Captive, p.10
Captive, page 10
“Did you find out?”
“Not entirely. She won all those ribbons as a young girl, so we knew she was probably a sportswoman and not likely to be fascinated by the mechanics of a locomotive.” She frowned. “Of course, she might have been thinking of escape since Jamie was trying to sell her down the river. But it might have been more complicated than that.” She tapped her finger on a faded, vellum-covered book she was holding. “For instance, there was a railway service that operated from the Highlands to the coast that was used by both the farmers and lairds. It was past the time of the border reivers, but there was still an occasional robbery after the railroads were built. Actually, that particular railroad wasn’t located too far from where Jamie raised Fiona before he decided to become more respectable and move closer to his brother, Colin, at MacDuff’s Run. The builders got mega donations from both the rich landowners and some of the less-than-honest descendants of the reivers who ran the border before the law got tough on them. As a matter of fact, they called the railroad the Reiver after it was finished. But that didn’t last long. They changed it to the Great Exeter Transport later. It turned out to be quite a luxurious production and extended from the upper Highlands to the forests below the border. It’s still there, but now it’s become more of a historical tourist attraction.” She grinned. “I was so fascinated by the map that I spent most of last night going over it until I practically had it memorized. It was so convoluted I’ll bet that the reivers had more to do with the construction than those rich landowners. They were probably up to no good.”
“My, what a suspicious mind,” he said. “It must come from the company you keep. Everyone knows what kind of reputation Seth Caleb has.”
Jane’s smile disappeared. “Do they? You obviously don’t know very much about him,” she said curtly. “But you knew enough to let him save your life, didn’t you? You thought he was good enough for that.”
“Whoa.” He held up his hand defensively. “Don’t attack me. It was just a remark. If I’d wanted to insult Caleb, I would have done it to his face.” He added wryly, “And taken the consequences. I never asked Palik what your relationship was to Caleb, but he dropped enough hints that I knew you were special. That’s why I took the damn job. But I’m not going to pussyfoot around and pretend I don’t know who and what Caleb is.” He gave her a lopsided smile. “When I’ve made a study of him, and probably know his capabilities better than the director of MI6.”
She tensed. “Perhaps you know a little too much. I’m sure Bohdan would pay well.”
“No doubt. But you trust Seth Caleb and realize he would never be fool enough to risk you by sending in someone he’d have to clean up after. Think about it.”
She was thinking about it. She relaxed a little. “Then you said the wrong thing.”
“It happens.” He shrugged. “But I also thought that since you were possibly dragging me into hot water, we should get to be a little more familiar so that you could trust me.”
“For instance?”
“You could let me know what’s happening at Kilgoray,” he said coaxingly.
She shook her head.
“If you’re going to meet a lover, I’m not about to tell Caleb. That’s between the two of you. I’m supposed to keep you safe, not act as truant officer. But it would help to know more in case I need to execute my primary duty.”
She shook her head again.
“Okay, I could only try.” He added soberly, “But you need to know that even if I have to go at this blind, I’ll do what has to be done and keep you safe for Caleb. So don’t do anything stupid.”
“I’m never stupid. I’ve been known to make occasional mistakes.” She stared at him coolly. “And you told me flat out you were working for Palik and had hardly spoken to Caleb when I asked you.”
“It’s true. But it’s still all about Caleb.” He was suddenly smiling. “And because you’re not stupid, you’d see right through anything I said and realize that he’s the center. Though in this instance he obviously gave that designation to you.”
“I could do without it. Why is it all about Caleb?” She was working it out. “You said he’d saved your life, but you were very casual about it. Then you took the job with Palik after you recovered…” Her gaze was fixed on his face. “So maybe you weren’t that casual. Just how did he save your life?”
“By taking my place after the Taliban had tied me to a tree and were in the process of whipping me to death. He was outnumbered, but he sent some of his men to get me away and let them take him instead.” He shrugged. “He escaped later that night, but they’d hurt him. I tried to thank him later, but he ignored me. He was impatient as hell. He said he didn’t want to hear it. I heard later that he was always like that, but I couldn’t let it go. It might not have meant much to him, but it did to me.”
