On the Hunt

“Charming,” Kira said. “He sounds like a total beast. However, I’m sure Harlan wasn’t entirely innocent from all the stories and reports I’ve heard about their encounters.”

“Harlan is a good man, Kira. Do you know what his two Nobel Prizes are for? One was for an incredibly effective water purification system that he developed and gives away to impoverished coastal and river communities all over the world. In some of these places, childhood morbidity rates have fallen sixty percent or more because of him. The second Nobel was for the atmosphere purification plants that he constructed in New Zealand. They’re helping repair the ozone hole over that part of the world. In a few years, that same technology may help reverse global warming on the rest of the planet. He’s making a difference.”

Kira thought for a moment. “Where do they think Taylor is now?”

“Near Blue Sky, Colorado, although he may have already left there. Taylor has a way of staying one step ahead of the people after him.”

Kira paused for another long moment. “I guess I can spare a few days in Colorado to see if Mack and I can find anything that might help. Okay?”

Sarah nodded. “Thank you, Kira.”

“You’re welcome,” Kira said. “Now can we talk about something else, hopefully more pleasant?”

“Anything is more pleasant.” Sarah frowned. “And I hated having to bring it up. So eat your sandwich and drink your wine, and we’ll watch the dogs, and I’ll tell you how impressed the International Veterinarian Council is with Monty’s progress. It’s my dream, but you’ve made it your reality.”

Kira was silent for an instant but was still not happy. She knew that Sarah would not ask her again about Taylor, but it didn’t change the fact that she also knew Sarah had listened to her ideas, brought her to this island, and taught her all she knew about veterinary science and rescue. She’d been orphaned as a ten-year-old child on one of Sarah’s search-and-rescue operations, and Sarah had not only paid for her education but actually given her a career in this field of her choice. After college, Kira had come knocking on Sarah’s door, and she had never regretted it. Sarah had become a teacher and a friend and had opened doors that Kira valued enormously. She’d never asked anything that Kira wasn’t willing to give. She was having difficulty refusing her now.

She slowly nodded. “I’ll explore the possibility of finding and bringing Joseph Taylor to justice, but I won’t deal with Harlan. I’m sick about all that horror I saw in Paris, but I won’t be caught between him and Taylor with their ugly revenge games. That’s not what I do.”

“Harlan wouldn’t ask it of you,” Sarah said.

“I won’t deal with Harlan,” Kira repeated. “But you can bet I won’t go in blind. And if he tries to use me, I’ll walk away.”

“I doubt it.” Sarah shook her head. “John gave me a few sickening autopsy reports, which I’ll leave with you. They’re probably copies of the same documents Belson gave you that you’ve been ignoring. I found I couldn’t ignore them.” She handed Kira a glass of wine. “Just be careful and don’t be afraid of asking Harlan for help if you need it.”

Kira shook her head. “I won’t need it. All I need is Mack.”

“I believe it.” Sarah touched her own glass to Kira’s. “And may you be happy together. But if that changes, call me. I had Monty but somewhere along the way I found that search and rescue wasn’t enough for me. I gave you Mack, Monty’s son, and you gave life to many other dogs over the years with that serum we invented. But I don’t want you to entirely block out the possibility of some actual human intimacy. I want there to be a John in your life.”

“I assure you I haven’t been a nun,” Kira said, laughing. “I’m just selective. You don’t believe there are any men as good as your John anyway.”

“True. So you can continue to do your work here for a little while longer while I look the field over for you. Now tell me how Mack is doing at the games.” She handed her a sandwich. “I’d like to have the two dogs play a game together in a couple hours. I want to see if Mack has learned any tricks from you that he could teach Monty. But after that, I’ve got to get back to the mainland to meet John and drive back to our town house. He’s been in London at a meeting for the last week.”

“It’s just as well.” Kira made a face. “I’ve got to plan my trip to Colorado and then send a message to the governor to tell him that Mack and I will be paying a professional visit to his state in the next couple of days. I’m not looking forward to it.”

“You can back out,” Sarah said.

“Not likely,” Kira said. “On the other hand, I could strike out. In that mountain area where this particular monster lives, it’s almost impossible to track down criminals. The governor sent his people out to get Taylor and never located a sign of him. Besides, you wouldn’t have asked me if you didn’t really want it.” She got to her feet. “Mack and I will go after this Taylor, but I gave you the rules.” She suddenly grinned. “Now that I’ve discouraged you, let me show you how good Mack has gotten over the last year. Prepare to have your Monty put in the shade…”

Sarah was laughing as she ran after her. “Be a little respectful. Monty will show that young whippersnapper what maturity is all about…”

CHAPTER

2

MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK, COLORADO

EIGHT DAYS LATER

“You’re still watching her?” Belson asked curiously as Harlan trained his infrared binoculars on Kira Drake. She was moving swiftly around the first level of the museum cliff dwelling community followed closely by her golden retriever. “It’s the fourth time this week that I’ve seen you go to the trouble of staking her out yourself since she arrived in Colorado. Which means you’ve been practically stalking her since she showed up. Why? Didn’t you believe me when I told you that she was good?”

“You might say that,” Harlan said. “Or maybe I wanted to make certain she wasn’t getting ahead of me, given that she’s refused to even meet with me since she arrived. It’s enough to annoy me, isn’t it?”

“But somehow I don’t think it is. You look like you’re enjoying yourself too much,” Belson said speculatively. “So which one is it?”

Harlan lowered his glasses. “Yes, she’s as good as you told me she was. Yes, I’m annoyed that she could screw up the entire capture if I’m not careful. But she’s also very interesting, quite unique. For instance, why did she come here? Would anyone else show up at an archaeological site built centuries ago when they were searching for a bloodthirsty killer?” He leaned back against the pueblo wall. “But she not only came today, she’s been searching the entire area for any clues that he’s been here in the past.”

“And has he?” Belson asked.