just say that she’s following Dom’s lead.”

“What lead?"

"That’s for me to know and you to find out," Mark said silkily. "I don’t like being threatened, Joe." He hung up.

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Joe leaned back in his chair, chilled to the bone. Christ.

Don’t let fear get to you. Just find her. Keep at Mark until you’ve wrung every drop of information out of him.

He dialed Mark’s number again.

Just find her.

Monty was howling.

Sarah sat upright in bed. Monty almost never howled.

She turned on the bedside lamp and swung her feet to the floor. He howled again and then broke off.

Oh, God.

She was through the front door in a heartbeat. "Monty?" No answer.

She turned on the living room light, then walked back outside, keeping the door open.

"Monty?"

No sound. Her hands clenched at her sides. "Monty, where are—"

Something beside his water dish. A large steak with bites taken out of it. She never gave Monty red meat. "No."

She ran out into the darkness. "Monty!"

She tripped over something furry. Something limp that— Please. Please. No.

"Monty!"

Someone was honking, lying on the horn until it ripped through the night.

What the hell?

Eve pushed away from the computer and stood up. The phone on the desk rang.

"We have an intruder at the gates," Herb Booker said. "Please stay inside the house until we check it out."

"For God’s sake, it has to be a drunk. I can’t imagine anyone very menacing waking the entire neighborhood."

"Please stay inside."

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"He’ll wake Jane up, dammit." She headed for the front door. The horn was still blaring as she walked down the driveway toward the gates.

Juan Lopez was there before her.

Sarah Patrick’s Jeep was stopped outside the gates. "Let me in, dammit.”

“Open up," Eve told Lopez.

He pressed a remote and the gates swung open. Sarah drove past Eve and up to the front door.

"It’s okay," Eve told the security men.

Sarah was climbing out of the Jeep when Eve caught up with her. Eve took one look at her face and asked, "What’s wrong?"

"What’s not wrong?" Sarah said. "Son of a bitch. Dirty son of a bitch. I want to kill him."

"Dom?"

"Who else? No one else—"

Fear suddenly surged through Eve. "Sarah, where’s Monty?”

“Dirty son of a bitch."

"Sarah."

"He tried to kill him." Tears were running down her face. "He tried to kill Monty."

"Tried?"

"He scared me to death. I thought he—”

“Sarah, what happened?"

"He threw a slab of beef next to Monty’s water bowl. It was poisoned.”

“You’re sure?"

"A coyote got hold of it. He was dead when I found him.”

“Thank God Monty didn’t eat it."

"I didn’t think he would. I’ve taught him not to eat anything I don’t give him. But I didn’t know— and then he wouldn’t answer me." She wiped her damp cheeks with the backs of her hands. "Shit."

Eve nodded. "I know." She opened the door. "Come in.” The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02

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“Just a minute. I’ve got to get Monty out of the back." She couldn’t see the dog. "Where is he?”

“On the floor."

"Why? Did he eat any poison at all?"

"No." She knelt beside the Jeep and her tone became soft and loving. "Come on, baby. Time to go."

Monty whined.

"I know. But we have to get out of the Jeep and go inside." She put the leash on him. "Come on, Monty."

He finally got to his feet and jumped down from the Jeep. His tail tucked between his legs, he moved slowly toward the front door.

"Are you sure he didn’t get any poison?”

“I’m sure."

"Then what’s wrong with him?"

"What do you think’s wrong? He’s sad. I had a devil of a time getting him away from that dead coyote. It must have been alive when Monty found it. Monty has trouble dealing with death."

She shrugged. "Don’t we all?"

"You’re saying he has psychological problems?" Sarah glared at her. "What’s odd about that?"

Eve held up a hand. "Not a thing." Looking at Monty, she could tell something was drastically wrong. His ears were pressed to the sides of his head, and his expression was terribly woebegone. "What can we do?"

“He’ll be okay. He just needs a little time." She led Monty to the hall. "Is it okay if I take him to Jane’s room?"

"She’s asleep."

"He won’t wake her."

"But what good would that do?"

"There’s no one more alive than a child. It will help Monty to be near her.”

“Therapy?"

Sarah stuck out her chin. "Jane won’t mind. She’s crazy about Monty." Who wouldn’t be crazy The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02

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about Monty? Eve thought. Those big, soft eyes were so sad, it almost broke her heart. "Up the stairs. First door."

"Thanks."

Eve watched her lead Monty up the stairs, then went to the kitchen and started brewing a pot of coffee.

