Page 69 of The Secret Castle in the Highlands

‘Darwin,’ warned Mason, ‘put that down!’

I smiled, despite my rattled nerves.

‘That dog,’ Mason muttered, ‘anyone would think I never fed him. So, what’s up?’

‘There’s been another note delivered,’ I explained, the sheet of paper still clenched in my left hand.

‘Slow down,’ he soothed. ‘What does it say?’

I read out the sentence.

From further down the beach, I heard the faint giggle of a young girl. ‘Sounds like someone’s trying to tell us that the Scarlet Highwayman had some sort of connection to the Lapley estate.’ Mason’s concern was evident. ‘Are you all right?’

‘Yes,’ I answered, not sounding convincing. ‘I’m fine.’ What with Alex Lapley and now this latest note being delivered by some phantom figure in black again, I’d been better.

Mason was firm. ‘I’m coming over now. I take it you’re still at the cottages.’

‘Yes. No. I mean, yes, I’m still in the office, but no, you don’t have to come over.’ I could feel my skin colouring. ‘I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have rung you.’

‘Stop being so bloody stubborn, Poppy! We’re only five minutes’ walk away.’

I ran a weary hand down my face.

‘You sound upset,’ he said. ‘See you soon and make sure the office door is locked until we arrive.’

Chapter Thirty-One

Mason appeared, windswept and every bit as dashing as usual, with Darwin trotting by his side. I unlocked the office door and Darwin launched himself at me.

‘Thanks for coming.’ I smiled, ruffling the dog’s grey-and-white coat.

Mason ordered Darwin to sit out on the doorstep. ‘How are you?’

I assured him I was all right and passed him the note that had been thrust under the door. He peered down at it for a few moments.

‘Do you think the Scarlet Highwayman was employed at The Hawthorns estate, then?’ I asked him.

He looked thoughtful. ‘Either that or we’re being led on some pointless wild-goose chase.’

I sank down into one of our high-backed office chairs. ‘Why is somebody trying to help us with this?’

‘Maybe they’re not,’ answered Mason. ‘Perhaps it’s someone trying to achieve the exact opposite and stall our investigations.’ He angled himself into the chair close by and pushed the note across the desk. ‘You always see the best in people, don’t you?’ He regarded me through twinkling eyes.

‘You make it sound like some sort of weakness.’

His lips twitched.

‘So, I take it that means you don’t, then?’ I asked. ‘That you think everyone has a hidden agenda?’

His amusement disappeared. ‘Let’s just say that previous experience has made me think otherwise.’

I waited for him to elaborate, but he didn’t. He just prodded the note on the desk with one finger. ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if Alex Lapley is behind this.’

The mention of that man’s name made my stomach twist in again on itself. For a moment, I wondered whether I should tell Mason about Alex Lapley’s visit and his revelations about still owning the cottages. But his guarded expression made me dismiss that idea. It sounded petty, but if Mason felt he couldn’t confide in me, then it was clear we didn’t share that kind of relationship. And anyway, perhaps Katie was right and Alex Lapley was bluffing… I gave a slight shake of my head. ‘I can see why you might think that about Alex Lapley, but I disagree.’

I explained that even though I only caught a fleeting glimpse of the dark figure who delivered the note, I was sure it was the same person from before. ‘He was trying to help us then and I still believe he’s trying to help us now.’

Mason continued to stare at me across the desk, like a curious museum visitor checking out its latest exhibit. ‘When you get up in the morning, are you surrounded by singing bluebirds and cute bunnies?’