They found themselves standing in a patch of dappled sunlight. The chapel had obviously lost its roof long ago, but it was shaded by an enormous bush covered in white blooms. The stone floor was strewn with dry leaves and dirt, and vines draped down the walls like rustic curtains. There were a few slate gravestones embedded in the stones, and the remains of a Celtic cross stood in one corner, half-covered by a patch of ferns.
“It’s a shame it’s fallen into such disrepair,” Kade said. “Some of the engravings seem quite good.”
Charlie pointed to the wall on his right. “Take a look at that one.”
He crouched down to get a better view. “Good God. He’s putting an ax through that poor fellow’s head.”
She bent down and traced a fingertip along the outline of a figure wielding a massive sword. “That’s the gravestone for Big Duncan MacKenzie, a famous Jacobite warrior. He’s slicing open the head of a British dragoon.”
“Angus would love this. Depictions of bloodthirsty battles on one’s gravestone—what could be better?”
“It’s one way to be remembered.”
She ran her fingers around the edges of the thick slate. “We used to hide trinkets behind Duncan’s gravestone.” She glanced at him. “Why don’t you start on the other side of the chapel, and we can meet in the middle. Be sure to move the pieces of broken slate and look behind the cross. We used to hide things there, too.”
“Aye, that.”
He began to search, moving up and down the walls and examining any suitable hiding place. Once, he had to jerk back a hand when he dislodged a nest of spiders.
“Sorry,” Charlie said with a grimace. “I forgot about the cellar spiders. They don’t usually bite, but they are rather gruesome looking.”
“No worse than a nest of spies, I suppose.”
She straightened up, looking interested. “Did you ever discover a nest of spies?”
“Legions of them, actually.”
She rolled her eyes and went back to the search.
A few minutes later, they were done.
“Drat,” Charlie said as she slapped her hands together to dust off her gloves. “I was so hoping we’d find it here.”
“Is there anywhere else on the island that Johnny might have hidden it?”
“Possibly at the base of one of the gravestones.”
“Charlie, there seem to be quite a few gravestones on this island,” Kade said.
“Over three hundred.”
“Well, that’s a pity.”
“I’m afraid it’s a goose chase,” she said, sounding morose. “And it’s not very likely, in all honesty. But I had to be certain.”
He smiled at her. “No worries, lass. At least we’ve eliminated one hiding place.”
“Yes, but I’m not really sure what to do next.”
“I’d say keep searching Laroch Manor, as well as keep an eye on Johnny. If he did take it, he’ll probably check on it at some point.”
“All right. Though I’m not sure how we can keep a constant eye on him without rousing his suspicion—especially since I already barged right up and asked him.”
“Royal and Angus will help. Johnny won’t suspect them—or me, for that matter.”
She reached up to rub her nose and then thought better of it, since her gloves were still rather dirty. Instead, she gave an endearing little sniff. “You’re all so kind. I truly don’t know how to thank you.”
“I can think of one way.”
