Free The Search by Iris Johansen Page A

discussion about setting up guards. She had thought they were safe for at least that one night. "Then why are you behaving as if you think someone is--"
    "It doesn't hurt to be careful. Rudzak seldom does the expected." He moved toward the trees. "But this time neither are we."
    They stopped to eat at ten and reached the search site at twelve forty-five. By that time Sarah's shirt was plastered to her body with perspiration, but Monty was still moving swiftly. She gave him his third bowl of water and sank down beside him as he drank it.
    "We need to hurry." Logan had come back to stand beside her.
    "Fifteen minutes. Monty needs rest." She took off her backpack, then took a drink of water herself. "From now on we'll be leading, not following. Give me Bassett's cap."
    He reached into his pack, pulled out a faded Giants ball cap, and tossed it to her.
    She put it aside and dug into her pack for the canvas utility belt. It was a little large, and she took out her knife and cut additional holes. Then she got out Monty's leash and tossed it on top of the utility belt.
    "Why do you need the utility belt?" Logan asked.
    "I probably won't need it this time, but I always wear it when I'm on a search. When I put it on, it's a signal to Monty that we're going to go to work." She leaned back against a tree. "I'd advise you to rest. If Monty catches the scent, we'll stop only to give him water."
    He sat down across from her and took off his hat. "Okay, I could use some rest."
    He didn't look tired. He looked tough as hell. His shirt was as damp with perspiration as hers was, but she could feel the waves of energy and tension he was emitting. Was the tension caused by fear? Maybe. But if he was afraid, he wouldn't give in to it. He was totally relentless as he had led her through the jungle.
    She stroked Monty's head. "You set a pretty hard pace."
    "I told you we were in a hurry." He smiled sardonically. "I'm sorry if you were disappointed. I know you would have enjoyed leaving me in the dust."
    "You're in good shape," she said grudgingly.
    "It must be all that tennis at the country club."
    "Maybe." At that moment she couldn't imagine him in a country-club setting. He looked more like a scruffy gunrunner than a tycoon. After a short silence she asked, "What's Galen up to?"
    "What?"
    "You said Galen was taking care of a few things. What's he planning on doing? Or aren't I supposed to know?"
    "You want details? I thought you weren't interested in anything but your and Monty's involvement."
    "This does involve us. If you manage to get yourselves killed, I want a decent chance of getting out of this jungle. What's Galen doing?"
    "Attacking the decoy camp."
    Her eyes widened. "By himself?"
    "No, Galen's good, but he's not Superman. When he's ready, he'll radio for his team to come in by helicopter."
    "How many are in his team?"
    "Twelve."
    "Against how many of Rudzak's men?"
    "Our informant, Sanchez, said at least twenty. That leaves eight at the real camp, where Bassett should be."
    "And the plan?"
    "Galen's unit hits the decoy camp and makes Rudzak think we've fallen into the trap. Galen pretends to get out by the skin of his teeth and proceeds to the main camp to rendezvous with us. We get Bassett out, hop on the helicopter, and head for home."
    Her lips twisted. "Very simple."
    "Not simple at all. If Galen's not convincing enough, Rudzak will head back to the base immediately and we'll be in deep shit."
    "Why even go after the decoy?"
    "Rudzak will be getting suspicious that he hasn't heard from Sanchez or his man in Santo Camaro. If an attack on the decoy doesn't occur by tonight, then he'll think we're onto him and we'll lose the element of surprise." He glanced at Monty. "That's why Monty has to find this base by nightfall."
    "I can't promise that. What do we do if we don't find it? What if Rudzak isn't fooled by Galen's attack?"
    "Then we try to get out of the jungle before Rudzak tracks us down."
    There were too many things that could go