The coffee was almost done when Sarah appeared in the doorway. "Get him settled?"

She nodded. "Sorry. Jane woke up.”

“She’ll go back to sleep."

Sarah said hesitantly, "He’s in bed with her. But he’s clean. I washed him off after I brought him home tonight."

"Do you take cream or sugar?" Sarah shook her head.

Eve handed her a cup of coffee. "Stop looking so guilty. It’s okay.”

“No, it’s not. Monty and I don’t like to depend on other people.”

“I don’t think Monty minds as much as you do."

"You’re right." She made a face. "He’s probably better adjusted than I am.”

“Why did you come here, Sarah? I don’t think it’s because Monty needed therapy."

"I was mad." Her lips tightened. "I wanted to kill the bastard. I still do.”

“You’re sure it was Dom?"

"Aren’t you? I’ve no near neighbors who could be annoyed by Monty. He always stays close to me. No one ever tried to hurt him before he started to look for Debby Jordan. Someone wants to stop you from finding her."

Eve shook her head. "Just slow me down. Dom’s having too much fun to stop me cold. He didn’t realize that you’d refused to help me any longer."

"So he tried to kill Monty."

Eve nodded.

Sarah’s grip on her cup tightened. "I won’t stand for it. I’m going to get the bastard and hang him out to dry."

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"I thought you were through?"

"Don’t be stupid. He tried to kill my dog. He might try again. The only way to protect Monty is to catch that son of a bitch." She took one more sip of coffee and set the cup down. "Time to get to bed. We have only a few hours to sleep. We’ll set out at dawn."

"We will?"

"I’m staying here. It’s safer for Monty. I’ll need a room. Or if that’s not possible, I can go get my sleeping bag. I’m used to roughing it."

"I can give you the bedroom across the hall from me."

"Thanks. I’ll get my bag and Monty’s things out of the Jeep." Sarah left the kitchen. "You go on to bed. I’ll lock up."

Eve stared after her. An angry, protective Sarah Patrick was clearly a power to be reckoned with.

She turned out the light and started up the stairs. Well, this was what she’d wanted. She’d asked Sarah to continue to help. But she hadn’t imagined the woman would barge in and take over.

She stopped at Jane’s door and opened it. Jane was asleep again. Monty was in bed with her and she had an arm flung over the big dog.

What the hell. She could hold her own with Sarah Patrick. The dog was good for Jane, and the attack on him pointed out how close Dom was. He was getting tired of staying in the background and watching and waiting.

She shivered as she closed the door of Jane’s room. It might not be bad having Sarah and Monty in the same house. She was feeling very much alone right now. "Get to bed." It was Sarah passing her in the hall.

"Go to hell."

Sarah stopped at her bedroom door. "Sorry. I’m used to running things and I’ve been feeling pretty helpless lately. I’ll try to watch it."

Eve smiled faintly. "Do that."

It was going to be all right. She and Sarah would adjust to each other. After all, they had a common goal now.

You made a mistake, Dom. You’re not perfect. If you’d left it alone, Sarah would have stopped helping me. Now I have an ally.

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Did you make another mistake with Debby Jordan?

"Nothing?" Eve asked, disappointed.

Sarah shook her head. "Not a sign." She gestured to Monty, and he jumped into the car. "He thought there was something beneath that fallen tree, but then he changed his mind."

"Should we go back? Monty must be as tired as we are. Maybe he made a mistake."

"He doesn’t make mistakes. He’ll know it when he runs across it.”

“It’s been three days."

"She’s not there." Sarah paused and then tempered her tone. "Sorry. It’s been a long day."

They had all been long days. From dawn to midnight and sometimes later. Sarah had a right to be annoyed. While she had sat in the car or stood watching, Sarah and Monty had hunted. It was a wonder they kept pushing.

Sarah was silent until they were almost back at the house. "How many sites are left?"

"Four."

"That’s not many. Could he have lied to you?"

"He’s capable of anything. But if we aren’t on the right track, why did he try to kill Monty?"

"To make the scenario more believable?"

"It’s possible," she said. "Maybe he likes seeing me run in circles.”

“But you don’t believe it."

"No, I think there has to be a payoff. He likes the excitement, the ups and downs. Hope and then disappointment. Tension and then release. If we found Debby Jordan, it would be a tremendous release for him."

"You sound like you know the bastard."

Sometimes Eve felt as if she did know him. He was always on her mind. And there were moments when she felt that if she turned around quickly, she would catch sight of him.

