Sarah smiled. 'It amused me to see if I could get away with it. Everything was fine until they audited me.' She poured lemonade into two glasses. 'I don’t think Jane wants to be interrupted yet. Sit down.' She went over to the sink and leaned against it. 'I’ll take pity and stay downwind of you. I haven’t had a chance to shower yet.'
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She did have a gleam of perspiration on her tanned face and legs. Sarah Patrick was possibly in her late twenties, of medium height with short dark brown hair and a wiry, slim body. She wasn’t a pretty woman, but her large, sparkling brown eyes and well-shaped mouth were appealing. What made her arresting was the forceful energy she exuded.
'She your kid?' Sarah’s gaze was on Jane. 'She’s very loving. Loving’s good.' Jane was being loving, Eve noticed. Who would have guessed that Jane would succumb to a retriever. 'No, she’s not mine.'
'I like kids.'
'You don’t have any of your own?'
She shook her head. 'I don’t even have a husband.' Her eyes twinkled. 'Thank God. I have enough trouble.'
'You’re alone here?' Eve frowned. 'You shouldn’t advertise where you live.”
“I get lonely. I can take care of myself.' She looked at the retriever. 'And I have a great guard dog. Didn’t you notice?'
The guard dog had rolled over on his back in the most submissive position and caught Jane’s hand playfully between his front paws. He made a woo-woo sound and stretched his neck to nibble at Jane’s wrist.
'Yeah, sure,' Eve said doubtfully.
Sarah chuckled. 'I can see you aren’t confident about my training program. Monty isn’t a very good example. He has a few psychological problems. He’s not sure which one of us is the dog.'
'He’s adorable.'
Sarah’s face softened. 'You know it.' She set the glass down on the sink. 'Who recommended me as a trainer?'
'I found you on the Internet.'
'I’d forgotten I’d posted an ad. That was years ago, and no one’s ever answered it. I guess the directions out here are kind of discouraging.' Her gaze narrowed on Eve’s face. 'Why weren’t you discouraged?'
'I need you.'
'There must be a dog trainer closer to where you live.”
“I need a cadaver dog.'
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Sarah stiffened. 'I should have known. Who are you with? ATF? Did Madden send you?'
'No ATF. No IRS. I don’t know any Madden.'
'I wish I didn’t. That’s one plus on your side.' She shook her head. 'I’m not interested. Are you with a police department? I can give you the names of several handlers who work with the police.'
'I want you. According to the newspapers, you’re the best in the business.”
“I’m not the best. Monty’s the best.'
'Well, I don’t believe he’ll make a deal with me.”
“Neither will I.'
'Please. It should take only a few days.' Sarah shook her head.
'You don’t appear too busy. I’ll pay you more than your usual fee.”
“I said no.'
'Why not?'
'I don’t like searching for cadavers.”
“But you do it.'
She glanced away. 'Yes, I do it.”
“Then do it for me.'
'I think it’s time you left.'
Eve rose to her feet. 'Please think about it. I need you.'
'Well, I don’t need this job.' She turned toward Jane and the dog. 'Come on, Monty. It’s time you stopped making an idiot of yourself.' She snapped her fingers.
What happened next was amazing. Monty rolled over, leaped to his feet, and was by Sarah’s side in the space of seconds. His entire demeanor had changed. He was alert, charged with energy, and gazed at Sarah with total absorption. 'He’s very obedient,' Eve said. 'I don’t think there’s any doubt who’s the dog and who’s the boss.'
'I’m not his boss. We’re partners. Monty obeys because he knows there are situations where we could both get
