No child.

"I don't think so."

What should she do? Run? Face Madden?

Even if she and Monty stayed away from the cabin for days, Madden would still be there when she got back. She knew from experience he was totally relentless.

Okay, face him. She could always disappear later.

She strode forward, Monty trotting anxiously beside her.

Help?

"No. It's okay."

Monty whimpered.

"I said it's okay, dammit."

"Ms. Patrick?" A man was waiting by the cabin door. "I wonder if I can speak to you? My name is John Logan."

Not Madden.

Monty started to wag his tail as he sensed her relief.

"Always the optimist," she murmured. "He could be a bill collector, you know."

"Ms. Patrick?"

She strode toward him. "It's after nine at night, and Monty and I keep early hours. Call me in the morning."

"I've driven a long way, and I need to talk to you now." He smiled. "I assure you I'm very respectable."

His clothes and shoes were impeccable, but so were a lot of drug dealers'. "I don't like people dropping by late at night."

"Eve said you were difficult."

She should have known. "Eve Duncan? She asked you to come?"

"Not really. It was my idea, but she did ask for a little help." He gazed admiringly at Monty. "Beautiful animal."

He was a beautiful animal himself. Sleek like a cougar. Cougars could be dangerous. "Yes, he is." She opened the door. "And he's tired. Good night, Mr. Logan."

"Wait." His smile faded. "Could I come in? I'm expecting a telephone call."

"On my phone?"

"I took the liberty. It's from someone you know. Senator Todd Madden?"

She froze.

"May I come in?"

She went into the cabin and slammed the door.

He knocked. "It would really be better if I talk to you before he does. He strikes me as a man who could be very unpleasant when he's crossed."

Madden and everything connected to him was never pleasant. Calm down. Face the problem.

She opened the door. "Come in." She sat down in the rocking chair. "Get to the point and then get out."

"I'll be as quick as I can. Eve needs you to find a body buried somewhere in the area."

"Tell her to get someone else."

He shook his head. "She wants you. I can't blame her. I had my people do some research on you. You're quite remarkable."

"Am I?"

"Your work in Oklahoma City was incredible. And that earthquake in Iran last year that killed two thousand--you managed to save twenty-seven people buried in the rubble."

"And found sixty-eight dead."

"You remember the number?"

"I remember some of the numbers. I remember all the faces."

"Eve's not going to make you look at the face of this cadaver."

"I've always hated the word cadaver. It dehumanizes."

"All she wants you and Monty to do is locate the body. Then you can fade back into your little home in the desert."

"It's not that easy."

"You've worked with the police before on cadav--body searches. The Salt Lake City Police Department thinks very highly of you."

"Whoop-de-do."

He smiled. "Sergeant Levitz believes you can read that dog's mind. He said it's uncanny how you understand each other."

"Levitz isn't very bright. All dog owners will tell you their pet can almost talk. When you've been with someone as long as Monty and I, you learn to understand each other."

"Still, you'll admit it's an unusually strong bond." He gazed at Monty, who was lying at her feet. "Even I can see that."

She didn't answer.

"And you've been through a lot together."

"Yes. No body search."

He sighed. "We really need you. I'm afraid I'll have to insist."

"Screw you."

He checked his watch. "Is Madden very prompt? If so, he should be--"

The phone rang.

She picked up the receiver.

"Is he there?" Madden asked.

"He's here."

"He's a very important man, Sarah. He has a lot of political connections. I don't want to antagonize him, especially since pleasing him is such a simple matter."

"Simple for you."

"We've discussed this before. Logan assures me the task shouldn't take more than a day or two."

"That's too long. An hour is too long if it's not a case of life and death."