Imagination. Since that night he’d phoned her in the car, Juan Lopez and Herb Booker had been very much on guard and had assured her no one had been following her.

Maybe.

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She turned the corner and saw the familiar gates of home. "We’ll find her tomorrow," she told Sarah. "He didn’t lie to me. I know that—"

"Watch out!"

Eve stomped on the brakes when she saw the man in the street. "Christ." Lopez had stopped his car behind her and was running toward the man, gun drawn.

"No!"

Then Lopez was down, lying in the middle of the street. My God, he was going to kill Lopez.

She jumped out of the car.

"Eve, are you crazy?" Sarah shouted.

"Stop it. Do you hear me? Dammit, stop it. You’ll hurt him."

"I feel like hurting someone." Joe released his hold on Lopez’s neck and stood up. "He was stupid to run at me."

"He was trying to protect me."

"He didn’t do a good job. Logan’s wasting his money.”

“He does a very good job."

The gates were swinging open and Herb Booker was running out into the street.

Joe whirled, immediately on the offensive.

Eve stepped in front of him. "No, it’s okay. I know him, Herb." Herb looked at his partner, who was on the ground, slowly sitting up, and then at Joe. "It’s not okay to me."

"He’s a police detective."

"Since when do cops use Rambo tactics?"

"Joe’s a little different." She turned to Joe. "Go on up to the house." He smiled sardonically.

"You’re actually letting me in?”

“Shut up. I’m mad as hell at you. There was no call for hurting Juan.”

“He had a gun."

"And you nearly killed him?"

He shrugged. "Like I said, I was annoyed."

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"Well, so am I." She got back in the car. "No one invited you here.”

“Oh, I’m well aware of that." He turned and strode through the gates. " Who is that?" Sarah asked Eve. "Herb was right. He reminded me of Rambo too."

"Joe Quinn." She drove up the driveway. "An old friend.”

“Are you sure? The vibes he’s giving off are more explosive than friendly.”

“He’s upset with me." Her lips tightened. "But no more upset than I am with him."

"He was at Fay’s," Jane said from the backseat. "He jumped on me.”

“You jumped on him first. With a baseball bat."

"You’re defending him," Sarah noticed.

"It’s habit." She parked and got out of the car. "You all go on to bed. I’ll deal with him."

“He’ll take some dealing," Sarah murmured. "But Monty and I are too tired to volunteer, and Jane doesn’t have her baseball bat."

Jane chuckled. "Can Monty sleep with me tonight, Sarah?"

"Not tonight. You know that’s only on special occasions." Sarah nodded at Joe, who was waiting by the door. "Be nice to Eve, or I’ll set my dog on you."

She didn’t wait for an answer as she ushered Jane and Monty inside. "Who is she?" Joe asked Eve.

"Sarah Patrick. Monty is her cadaver dog. If you knew where I was staying, I’m surprised you didn’t know about Sarah. Didn’t Logan tell you what was going on?"

"You’ve got to be kidding." He followed her into the house. "Logan told me no more than he had to, just that you were safe, he had two men guarding you, and that I should go jump in the lake."

"Then how did you find me?"

"Mark told me you were heading for Phoenix and that he thought you had an ace in the hole. I immediately thought of Logan. I started looking for him and learned that he’d left Monterey and was staying at the Camelback Inn. I’d also discovered that he owned this house, and I thought it logical that he’d provide you and Jane with a place to stay."

"How astute of you."

"I wouldn’t be sarcastic if I were you." His tone was thick. "I’ve gone through hell trying to find The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02

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you and not knowing if I’d get here before Dom did. I don’t know how much control I have left."

"Not very much judging by that display you put on outside.”

“Did it upset you? Too bad. But then, I’ve always known that violence upset you.

You’ve had too much of it in your life. So I kept that part of me turned low. I’m tired of it, Eve.

Accept me as I am." He looked around the foyer. "Very nice. Very cozy. Logan did you proud."

"He’s been a great help."

His lips tightened. "Oh? How great a help? Lots of sympathy and intimate little chats?"

"Of course I talk to him. I call him whenever I get a chance, to tell him how things are going.

Was I supposed to just drop him after he helped me get Sarah and all the other— Why am I defending myself? It’s none of your—"

"There’s only one thing I want to know. Has Dom contacted you since you’ve been here?"

"Yes."

He muttered a curse. "How does the bastard do it? He must be sticking as close as molasses to you."

