"I know you don't like cadaver searches, but it's necessary."

"How do you know it's not illegal?"

A pause. "Logan is a respectable businessman."

With political connections. Sarah's hand tightened on the receiver. "I don't want to do this, Madden."

"But you will do it." His voice lowered to a silky murmur. "Because you know the consequences if you don't, Sarah."

Son of a bitch.

"Two days. I'll give them two days."

"That's all I promised Logan. Good-bye, Sarah. Good hunting."

He hung up.

She turned to Logan. "Two days."

"Eve will be very happy."

"I don't give a damn if she's happy. I wish she'd never heard of me. I told her no and then she called you in to do her dirty work."

"Contacting Madden wasn't her idea. I didn't even tell her that Madden was the key. She wouldn't have used it. She just wanted me to find out if there was something she could offer you that would entice you to do the job."

"But you did use it."

"I'm more ruthless than Eve. I dug deeper and discovered a weapon in Madden. She wanted you, I got you." He glanced around the cabin. "You don't have a TV or a radio?"

"I don't need them."

"It keeps you a little uninformed."

"Blessedly uninformed."

"Eve mentioned she didn't see a TV." He held out the manila envelope he'd been carrying. "I believe you should know who you're dealing with. This is a dossier on Eve Duncan and newspaper articles about Talladega and the murder of a security guard. It won't tell you everything, but it gives you a good starting place."

"I'm not interested in Eve Duncan unless it will get me out of this job."

He shook his head. "But it may make you more willing to do it. Eve's trying to save a child's life."

"By forcing me to find a dead body?"

"Unfortunately." He moved toward the door. "By the way, if I were you, I wouldn't call the police and tell them where to find Eve. That would make me angry and I'd have to call Madden. My impression is that he doesn't give a damn about anything except his career. Am I right?"

"Police?"

"Read the file." He opened the door. "I'll tell Eve you're delighted to be of service."

She cursed.

"Eve will be in touch." His lips tightened. "Get the job done. I don't care if you like it or hate it."

Sarah watched the door close behind him. Her hands clenched into fists on the arms of the rocker. Keep your temper. Losing control won't do any good. It's only two days. Maybe there wasn't even a body.

But if there was, Monty would find it.

He whimpered and got to his feet, looking up at her.

She bent down, put her arms around him, and buried her face in his coat. "I'm sorry, boy," she whispered. She could feel tears sting her eyes. "We have to do it."

EVE RECEIVED A call from Sarah Patrick later that evening.

"Logan told me you'll help. That's very kind of you."

"I want it over as soon as possible," Sarah said. "We'll start the search tomorrow. Do you have a general area?"

"Maybe. I'm not sure. We may have to try a couple--"

"You have two days," Sarah said. "Try to get me a piece of the victim's clothing. Sometimes Monty responds more to the scent clinging to clothes than to a body."

"That may take a little while. I don't know if--"

"It's up to you. I told you what I need. I don't care if we find her or not. I'd rather we didn't. After you've got the clothing, call me and I'll meet you at the search site." She hung up.

Eve sat there a moment and then dialed Logan. "What the hell did you do to Sarah Patrick?"

"I got her to go to work for you."

"How? She was cold as ice."

"It's done. You have her for two days. Make use of her."

She should have known Logan would do whatever he had to do to make it happen. He'd been ruthless as hell in getting Eve to work for him. "I didn't want her hurt."

"She's not hurt. You're not hurt. And Jane isn't hurt. If you'll use Sarah instead of having qualms, you'll all stay alive and well. That's what's important, isn't it?"

He's right, she thought wearily. That's what's important. "She wants an article of Debby Jordan's clothing. Do you suppose you could get it without breaking into her house and scaring her family?"

"I'll manage. And no thanks are needed for my help with Sarah."

She felt ashamed. Why was she blaming Logan? She had made the call that had started him into action. Maybe she'd even subconsciously hoped that he'd go far beyond what she'd asked. "I'm sorry. I guess I'm a little discouraged. I don't know if Sarah will be able to find the body. I'm not sure where it's buried. I'm just taking my best shot."

"I'd like to go with you tomorrow. Any chance?"

"You've already done too much. I won't have you seen with me."

"There's no such thing as doing too much."