“So, you decided to stick around and find a way to pay him back.” It was a statement. “You took the job with Palik.”
“It was a good job. Palik is fair.” He paused. “And everyone knows that Caleb is the Hunter and Palik works with him whenever he can. But I didn’t think it would take this long. I was about ready to move on.”
She shook her head. “You wouldn’t have done that.”
His brows rose. “Why not?”
“Because it’s Seth Caleb. It’s hard to move on from Caleb. He’s…special. You knew that.” Her lips indented at the corners. “I’m sure you have the wounds to prove it.”
He nodded. “And I’m doing my best to keep you from having any of your own wounds to worry him. Kilgoray?”
“No wounds there that won’t heal.” Her voice softened. “But I want you to know that I’m grateful to you for wanting to save him from pain. A lot of people take from him and don’t give back. They believe since they know about all those skills and how tough he is that he doesn’t need any help at all.” She met his eyes. “Like you did, but you were going to give it anyway.”
“My choice.”
“Everyone has choices. But you made the right one as far as I’m concerned.”
“But you still won’t talk about Kilgoray.”
She ignored the comment. “I want you to pick me up at the boat dock as soon as darkness falls.” She opened the historical book in front of her. “You’ll like the pub. Jock, the bartender, is funny. Caleb and I spent an afternoon there a couple of months ago. I promise I won’t keep you waiting there long.” She waved her hand. “Now hush while I look at the photos and sketches of this Reiver train. Someone spent a long time on the decorations on these cars…”
Chapter
7
Kilgoray, Scotland
7:15 P.M.
You’re right, pleasant little village.” It was almost dark when Rodland tied off the motorboat at the pier. He jumped out and swung Jane onto the pier. “Emphasis on little.” His gaze raked the stone buildings that lined the narrow streets. “Several shops, a tearoom.” He smiled as he heard music issuing from a brightly lit building a few doors away. There was an outdoor patio with several tables and chairs beneath the tan-and-blue umbrellas. “And that must be my designated home away from home. Jock’s pub?”
“That’s right.” She could feel her tension growing and she drew a deep breath. She turned to her left and headed for the bank of shops and offices down the street. “Have an ale on me. I’ll see you soon. I’ll watch the time. We have to get back to MacDuff’s Run.”
“Sure, I’ll just be sitting here at one of Jock’s outdoor tables.” He dropped down in a chair. “Will you tell me which shop or building you’ll be going into?”
“No.” She looked back at him. “But I’ll be close enough that you’d be able to hear me from that chair if I called out to you. So don’t follow me. If you do, I won’t trust you again.”
He was silent. “I’ll give you an hour. Then I’ll come and find you.”
“It shouldn’t take longer than that.” She waved and turned right into the bank of shops.
She stopped and drew a deep breath as she glanced back at the pub. Rodland was sitting totally at ease, but his gaze was still fixed on where she’d disappeared. Forget about him. Think about Caleb. Concentrate on what she had to do and hope she could trust Rodland. If she couldn’t, she’d worry about handling the fallout later. That might be the least of her worries.
She glanced away from Rodland and hurried down the next street and into the foyer of the sandstone building set back from the cobblestone street.
Get it over with.
She hadn’t thought she’d be in a panic, but the panic was there…
* * *
“You’re early.” Rodland straightened in his chair as he saw Jane coming toward him. “Fifty-five minutes.”
Jane chuckled. “And were you about to jump up from your chair and start stalking if I didn’t show up exactly on time?”
“Probably.” His eyes were narrowed on her face. “I might have given you an extra five or ten minutes, but I’d have to keep my word to you. We had an agreement.”
She was still smiling. “Which was really an agreement you had with Palik and Caleb. I was just an afterthought.”
“It didn’t turn out that way. You turned the tables on me. But I’m glad that it seems to have worked out well for you.” He got to his feet and threw some money on the table. “Very well. You’re…happy. Whoever it was must have satisfied you.”
