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Chapter
15
Stable Storage Room
MacDuff’s Run
Two Days Later
I’d forgotten how dusty these rooms are,” Rodland said as he came down the curving staircase. “You don’t know how lucky you were that I put up with them. It was a great sacrifice.”
“Well, you haven’t had to put up with them for the last couple of days,” Jane said dryly. “I haven’t seen anything of you since I called. You didn’t even phone me.”
“I was busy. You couldn’t expect me to be at your beck and call. Caleb got to me first, so I had other fish to fry.” He squatted down on the step beside her, his gaze narrowed on her face. “You’re looking good…glowing. I always thought that was bullshit about pregnant women.” He frowned. “But should you be down here? Is the dust bad for you?”
“No, I take breaks down on the boat dock. But it is bad for me to not know what the hell is going on with you. I gave you an assignment.”
“I had to strike a balance.” He took out his phone and dialed photos. “Want to see your competition? This is Burton Adams. But so far, I’ve only been meeting him at the dark of night outside his apartment or in the men’s rooms of restaurants.” He showed her the photo of a slim, thirtyish man with a receding hairline. He was wearing an elegant white jacket over a navy silk shirt. “Bohdan and Chiswick are stashed in safe houses in a small town in Wales and they move almost every day. Adams has his own apartment nearby, but he doesn’t hang out with them.” He shrugged. “He’s a bit on the nervous side, but he took Palik’s money, and I don’t think he likes Bohdan or Chiswick. We’ll have to see if it works out for us. He’s very slick, but he can sometimes come off as sincere and enthusiastic. He’s got a meeting with Bohdan tomorrow and we’ve got to hope he can convince him. I’m going to make him wear a wire so that I can hear if he’s going to be okay. I had him spin his story for me once before and he was very believable.”
“If he’s not, he may end up dead.” She shivered. “And I chose him.” She gave Rodland back the phone. “And what story did you give Adams to spin for Bohdan? Did you get any hints from tracing MacClaren?”
“Actually, I did. MacClaren had a life completely different from the one he lived when he was with Fiona. He rented a two-room shack near the main railway station at the border. He got to know all the engineers and people who ran the trains. He spent most of the evenings he wasn’t with Fiona in a bar sketching them. He loved the life. He liked the people. That’s where he got to know Kevin Saldaron.
“And that’s where Saldaron hired him to paint his murals for the train car. MacClaren thought he was going to be working up in the foothills, but Saldaron sent him up to a branch of the main line located in the Highlands. It had been paid for by a rich stockholder in the company, a procedure that wasn’t that unusual. Money was everything in getting a new railway started. Saldaron transferred the railcar up to the Highland rail yard so the measurements would be correct. He said it was quiet up there and MacClaren would be able to concentrate. That was fine with MacClaren. All he knew was that he’d be close to Fiona and be able to work. Life was good.”
“But the branch was bought and paid for by Graeme,” Jane guessed. “And he had a reason that he wanted that diversion off the main track.”
“If he knew the treasure was hidden somewhere in that general direction, it would be very convenient,” Rodland said. “He would have time and leisure to grab this particular Cira treasure and not have to share it with Colin, the current laird of the Run. And he’d made arrangements to marry Fiona, one of the MacDuff women, and no one would question if he suddenly got an additional influx of cash.”
“Only his plans fell apart?” Jane was taking it step by step. “Fiona disappeared and at first he wouldn’t have suspected she had anything to do with stealing his treasure because MacClaren had left for America months before.” She added, “And Fiona had made certain Graeme believed she was reconciled to the marriage.”
“Then who was the culprit?” Rodland asked in a mock-hushed voice.
“Saldaron. He would have been on the suspect list, because he agreed to the spur arrangement and Graeme wouldn’t trust him not to have snooped.” She tilted her head. “Right?”
Rodland nodded. “That would be reasonable. Particularly since Saldaron’s home was ransacked two weeks later. The police found a few pieces of clothing belonging to Fiona when they searched the house. Saldaron knew better than to try to vindicate himself when it came to the laird’s niece. He packed up and left the next day.” He met Jane’s gaze. “Was it just in time to avoid getting killed by Graeme who thought he’d stolen his treasure? Or was he framed by MacClaren to draw the heat away from Fiona? It could have gone either way.”
“You mean you didn’t find out?”
“I only had a few days,” he protested. “But I’d bet the treasure was stolen from Graeme or he wouldn’t have shown up later in America looking for MacClaren and Fiona. MacClaren could have stolen the treasure himself to have a nest egg for his Fiona.”
“Or not.”
“Or not,” he agreed. “I know you prefer to believe in love’s young dream. But at any rate, I’m sure that Adams will embroider the story to suit himself and his audience. I guarantee that Bohdan doesn’t give a damn for love’s young dream. Adams will go for capturing you and Caleb and forcing you to tell him with whom or where that treasure can be found in the most painful way possible.”
“You always know how to cheer me up.”
“You don’t need anyone to do that. You’ll be floating on air if you and Caleb can bring Bohdan down.” He grinned. “And at least Adams can use that rail yard in the Highlands to make his story more authentic.” He winked at her. “And if you’re extremely lucky, I might free myself to help you a bit. I’ve been feeling quite like a second father lately toward that child you’re going to produce.”
“I’m touched. But it might be better if you just work at keeping Adams alive and let me take care of her.”
“Whatever you say.” He got to his feet. “It’s a girl?”
“I have no idea. Caleb appears to think so. It’s easier not to argue.”
“I’ve found that to be true.” He added, “But I’m glad that you don’t seem to be angry with him any longer.” He gazed at her curiously. “Or are you?”
“I might be. I haven’t had a chance to test the waters lately. We’ve both been busy for the past couple of days.” She was no longer smiling. “Be careful. I’m grateful that you’re doing this for us. But I don’t want it blowing up in your face. I’d much rather you come back and help me find a happy ending to Fiona’s story.”
