“Sometimes there isn’t time to consult and discuss.”

“There may not be any urgency connected to this trip at all. Maybe Gillem is right, and this is a wild-goose chase.”

“It could be. But it’s worth a shot. Don’t let him bring you down.”

“He’s not. I’m just trying not to get my hopes up.” But that wasn’t going to happen. She was charged with excitement. That breathless moment on the plane when she’d seen that tiny square superimposed on the computer map was still with her. She wanted to be there, see for herself. “It’s hard to be cool and analytical when I want to move, to fly.”

“Cool, you’re not,” he said. “I’ve never seen you anything but intense and charged with emotion even when you’re trying to hide it. And I like the idea of your flying.” He added softly, “So screw anyone who wants to keep you grounded.”

She felt warmth surge through her. She had to tear her gaze away from his. She said lightly, “That’s what I say. Screw them.”

MacDuff’s Run

“WILL THERE BE ANYTHING ELSE?” Mrs. Dalbrey asked as she set the tray down on the table in Eve’s room. “It’s soup and sandwiches as you asked. I made lemon pudding for a sweet. Would you like me to take off the covers and set the table?”

“No, Ms. Alsouk will be here any moment.” Eve closed her suitcase and fastened it. “I’ll do it then. Thank you, Mrs. Dalbrey.”

“You’re very welcome.” The housekeeper hesitated. “I’ll be back to pick up the tray when you call me. If that will suit you.”

Eve smiled. “That will be fine.”

Mrs. Dalbrey still stood at the door. “I understand you’re leaving us. I want to say that I’ve enjoyed serving you, Ms. Duncan.” She paused. “I hope all goes well with you. Oh, I do hope that.” She turned, and her voice was muffled as she went out the door. “Good luck and God bless.”

“Thank you. You’ve been very-” But the housekeeper was gone.

Eve frowned, puzzled. The woman had always been pleasant, but they hadn’t done more than exchange a few words in the time she’d been here. Yet those last words had been tinged with emotion. It struck her as odd that-

A knock on the door.

MacDuff stood there when she opened it. “I wish you to stay,” he said curtly. “Change your mind. Nothing has changed because Jane has taken it into her head to go on this wild-goose chase. You’re still in just as much danger. Maybe more. Millet’s men are still moving about the hills above the castle waiting to pounce. Leave here, and you give them their chance at you.”

She shook her head. “I can’t hide away here forever while Jane goes trekking about the world. I have to be out and doing something. Joe and I have taken care of ourselves for a long time. We’ll be all right, MacDuff.”

“You’re making a mistake.”

“Perhaps. I’ve made them before.” She smiled. “And so have you. It’s what makes us what we are. Thank you for mounting guard and keeping me safe, MacDuff. I know it was for Jane’s sake, but it was kind nevertheless.”

He didn’t speak for a moment. “It wasn’t entirely for Jane’s sake. I have a liking for you, Eve Duncan.” He started to turn away. “Enjoy your dinner. I’ll see you in the morning before you leave. I’m going to the hills to check with my men there to make sure Millet’s men aren’t moving closer. There have been some signs that may be happening. It wouldn’t do to have your helicopter blown out of the sky, would it?”

“What a pleasant thought.”

“I’m not feeling pleasant. I’m frustrated and angry and dour.” He strode down the hall. “I’ll take you to your helicopter tomorrow and see you safely off my land.”

So much the Laird. In this moment, she could clearly see in him the Robber Barons who had been his ancestors.

And she had a liking for MacDuff, too.

“He’s angry,” Lina said as she came down the hall from her own room. Her gaze was on MacDuff’s straight back and the barely contained tension of his carriage as he started down the staircase. “What did you do to him?”

“I said no.” She stepped aside to let Lina enter. “He doesn’t like the word.” She gestured to the table. “Mrs. Dalbrey already brought our meal. She wished us good luck.”

“That was kind.” She looked at Eve. “You made the arrangements?”

Eve nodded. “Joe is coming himself. He’ll be arranging for the helicopter and will be on the helipad at eight tomorrow morning.”

“He didn’t argue?”

“Yes, I told you that Joe is never easy. But I think you’ll like him.” She moved toward the table. “Now help me set out our meal, then we’ll talk. I’ll tell you about my work and Joe, and you can tell me whatever you feel safe sharing with me.”

“Safe?”

She removed the silver covers from the dishes. “I imagine you’re not accustomed to feeling safe in confiding many experiences. I’m the same way. Perhaps we can work our way through to some kind of understanding.”

Lina stared at her for a moment, then moved across the room to help her set out the plates. She said quietly, “Perhaps we can.”

“IT’S OVER THERE BEYOND that farmhouse,” Gillem said as he parked the car beneath a tree. “I’ll wait for you here.” He checked his watch. “You have less than two hours now. I won’t be here if you come back later.”

Caleb glanced at Jane as he got out and held the door open for her. “Attitude adjustment?”

“No.” She was barely aware of what he had said. Her gaze was fixed on the farmhouse, and she began moving toward it. Her excitement was growing by the moment, and she could feel her heart start to pound. It was there. She knew it was there.

Beyond that house she’d be able to see the field.

“Suppose I scout around a little.” Jock had caught up with her, and his gaze was raking the farmhouse. “This place doesn’t seem to have had very good upkeep. Gillem mentioned terrorist activity and possible drug dealers. I think it would be a good idea to see if he’s right.”

Jane nodded. “Do what you like.” Her pace quickened. “I’m going to find that field.”

“I’ll go with her,” Caleb said. “Catch up with us, Gavin.”

“Right.” Jock faded away toward the rear of the farmhouse.

Jane moved down the dirt road bordering the farmyard. The moon was behind a cloud, and she could barely see her hand in front of her face. Damn, she hoped she didn’t run into anything.

Oh good, the clouds were starting to drift away, and there was bright moonlight. Just in time she skirted a rake in the middle of the path. She had seen a few tools scattered in the farmyard before she had started down this path. Again, not a good sign. Good farmers took care of their equipment. Perhaps Jock was right to check up on-

She stopped, her gaze going to the earth that stretched before her. “Good Lord.”

Caleb gave a low whistle. “Yes, I could see this land being cursed.”

The field was large, perhaps eight or ten acres and stretched out flat and puckered like the bottom of a riverbed. In places it appeared scored by some kind of sharp tool that had formed wavy, snakelike indentations that seemed to writhe as the light changed. Even in the dim illumination cast by the moonlight, she could see the dark earth that must have been rusty-red. Surrounded by the lush crop planting of the farmlands, the solitary field appeared stark and barren, yet teeming with eerie life.

She could almost see Hadar standing beside her watching those four crucifixes burning in the darkness.

She shuddered.

“Those rolling hills bordering the field to the south are our only hope for a cave,” Caleb said. “Let’s get moving.”

“Right.” She braced herself and started toward the field.

The red earth was quicksand soft, squishy, yielding beneath her feet, and she tried to ignore the feeling that any moment it would pull her down and suffocate her. She found she was even trying to avoid stepping on the scored snakelike indentations.

Ridiculous. Imagination.

Yet there was no question that her pace was quickening as she was halfway across the field.