"Why are you surprised? He’s had decades of experience in stalking, and he must know every trick in the book. It wouldn’t be any fun for him if he couldn’t check my pulse." She walked into the living room and turned to face him. "I’m tired, Joe. Say what you’ve got to say to me and let me go to bed. We’ve got to get up at dawn and start searching again."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that." She lost patience with him. "Dammit, Joe, do you expect me to apologize to you for trying to save your job? I’d do it again. This is my concern, not yours."

"Your concerns have been mine since the day I first met you. They’ll be mine until the day I—"

He shook his head. "You’re backing off, closing me out. I can feel it, dammit. How long do you think I can—" He took two steps forward and grasped her shoulders. "Look at me. For God’s sake, look at me and see me as I am, not what you want me to be."

His eyes…

Her chest was so tight, she couldn’t breathe. "Yes." His voice vibrated with intensity.

"Let me go." Her voice sounded faint even to her ears.

His grasp tightened and then he slowly released her. "I’m not stupid. After all these years, I’m not going to rush it. But you’ve kept me chained too long by pity. I can’t take it anymore."

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"Pity? I’ve never wanted your pity."

"How could I not feel pity? I ached with it. I ate and slept with it. It was dry as dust, but it was all I had. And every time I thought I couldn’t take one more minute of it, you made me bleed again and I was caught." He held her gaze. "No more pity, Eve."

"I’m going to bed." She backed away from him. "We’ll talk in the morning." He shook his head.

"No, we don’t have to. I can wait now." He glanced at the couch. "I’ll bunk down here."

"There’s another spare bedroom."

"You can show me tomorrow. Go escape now."

She needed to escape. She was confused and panicky and there was a funny feeling in the pit of her stomach. And Joe, damn him, knew her so well, he was probably aware exactly what she was feeling. "I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“It will be okay, Eve," he said quietly. For the first time, a faint smile lit his face.

"Don’t think about it. Ride with it, live with it for a while. I’m the same man you’ve known for the past ten years."

But he’d been almost a stranger during those moments when he was looking down at her.

When he was touching her…

How many times had he held her in the last ten years? In friendship, in sympathy, quieting the pain, helping her through nights of torment and loneliness.

Never like this.

"Good night," she murmured, then fled the room.

It was crazy, she thought as she took off her clothes and slipped into bed. It shouldn’t be happening. Damn you, Joe. You shouldn’t be feeling like this.

She shouldn’t be feeling like this.

Her breasts were taut, aching against the coolness of the sheet, and there was an unmistakable tingling between her thighs.

Oh, shit.

Not for Joe. She didn’t want to feel this animalistic lust for Joe. It didn’t have any place in the compartment she’d given him in her life.

Compartment. Where had that thought come from? Because she couldn’t bear to let him go, The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02

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had she kept Joe in the one area of her mind and heart where she could accept closeness? How incredibly selfish.

It couldn’t be true. She wouldn’t let it be true. Yet that night at the motel in Elijay, hadn’t she known there was something else between them, something she wouldn’t permit to come to the surface?

Perhaps tonight was only a temporary aberration on Joe’s part. Maybe tomorrow he’d be back to normal.

But what about her? Could she ever look at Joe again in the same way? When he’d touched her and stared down at her with such intensity, he seemed to have changed before her eyes. She’d suddenly become aware of him. The physical, sexual Joe Quinn.

The broadness of his shoulders, the slimness of his hips, his mouth…

She’d wanted to reach out and touch that mouth.

Heat. Tingling. Hunger.

Stop thinking of him that way. She had to regain her balance so she could convince Joe how destructive going in a new direction could be. Be logical, be cool…

She was so upset, there wasn’t any way she could be logical or cool. Damn you, Joe.

Joe, dressed in jeans and sweatshirt, his hair wet from the shower, met her in the hall when she came downstairs the following morning. "Coffee’s made. Sarah, Jane, and Monty are in the kitchen. You’re late." He smiled. "Didn’t sleep well?"

She stiffened. "I slept fine."

"Liar." He started toward the kitchen. "Sarah filled me in on your progress, or lack of it."

His manner was casual, she noticed with relief. This was the Joe she knew. It was almost as if last night had never happened. "We still have a chance.”

“If Dom didn’t lie to you. Don’t bank too much on there being evidence even if we find Debby Jordan. Spiro says nothing of value has been uncovered at the graves at Talladega."

"What about the cardboard box in the alley?"

"The same. The blood belonged to the security guard at the welfare house.”