She nodded. “Absolutely.” Her smile faded. “But you’re wasting that additional five minutes I gave you. We have to get back to the Run. Let’s get out of here.” She turned and headed for the pier at a run. “I’ve no desire to have to explain to MacDuff what I was doing here with you.”
“But once he saw your expression, he’d realize how happy I’d made you.” His grin held a catlike hint of mischief. “Though that might keep him guessing. He might enjoy the idea that I’d made you forget about Seth Caleb for a little while. I’ve noticed there appears to be a certain antagonism in his attitude about Caleb on occasion.”
“Their relationship is complicated.” She jumped into the boat as he untied it. “They respect each other, but MacDuff likes to run things and there’s no way Caleb will allow that to happen.”
“Particularly anything to do with you.” He snapped his fingers. “Fiona. Is it something to do with the family?”
“Heavens no,” she said flatly. “Caleb understands how I feel and would never interfere with my family. And he’s always had the same fascination with Fiona as MacDuff. It’s probably just two alpha males wanting their own way. Most of the time they manage to get along.” She was looking back at Kilgoray as he pulled away from the pier. “You should understand that concept.”
“I’ve never tried to go head-to-head with Caleb. It’s hard not to remember what he went through to keep me alive. It puts a damper on any aggressiveness I might be feeling.”
“I can see how it might.” The wind was caressing her cheeks and the moonlight was casting a shimmer on the sea. It was over! Everything seemed wonderfully alive in this moment. The relief was zinging through her. “Maybe you could work on it,” she said lightly. “You already have an edge. Caleb told Palik he was to keep you alive.”
“Very funny,” he said sourly. “I’m not amused.” He shot her a glance. “But you are. You wouldn’t care to tell me why you’re in such a good mood?”
She grinned. “It must be a feeling of accomplishment. I had something to do, and I did it. It’s finished.” She added, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. You’d be even more welcome if you assured me that we weren’t going to make this journey again. You have to admit there’s a certain amount of risk to a jaunt like this. Can you do that?”
“I don’t see why not. As I said, it’s finished. It’s not as if I want to risk anything happening to me. It was just…necessary.” She met his eyes. “I’m not going to demand anything like that again. The most dangerous thing I’ll ask is that you help me with Fiona so that I can give MacDuff some answers in return for all he’s doing for me.” She shrugged. “And it’s not as if this little trip caused any real trouble. We skimmed over there and now we’re halfway back. Did you see anyone suspicious while you were waiting for me?”
He shook his head. “Did you?”
She grinned. “No. You keep trying, don’t you?”
“Always,” he said. “And just because we made it here doesn’t mean we can be certain no one knew that we did it. Or that security wasn’t breached while we’ve been gone. After we get back, I’ll slip you into the castle and I’ll do a trek around the property and the boat dock to be sure there aren’t any signs that would make me uneasy. Sound good?”
“Of course it does. I told you that from now on I’m not taking any chances.”
“Music to my ears.” He smiled. “And tomorrow I’ll start helping you with Fiona again.” He pressed on the accelerator and the boat leaped forward as he caught sight of MacDuff’s Run on the horizon. “And we’ll forget about Kilgoray.”
But Kilgoray was very much on her mind as they were climbing back up the curving steps through the dark stable to get to the courtyard twenty minutes later.
Jane’s phone rang.
She inhaled sharply as she saw the number. “Caleb.”
He shook his head. “Not the time. Ignore it.”
“I don’t ignore Caleb. Not ever.” She’d reached the stall level and she leaned against the wall, her gaze on the brightly lit screen. “I’ll take the call. Go ahead if you want to.”
“That wasn’t the plan.”
“Then do what you want.” She pressed the access. “Caleb?”
“I won’t keep you long,” Caleb said. “I think I just wanted to hear your voice. And I told you I’d be in touch. Is everything with you okay?”
