A warrior stepped forward. His chin went up and his shoulders went back, expanding an already thick chest as he approached with a confident gait. He stopped beside Hew.
“You heard Donald Macinnes refuse to return Rab’s wife to him?” Rhys asked.
“I did and I heard Rab tell them that there would be war if Macinnes did not return her to him. That was when Donald Macinnes signaled his warriors, and they descended on Rab like a pack of hungry wolves.”
“Was Rab’s brother Hunter there?”
“He was and lifted not a finger to help him. His wife Patience stood at his side and watched.”
“And the two other sisters were they there as well?”
“Aye, and never turned their heads away as Rab was brutally beaten.”
“How did you come by the body?” Rhys asked.
“Macinnes ordered it to be dumped in the woods for the animals to feed on. I followed and brought the body back to Laird McDolan.”
“And that is how your hands suffered those cuts and bruises?”
John startled a moment before giving a quick answer. “Aye, it is.”
Rhys stared at the man in silence, and it did not take long for John to grow uncomfortable and Hew as well.
Hew finally spoke up with annoyance in his tone. “It is as I told you. Now will you help me get my revenge?”
“Against those who did this evil deed?”
“Aye, and an evil deed it was, and we best see to resolving it and rescuing Greer’s wife before he learns of it and a bloodbath ensues.”
Rhys glared at John. “Who helped you beat Rab McLaud to death?”
“What nonsense is this?” Hew shouted. “Why do you accuse John when he told you what he saw?”
“He is lying.”
Hew went to argue, and Rhys took a quick step toward him and Hew hastily shut his mouth. “You think to deceive me?”
“No, no,” Hew said, “It is as John says.”
“It is not as John says; he lies,” Rhys said anger sparking in his dark eyes and voice. He turned his heated glare on John. “Tell me you saw the blond-haired Macinnes sister there.”
“Aye I saw her there,” he answered with a grin. “Who could miss that beauty?”
“Evidently you, since she was not there.”
“If John says she was there, then she was there,” Hew argued.
“So it was by your order that John, and I would say one or two others, beat Rab McLaud to death?”
“You make no sense,” Hew said, shaking his head. “Why would I have my own son-in-law beaten to death? This is complete nonsense. Will you keep your word to me or not?”
“Will you keep yours?” Rhys asked.
“I already gave you my word, now what of yours?” Hew demanded.
Rhys stepped forward and grabbed John by the throat so fast that neither man in front of him had time to react. He squeezed, his fingers digging into the man’s neck. “I will have the truth from you now.”
Hew was so shocked it took him a moment to speak up. “Let him go. John did nothing. It is Macinnes you should be after.”
