“But, Chief!” one of them shouted. “We caught her snooping around!”
“I wasn’t snooping!” Molly yelled back. “I needed to use the bathroom!”
The big man glanced at Conall and then back to his men. “You heard what I said. Don’t make me repeat myself.”
The men in the water turned around and began swimming back to shore. After they had pulled themselves, dripping, onto the dock, Molly began turning the boat, sailing warily closer but staying a safe distance away, leaving open water between her and the men.
The giant scowled at Conall. “You shouldn’t have come here. Take your wench and go.” With that, he stalked inside, his men following close behind.
As soon as they were gone, Conall turned to Molly, who was staring in the direction the men had gone.
“Are ye all right?” he asked her.
She gave a shaky laugh. “Yeah. I’m fine.”
Conall glanced back at the warehouse. The door was firmly closed. He’d come here for answers but he’d only gotten more questions and put Molly in danger into the bargain.
She brought the boat up against the dock and threw Conall a mooring line. He grabbed it, pulled the boat close enough, and then jumped aboard.
“Let’s get out of here.”
She nodded and he pushed off, standing at the stern as Molly guided the boat out into the river, watching as the warehouse and its tiny port began to retreat.
“Do ye want to tell me what happened?” he said to Molly.
“What do you mean?” she said, looking surprised. “I told you what happened. I needed the bathroom then those guys appeared out of nowhere. They overreacted a little if you ask me.”
Conall raised an eyebrow and folded his arms, waiting.
Molly looked away and then back at him. “Oh, fine! All right, Iwassnooping. I thought I’d take a look around while you were inside.”
“After I told ye to stay with the boat?”
“Yes, after you told me to stay with the boat.”
“Lass, why can ye never do as ye are told?”
“Oh, I’m sorry!” she burst out. “I wasn’t aware that you were my boss!”
She glared at him, her eyes flashing. Conall sighed. He really didn’t want an argument just now. He had been sick with fright when he’d seen those men going after her and that was making his temper fray. He drew in a deep breath, trying to calm his anger.
“And did yer snooping yield aught?”
She glared at him for a moment longer but then the annoyance melted from her face to be replaced by a grin of triumph. “Whilst you were inside I thought I’d take a look at the water gate. I managed to push it open and sneak through. It was pretty dark and horrible inside but can you guess what I found?”
“Tell me.”
“That barge we saw leaving the Pinnacle. It was inside, all stacked with cargo just like when it left the castle.”
Conall uncrossed his arms. “So itwascoming here.”
Molly nodded. “And that’s not all.” She moved into the middle of the boat and knelt by a wrapped bundle he’d not noticed before. “I got something else as well.” She pulled back the wrapping and Conall gasped at what lay there.
It was a long gun.
He stared at it. It was a beautiful piece of craftsmanship, with an intricately carved wooden stock and a long barrel. Of course, it would be. His father would only trade in the best.
He blinked, trying to shake away the awful truth, but it was lying there right in front of him. This was the proof he’d been looking for. His fatherwasthe source of the new weapons flooding into Scotland. Conall had suspected but somehow he’d hoped he was wrong.