“And the two graves in Phoenix?"

"Spiro sent Charlie here to help look into that. Nothing yet.” The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02

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“That doesn’t mean we won’t find something."

"He wouldn’t have told you about Debby Jordan if it had a chance of incriminating him."

"Yes, he would. He’s tired of being safe. He needs— I don’t know what he needs, but I’m part of it. And he’s made at least one mistake since I came here."

"Sarah’s dog."

She nodded. "If he made one mistake, he may have made another.”

“And if he didn’t?"

"Then we’ll find a way to get him. I can’t let this go on indefinitely. I won’t be made to hide and I won’t be taunted by that bastard." She grimaced. "I can’t stand it. He’s feeding on me, Joe."

"Maybe you’re right. Maybe Debby Jordan will be the key." He paused. "So let’s get breakfast and hit the road."

"You’re going with us?"

"You let the kid go. Why not me?”

“Jane has to stay with me."

He started to open the kitchen door, but she stopped him. "I don’t want you to go with us, Joe."

"I’m going. You’re not going to get rid of me again."

"Look, I’ve been careful. I’ve stayed out of sight. I’ve let Sarah handle the people who’ve come up and questioned us while we were searching, but there’s always the possibility the police might find me. I don’t want you to be with me if that happens."

He grinned. "Then I’d make a quick arrest myself. Did I forget to tell you that I persuaded my department chief that it was his idea to send me here as the Atlanta liaison on the interstate task force? So my job you’re so worried about is safe."

"The hell it is. You’re walking a tight line, and I don’t want you to go with—”

“You’re repeating yourself."

"And you’re not listening. I don’t need your help."

He looked at her pointedly. "You let Logan help you."

“I didn’t want his help.”

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“But you still let him help you.”

“That was different."

"Yes, it was different. I wanted to strangle you when you left me and went to him for help." He smiled. "But now I believe it’s an encouraging sign. Think about it." She didn’t want to think about it. Suddenly she was feeling the same tightness in her chest, the same awareness she’d experienced the night before. Dammit, she didn’t want to feel this way around Joe. He was her best friend, almost her brother. "It’s all wrong. You’re spoiling everything."

He went past her into the kitchen. "Adjust."

"Easy, boy. You’re going too fast." Sarah tightened her grip on the leash. Monty had been tense and moving at top speed since he’d reached this field at the rear of Dawn’s Light Elementary School.

Instinct or impatience? He’d gone through days of search with nothing to show. God knows Sarah was tired and impatient.

It had to be nearly six. It was getting dark and the scraggly trees were casting longer shadows on the sparsely covered ground.

"How much longer?" Joe called from the car, which was parked at the edge of the field.

"Another fifteen minutes." She paused a moment, giving both herself and Monty a chance to catch their breath, her gaze fixed on Joe and Eve. It was odd watching them together. It was clear they were old friends; they had the comfortable habit of almost finishing each other’s sentences. Yet there was something disquieting about the tension between them. People were too complicated. Dogs were much easier… most of the time.

"Are we almost done?" Jane asked.

"Soon." She started moving again. "Why don’t you go to the car and get a sandwich? You must be hungry."

Jane shook her head. "I’ll wait until you go back." She smiled eagerly. "Monty’s going faster, isn’t he? Why do you suppose he’s doing that?"

"How should I know? I’m just along for the ride." Jane frowned. "What’s wrong with you?"

"Nothing." Her stride lengthened. "Go back to the car. You can’t keep up.”

“I always keep up."

"I told you to go back," she said sharply. "We don’t need you." Jane stopped, stared at her for a moment, and then turned on her heel and walked away.

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She’d hurt the kid’s feelings. But it couldn’t be helped. She couldn’t afford to concentrate on anything but Monty just then.

Faster.

To the left. Faster.

Monty was straining at the leash. Close.

Eagerness.

Hope.

Found!

Monty started to dig.

"No, Monty."

Found.

She didn’t try to stop him again. He’d find out soon enough. He froze into stillness.

Gone?

"Yes."

He backed away. Gone.

He was whimpering. Christ, he was hurting.

She fell to her knees and put her arms around his neck. Child?

"I don’t think so." But gone.

She felt tears sting her eyes as she rocked him gently. "Shh.”

“What’s wrong? Is he hurt?" Eve was standing beside her.

"Yes." And it was her fault. She had tried not to think about this moment, but she had known it would come. "He’s hurt."

"Should we take him to a vet?"

