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“She couldn’t tell me. Not one of the city yards.”
“And the mural?”
She shook her head. “The clerk couldn’t tell me any details about the present furnishings. I’ll have to see for myself. But she went back into the company historical Rolodex and was able to pull out the name of the artist. It was painted by Farrell MacClaren. No other information.”
He was studying her face. “But it could be enough?”
“Maybe. If I can find a connection between MacClaren and Fiona. The painting on the train was of a place in the hills near here. It’s possible that while MacClaren was painting Fiona, they got to know each other. But how well?” She was trying to work it out. “The rail ties. She must have known he was working with the railroad, too. If she didn’t want anyone to know he was communicating with her, there had to be a reason.”
“He was her lover?”
“We don’t even know how old he was. He could have been her father’s age. Maybe he just wanted to help her escape from a bad marriage.”
“I’ll still vote for the lover. If he was older, he would have been more sympathetic to the older generation. He’d have been on her father’s side. The secret messages speak of a young man out for adventure.”
She had to smile. “I believe you’re a romantic.”
“I’m just Irish. Sometimes it’s the same thing. And I deplore the fact that you’re being so practical. It doesn’t bode well for your relationship with Caleb. He’s hard and practical enough for all of us combined. He needs a little softness in his life. I’ll make you a deal. Go for the young lovers. And I’ll help you track down this Farrell MacClaren and get you a dossier on him. I’ve told you how brilliant I am working with computers. I’ve learned a lot about gathering info of all kinds working for Palik. I’ll man the telephones and computers and you’ll have your information. Just don’t make me read any more diaries.”
“So now you’re protecting Caleb’s delicate feelings from me? I don’t think he finds me too harsh.”
“Friendship isn’t only physical, it goes deeper.”
“That’s what your Irish soul tells you?”
“Is it a deal?”
“Okay, it’s a deal. It’s not as if I didn’t want Fiona to have had a great love in her life. I was only remembering what MacDuff told me about how women could be punished back then if they didn’t toe the line. She was as much Jamie’s captive as if she was in prison.” She shook her head. “I won’t let you do all the research work. It might be better if I read the rest of her diaries and journals anyway. You might not catch nuances.”
“I beg your pardon? I’m insulted.”
“Besides, I wanted to take time to go to Jamie MacDuff’s residence that was her actual home and look around there.”
“Didn’t MacDuff tell you the house has been vacant for decades? You don’t expect to find anything?”
“Probably not. I just wanted to see where she lived.”
“Sentiment?”
“Maybe.” She wrinkled her nose as she saw his skeptical look. “Okay, I’ve been living with her one way or another for a long time. And lately she’s become…close to me.”
“I promise I won’t tell MacDuff,” he said, deadpan.
“I’m not going to count on it. I’ve found you have a devilish sense of humor. You blame it on being Irish, but I’d be an idiot if I didn’t realize it originates in a much more fiery region.”
“And when do you intend for us to take this trip? You do know I go with you.”
“I wouldn’t think of violating Palik’s prime directive. We’ll pick up two horses at the main stable tomorrow morning and ride up there.”
“What about MacDuff?”
“What about him? The house is on the property.”
“Horses?”
“You don’t like horses?”
“I didn’t say that. I appreciate them. However, in the past I haven’t been around them enough for them to have the opportunity to appreciate me.”
