The Search by Iris Johansen Read Free Book Online Page B

hoping maybe you'd strike out."
    "I know you were. You made that pretty clear," Logan said. "Find out everything you can about Todd Madden. I want a complete report."
    "How complete?"
    "I want to know the name of every kid he mugged in kindergarten."
    "Oh, that kind of report. I gather we're no longer playing on the same team with him?"
    "He's on the funding committee for ATF, but I don't think that's how he's pulling Sarah Patrick's strings. It's something else."
    "You've got her. What difference does it make?"
    "It makes a difference. Any messages?"
    "Galen called from Bogota. He said it's not urgent, but he wants you to phone him."
    "As soon as I hang up. Did he mention any problems?"
    "No, he said to tell you the team was in place." She paused and then added grudgingly, "You know, I really like him."
    "And that surprises you? Oh, yes, it would. You're not supposed to like men like Galen. It violates your code."
    "Yes, it does, but Galen is . . . different."
    "That's indisputable. Nothing from Castleton?"
    "No. And it may take a while to get the dirt on Madden. He's a politician and they bury their skeletons pretty deep."
    "Just get it."
    "How's the pooch?"
    "Easier than Sarah."
    "Well, you can hardly blame her for--"
    "I'll call you when we get to Santo Camaro." He ended the call and dialed Galen's number.
    "What's happening?"
    "No greeting? No small talk?" Galen drawled. "After all those years in Tokyo, I'd think you'd have learned some manners."
    "Do you have a location?"
    "Have I ever failed you? I got a general location, but Sanchez says Rudzak moves camp every few days. And he's going to set up a decoy camp as bait."
    "We have to find the main camp now. We can't afford any extra time. We have to get in and out fast or we'll have a dead hostage. You're sure you got the truth from Sanchez?"
    "I'm truly hurt. Not only a lack of manners, but doubt? I admit Sanchez was stubborn, but eventually his good sense prevailed."
    "Money?"
    "No. Sanchez already makes a tremendous amount in the drug trade. There's millions floating around down here. I had to convince the scumbag he'd be safer running from Rudzak than from me. Can you imagine, he wasn't taking me seriously?"
    "I'm sure that didn't last long."
    "Almost thirty minutes."
    "You're slipping."
    "Now insults?" He made a tsk-tsk sound. "And while I was at it, I did that little research project you heaped on me."
    "And?"
    "Confirmed."
    Logan's hand tightened on the phone. "Son of a bitch."
    "Do you want me to take care of it?"
    "No, I'll do it myself." Dammit, he had known it. "But I can't have Sanchez ratting to Rudzak."
    "He won't. I sent him out of the country with a suitcase of Rudzak's money he was laundering. He's neatly boxed."
    "Good," Logan said. "We'll be arriving in Santo Camaro shortly."
    "I'm already on my way. I should be there in about an hour, and I'll contact Castleton to pick you up at the airport."
    Logan hung up. Everything was in motion. As usual, Galen had succeeded and had the information he needed. Logan had Sarah and Monty in hand and had found a way to get Sarah to voluntarily work with him.
    Yeah, sure. Actually Sarah had taken control. She'd turned a situation that made her a victim to one in which she had control. How many times had she had to do that with her life on the line?
    Christ, what was he doing? He had made his decision and it was no time for regrets. He shoved his phone in his pocket, left his office, and started back up the aisle toward the cockpit.
    Sarah was asleep on the couch and didn't stir as he stopped beside her. Monty opened one eye and his tail thumped lazily.
    "Shh."
    But Sarah didn't wake, and even in slumber she was curled up in a defensive position, her muscles locked and stiff.
    Search and rescue. What made anyone embrace a career that involved not only danger but constant despair? All the dossiers and reports in the world never really told you what made a person tick. Logan knew Sarah was strong, smart, streetwise, and