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“We’re getting there. It will just take a while for us to understand each other.” He was looking at the stately mansion a short distance away. “Almost impressive. Evidently Jamie had more funds than I thought.”
“Not enough for him. But I read where he opened his home twice a month for gambling soirees and invited all the neighbors to come.” She got off her horse. “And he was amazingly fortunate at the tables. Not surprising since he was raised as a reiver and didn’t have a sterling reputation.” She frowned. “I don’t know where to start.”
“Start by keeping Maisie company for a short time while I go check out the interior.” He dismounted. “As I promised MacDuff I’d do.” He started down the path toward the ornate front door. “And considering how smart we think Fiona might be, if I were you I wouldn’t look where you’d think she’d hide something.”
“Amazing insight.” Jane watched him disappear into the house. But in spite of her sarcasm, she was feeling a touch of excitement as she looked at the house. Such a formal residence for a girl who ran wild in the hills, who won races, and defied her father when he’d tried to sell her. She must have hated living here.
And Fiona would have studied the situation as she had the racecourses where she’d triumphed and found a way to hide her intentions for defeating Jamie. Would proof still be there?
Is it there, Fiona? It’s been a long time. But your life had to have been a bit crazy and filled with panic back then. The ribbon you won? Surely you would have taken that ribbon if you could. Perhaps you left another trail for me…
***
Maggiano Lake
Italy
2:40P.M.
“You’re certain it should be this one?” Palik asked when he picked up the phone.
“Do it,” Caleb said.
“Then get out of there. I’ll give the word.”
“I’m staying here in the hills. I want to see the response.”
“And I want you to get out of there alive.”
“Do it,” Caleb repeated.
Palik muttered a curse and then hung up.
Caleb lifted his binoculars again. He waited.
Not for long.
The prisms of the crown glass of the binoculars flamed brilliant red that turned into a puff of smoke as a roar echoed over the lake!
The earth beneath Caleb’s boots shook and almost knocked him from his feet.
Done…
He settled down to wait.
***
Jamie MacDuff’s Home
“You’ve got dirt on your face.” Rodland handed Jane a bottle of water and a roll of paper towels that they’d found in the kitchen cabinet when they’d first arrived at Jamie’s house over five hours ago. “I told you I’d search the attic. It was bound to be the area most left neglected by the cleaning crews MacDuff sent out.”
“I was desperate.” She opened the bottle of water and took a long drink. “I couldn’t believe that we weren’t finding anything in the other rooms. I was hoping since MacDuff found Fiona’s two books there that I’d get lucky and discover some secret cache where she’d hidden something else.”
“And what did you find?”
She made a face. “Dirt. Cobwebs. Various spiders of dubious, possibly frightening potential.” She took another drink of water. “What did you find up in Jamie’s master bedroom?”
“Period furniture. Nice carpets. Everything spick-and-span and looking as if it was cleaned every thirty days just as MacDuff decreed.” He shook his head. “You couldn’t expect anything else, Jane.”