Sarah shook her head. "It wouldn’t do any good." Please stop whimpering. You’re breaking my heart.

Gone.

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"What happened?" Joe knelt beside the dog. "Does he need first aid? I’ve had training in—"

"He found her."

Joe stiffened. "Here? Debby Jordan?"

"I guess it’s her," she said dully. "It’s a human being and it’s dead." She rose to her feet. "I’m taking Monty back to the car. He’s done his job." She gently tugged on the leash. "Come on, baby."

Monty wouldn’t move.

"You can’t help, Monty. It’s time to go." He lay there, whimpering.

"Can I help?" Joe asked quietly.

"He won’t leave her. He knows she’s dead, but he won’t accept it." She tried to steady her voice. "The damn idiot never accepts it."

"Then we’d better get him away from here." Joe picked up the retriever. "Easy, boy. I won’t hurt you. Sarah wants you to go back to the car."

"Should I come with you?" Eve asked.

"Stay here." Sarah followed Joe. "There’s no way I’m bringing Monty back if we lose the exact location."

Jane ran toward them when she saw Joe with Monty in his arms. "What’s wrong? What happened to Monty?"

"He’s okay." Joe set Monty carefully on the backseat. "He didn’t want to come back to the car."

"Why not?"

Joe turned to Sarah. "I’ve got to get back to Eve and mark the site. Will you be okay?"

Sarah nodded, then she climbed into the backseat and lifted Monty’s head onto her lap.

Jane stood watching her. "He looks sick.”

“He’s not sick, he’s just sad."

“Why?" She stiffened and her gaze flew to where Eve was standing. "He found her?"

"He found someone."

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her, but I—"

"I know." Sarah tried to smile. "I had mixed feelings about finding her too.”

“Because you were afraid it would upset Monty?"

"I knew it would hurt him."

"He’s been like this before?"

"Every time. When I brought him back from Tegucigalpa, he wouldn’t leave the cabin for a month. He lost seven pounds. I had to coax him to eat."

"Will it be like that this time?"

"I hope not." She stroked Monty’s head. "You shouldn’t have taken him there."

"He saved many, many lives. Was I to stop him from doing that?"

Jane frowned. "I guess not. But I don’t like it."

"Neither do I."

"Are all dogs like him?"

"Golden retrievers are wonderful family and handicap dogs because of their gentleness. They’re full of love, and Monty seems to have gotten a double dose."

Jane’s hands knotted into fists at her sides. "I hate that he’s hurting like this. Tell me what to do to help him."

Sarah knew from past experience that there was no quick fix. But the child was hurting almost as much as the dog, so she had to do something. "Climb in and sit with us. Pet him. Let him know you’re here."

"He’d like that?"

"He likes children, and he particularly likes you, Jane. It could help." Jane scrambled into the backseat and started stroking Monty. "He’s still whimpering. You’re sure this is helping?"

Sarah wasn’t sure of anything but that love and a child’s life force were miracles in themselves.

She could use a little of that life force herself. "It couldn’t hurt. Just stick with it."

There was silence in the car for several minutes. "Why do you do this?" Jane whispered. "You love Monty. You have to hate it."

"Not many other people are able to do what we do." She cleared her throat. "But I have to be The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02

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careful how I use Monty. I’m responsible. I have to be the one who protects us."

"Why?"

"Because Monty is what he is and he loves me." Her hand moved caressingly on the dog’s head.

Come on, boy. Please don’t hurt anymore. It’s killing me. We have to get you over this. She whispered, "And he’ll never, never tell me no."

Debby Jordan was lying beneath this ground. Eve stared down at the area Sarah had indicated.

It didn’t look like a grave.

"Here?" Joe was standing beside her, carrying a red emergency flag he must have taken from the trunk of the car.

She gestured to the spot. "I can’t believe Monty found her. I’d almost given up hope."

"Not you." He anchored the flag and stood up. "That should do it. Have you thought about what we should do now?"

“We can’t excavate ourselves. We’d disturb any evidence. The local police?”

“We could go that route." He paused. "Or we could call Spiro.”

“I’m wanted for kidnapping. I won’t let him take Jane away from me.”

“Then we’ll have to work a deal, won’t we?" His lips tightened. "One that won’t make you a bait."

"We don’t even know for sure it’s Debby Jordan who’s buried here.”

“But you have a hunch it is, don’t you?"

"Yes, I think it’s her. He wanted me to find her, and we found her. But he wanted to stretch it out. This was probably too soon for him. We’ll have to see what he does next."