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Caleb jumped off Jocko and was opening her car door as they pulled up at the gates. “I called MacDuff and I told him we’d meet him at his library. He’s busy with the local insurance adjustors down at the boat docks. There was some damage down there, too.”
Jane flinched as she gazed at the broken, blackened gates. “It makes me sick to see all this senseless destruction. Sick and angry.”
“Be angry, not sick,” Caleb said. “Anger translates to action, and we’ll have use for action very soon.” He turned to Rodland, who had come to stand beside them. “I assume you’ve seen more than enough of Bohdan’s work the last time you were here. Will you take Jocko back to the main stables and then come back and see what you can do to help MacDuff?”
“Sure, just what I had in mind,” he said flippantly. “You know how I adore dealing with horses. And MacDuff has had a soft spot for me since I showed up here to meddle in his business.” He waved his hand. “No problem. I’ll take care of it.” He went over to Jocko’s saddle and took Jane’s art case from the pommel. “But you might need this.” He came back and handed it to her. “You said you had some reading to do.” He took the horse’s reins and turned away. “And now I’ll see if I can find one of MacDuff’s grooms who I can con into taking this fine animal to that stable for me. I’m certain Jocko would be much happier with him.” A moment later she saw him strolling toward a group of workers near the fountain.
She turned back to Caleb. “Okay, I’ve braced myself. Take me for the grand tour.” She gazed at the destruction of what had been the beautiful front door. “But you did say that none of the paintings were stolen or damaged.”
He nodded. “I think you should see for yourself. You’re looking at the broken tiles and the burnt doors, but MacDuff is seeing the treasures that were left behind and how he can save what’s here. Even more, how he can build to make it even stronger and more beautiful.” He was nudging her toward the steps leading to the front door. “MacDuff is indomitable, and it will happen. It will be exciting to stay around and watch him do it.” He added softly as he pushed her through the shattered door into the grand hall, “And offer a little help now and then so that we’ll have our share of the great rebirth to come.” He was pulling her toward the gallery. “Now come and see that even a bastard like Bohdan couldn’t destroy those paintings.”
She was already in the gallery and gazing at the collection of the Old Masters and the portraits of MacDuff’s family through the centuries. He was right. It was vaguely comforting to see that this gallery and the paintings were just the same as before the attack. Comforting and yet engendering a fierce protectiveness to keep that status quo at any cost. She turned to Caleb. “But he’ll probably try again. We’ll stop him, Caleb.”
He nodded. “The drones surprised us. But Palik has guard units all over the castle and grounds now. No more surprises. They won’t be able to touch the Run again. MacDuff will be able to make his repairs in peace.” His lips tightened. “And we’ll be able to go on the hunt and reel the son of a bitch in.”
“It had better be soon,” she said. “Dr. Campbell may already be dead. You haven’t had a report from Palik about the unit he sent to Kilgoray yet?”
He shook his head. “But we may have time. Bohdan might not want to kill him right away. It sounded as if he wanted to use him.”
She flinched. “And that’s what I haven’t allowed myself to think about since that damn phone call. I liked Campbell; he was kind to me. I called him out of the blue asking for an appointment. I must have sounded desperate because he was very gentle and patient with me. I was so grateful he made time for me on his schedule.” She moistened her lips. “It would have been so much better if he hadn’t. None of this would have happened to him.”
“You would have found someone else. As you said, you were desperate. You had no idea that you were being followed.”
“I’m afraid for him, Caleb,” she whispered.
“I know, and it sucks,” he said roughly. He made a step toward her then stopped. “You won’t let me go after him and that’s the only way I can take care of it. Which means I have to wait for Palik to find him. Tell me what else I can do.”
She nodded quickly. “I’m not being fair. I just wish Palik would hurry.” She turned and moved toward the wall where Fiona’s portrait hung. She tried to change the subject. “You’ll be glad to know that, as ordered, Rodland tried to keep me entertained on the way here. He almost finished the MacClaren/Fiona story.”
“Almost?”
“I have to read a letter and fill in some blanks.”
“Did you like the way it turned out?”
“I like her, I like him. I found myself rooting for them. But I was frustrated about how the world was treating them until they took their fates into their own hands.”
“That’s the way it sometimes works out. So did they live happily ever after?”
“It wasn’t a fairy tale. I think it turned out to be a murder mystery. But they lived their lives the way they wanted to. I’d bet that they had a good time and a good life and tried not to hurt anyone if they could avoid it.”
“Except for the murder?”
“I’m sure that wasn’t their fault. He was supposed to have been a terrible man.”
He laughed. “I can’t wait until you fill me in on the rest of the tale. But I want you to check out the rest of the castle, so you’ll know that it’s in as good a shape as the gallery. Then we’re supposed to meet MacDuff in the library. Who knows? He might want to hear about Fiona’s murder mystery.”
She shook her head. “I’m not entirely sure it’s a murder mystery. It just makes sense that it might be. I won’t talk to MacDuff until I can tell him more than we know right now. I have to keep my promise.”
“You always do.” He brushed his lips across her temple. “Now let’s look around the castle at all the good things that are still here and then we’ll go talk to MacDuff.”
***
“You’ve caused a hell of a lot of trouble, Jane.” MacDuff was frowning as they walked into the library an hour later. “You should have come directly back here as soon as you knew the immediate danger was over. It was stupid of you to try tracking that damn sniper. Didn’t you realize that I’d be worried?”
“I resent that, MacDuff. It only would have been stupid if I hadn’t managed to catch the bastard. And how did I know if and when the immediate danger was over? The only immediate threat I could see was the man who had shot Rodland, and it seemed smart to take him out of the equation.” She walked across the room toward him. “And yes, I’m sorry you were worried, but I was busy, and I told you as soon as I could.” She reached out and grasped his hands in hers. Her voice was shaking as she looked up and met his eyes. “And I can’t tell you how sorry I am for my part in what happened here. It broke my heart.”
“Good God, you’re ready to burst into tears. That’s not like you at all.” He glanced over his shoulder at Caleb. “She’s embarrassing me. Can’t you do something?”
