Page 99 of Irish Betrayal

fifty

DANIEL

Minutes ago, the MacGregor security team picked up Samson’s car again and was now tracking it. Everyone in the hotel suite sat unmoving, knowing Blair was close to being found.

Barr was barking orders, watching a live feed of his people’s search. He turned to Catriona a moment ago, motioning her to his side. “We’re close, Cat.”

Barr’s phone started to ring. “Tommy,” he said when he answered. “They have? How is she?” he asked. Daniel cursed that the conversation wasn’t on speaker, crowding Barr’s space. “I’ll call you.”

Barr was white-faced and grim. “The police found Blair. She’s being taken by ambulance to the hospital now.”

Everyone surged toward the door. They had planned for this and had two SUVs waiting in the parking garage below the hotel.

“Bran,” Barr started, “take everyone with you. Cat and Daniel with me.”

“Dad,” Laith protested, stopping when Barr walked to his son and clasped his shoulders.

“There are things I need to talk about to Mom and Daniel. Things your sister might not want anyone to know.”

Laith nodded and walked away. Daniel felt sick, dread curling around his stomach. He slid into the second row of seating, bending at the waist and covering his face with his hands. He had to get control of himself. Blair had to endure the bastard. The least he could do was hear about it.

Barr pulled out behind Daniel’s dad to follow him. His dad had grown up in Tulsa and knew the fastest route.

“Coll,” Catriona whispered her husband’s name from the passenger seat.

Barr’s fingers were white around the steering wheel. Without taking his eyes from the road, he said, “The police were called out for a wellness check. Flat neighbors said they heard screaming and shouting.

“The police out on patrol were already on the lookout for Samson’s car. The first officer saw the car matching the description at an apartment complex and called for backup. Samson was placed under arrest.”

“Blair?” Daniel demanded, sitting forward between the two front seats.

“Found tied hand and foot to a bed. She had been beaten. We won’t know the extent of her injuries until a doctor sees her.”

Daniel didn’t reply. He had no words, hardly any breath. The only noise during the next fifteen minutes was of Catriona crying.

They parked and ran into the emergency side of the hospital. The police were waiting, and Daniel made a beeline for the uniformed officers.

“I’m Coll Barr, Blair’s father. Where is she?”

“She’s already been taken back. We told her you were in town and on your way. Detective Jeffreys is en route. He’ll need to take Blair’s statement.”

Whatever Barr said in response was lost to Daniel as he watched Catriona leave the group and jog over to a nurse who had come from the back.

Daniel followed and heard the nurse saying, “I can see the resemblance.” The nurse smiled kindly at Catriona, who was wringing her hands and shifting from foot to foot.

“Can I see her now?” Cat asked.

“I can take you back to the smaller waiting room close to where Blair is being treated, but since your daughter is an adult, I’ll need her permission to let you in her room.”

“I want to be taken back as well,” Daniel interrupted.

“Only next of kin,” the nurse told him.

“I’m,” he floundered, “am⁠—?

“Handfasted Wiccans. It’s legal in Scotland,” Catriona lied.

“And we’re expecting a baby,” Daniel added.