“Why wouldn’t it be? I have an army here keeping an eye on me. Are you in Naples?”
“Yes. But I don’t know how long I’ll be here. I’m getting impatient. Bohdan hasn’t shown up yet. Palik is sure he will, but I might have to do something to stir the man into action.”
“The last actions he took involved beheading and torture,” Jane said. “Why can’t you let MI6 do the stirring?”
“As I said, I’m impatient. I was uneasy about the way I left you. Everything is crazy now and I have to make it right. I want to get back to you.” He cleared his throat. “You haven’t said anything about Rodland. Is he working out for you?”
“I can’t complain. Rodland is doing all right.” She looked at Rodland standing by the stable door. “At least he’s been doing what I tell him to do.”
Rodland nodded mockingly and tipped his hand to his head.
Caleb was silent. Then he said suddenly, “He’s with you now, isn’t he? I can tell by your tone. Where are you?”
Damn. She had forgotten how sensitive Caleb always was to her every tone and expression. Standing here in the darkness she had felt safe. But she wouldn’t lie to him.
“I’m in the courtyard stable. Rodland has been helping me go through the Fiona diaries and historical documents. We’ve almost finished with the storage units here.”
“The stable,” he repeated. “How helpful?”
Suddenly the darkness seemed terribly intimate as she remembered the last time she’d been in this stable with Caleb. Her breasts were swelling and her pulse was pounding in the hollow of her throat. “Helpful enough. He gets bored easily. But he did come up with an idea about the railroad tracks.” She went on quickly, “But it’s time I got back to the castle now. We only worked late because MacDuff wasted hours of our day with trying to trip Rodland up getting out of that ancient dungeon.”
“It all sounds very…pleasant and amusing. But perhaps I should let you get back to the castle. I’m glad you’re keeping busy.” He was silent again. “Tell Rodland that he should spend more time taking care of you and less with MacDuff’s games.”
“You’re the one who sent him. Do you want to tell him yourself?”
“Not now. I don’t believe it’s come to that yet. I’ll keep an eye on the situation and call you soon. Good night, Jane.” He cut the connection.
“Whew,” Rodland said. “Am I in trouble?”
“Why should you be? All I did was tell him the truth.”
“Not quite all the truth. Are you going to tell him about Kilgoray?”
“Eventually. Now isn’t the time.”
“I believe that’s what I said. You took the call anyway.”
“That was different. It would be like ignoring Caleb himself. I’d never do that.” She made a face. “It’s not possible. We have problems but we’re way past lies or games. We just have to get past this patch to the other side.”
“Really?” he asked curiously. “And what is on the other side?”
She smiled brilliantly. “I can’t wait to see. Something wonderful and challenging and splendid. Because we’ll make it that way.”
Rodland’s gaze was still on her face as he nodded slowly. “I believe you mean it. I’m relieved. You do care about him. I admit I didn’t feel I could entirely accept that you weren’t meeting a lover at Kilgoray. It was the logical conclusion. I wasn’t sure how I was going to have to handle that complication.”
Jane’s jaw dropped. “You weren’t going to handle it at all. I wouldn’t have let you. Not your business.”
“Wrong,” he said quietly. “You became my business the minute I found out Caleb was moving heaven and earth to keep you safe. I owe him my life, and it’s going to be hard as hell to clear that debt. So, this is payback. I just have to make sure that nothing gets in the way of me giving him what he needs.”
“Not even if I’d choose to not go along?” she asked sarcastically.
“A complication.” He smiled. “One I don’t have to face now. You were very eloquent. Whatever you were doing at the village, it didn’t have anything to do with any relationship that would hurt Seth Caleb.”
“And what would you do if it had?”
“Anything I had to do,” he said simply. “But why worry? I would have tried to work it out. And now it’s not necessary. We can start fresh. So just consider me your good angel who’s standing by to sweep all the demons from your path.” He was suddenly beside her at the stable door. “Stay here while I take a look around the courtyard. I’ll have you tucked back in the castle in another ten minutes.”
