Found!
Monty started to dig.
'No, Monty.'
Found.
She didn’t try to stop him again. He’d find out soon enough. He froze into stillness.
Gone?
'Yes.'
He backed away. Gone.
He was whimpering. Christ, he was hurting.
She fell to her knees and put her arms around his neck. Child?
'I don’t think so.' But gone.
She felt tears sting her eyes as she rocked him gently. 'Shh.”
“What’s wrong? Is he hurt?' Eve was standing beside her.
'Yes.' And it was her fault. She had tried not to think about this moment, but she had known it would come. 'He’s hurt.'
'Should we take him to a vet?'
Sarah shook her head. 'It wouldn’t do any good.' Please stop whimpering. You’re breaking my heart.
Gone.
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'What happened?' Joe knelt beside the dog. 'Does he need first aid? I’ve had training in—'
'He found her.'
Joe stiffened. 'Here? Debby Jordan?'
'I guess it’s her,' she said dully. 'It’s a human being and it’s dead.' She rose to her feet. 'I’m taking Monty back to the car. He’s done his job.' She gently tugged on the leash. 'Come on, baby.'
Monty wouldn’t move.
'You can’t help, Monty. It’s time to go.' He lay there, whimpering.
'Can I help?' Joe asked quietly.
'He won’t leave her. He knows she’s dead, but he won’t accept it.' She tried to steady her voice. 'The damn idiot never accepts it.'
'Then we’d better get him away from here.' Joe picked up the retriever. 'Easy, boy. I won’t hurt you. Sarah wants you to go back to the car.'
'Should I come with you?' Eve asked.
'Stay here.' Sarah followed Joe. 'There’s no way I’m bringing Monty back if we lose the exact location.'
Jane ran toward them when she saw Joe with Monty in his arms. 'What’s wrong? What happened to Monty?'
'He’s okay.' Joe set Monty carefully on the backseat. 'He didn’t want to come back to the car.'
'Why not?'
Joe turned to Sarah. 'I’ve got to get back to Eve and mark the site. Will you be okay?'
Sarah nodded, then she climbed into the backseat and lifted Monty’s head onto her lap.
Jane stood watching her. 'He looks sick.”
“He’s not sick, he’s just sad.'
“Why?' She stiffened and her gaze flew to where Eve was standing. 'He found her?'
'He found someone.'
Jane shivered. 'You know, I didn’t really think it would happen. I knew it was right to search for The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02
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her, but I—'
'I know.' Sarah tried to smile. 'I had mixed feelings about finding her too.”
“Because you were afraid it would upset Monty?'
'I knew it would hurt him.'
'He’s been like this before?'
