“We have a problem,” Conall said, his eyes flickering from Kai to the others. “I found MacGuinness all right and managed to overhear some of his conversation. Heisexpecting a delivery today, and itisbeing delivered by a man called Alfred. But it seems our erstwhile friend was a little more devious than we gave him credit for and didnae tell us everything. Alfred was to make the delivery but he wasnae coming alone, nor was he the holder of the contract. He was to be accompanied by the person whose name the contract is in: Alice Brewer. His wife.”
Chapter 10
“What?” Kai said incredulously, sure he must have heard wrong. “His wife?”
Conall shrugged. “That’s what the merchant said. Alice and Alfred Brewer are making a delivery today.” He rubbed his chin. “This is gonna cause some problems. If we dinna turn up with Alice, they’ll be suspicious—”
“Damn right they will!” Kai growled. He spun on Magnus. “Why didnae ye tell me about this?”
“Because Alfred never mentioned Alice,” the big man replied, spreading his hands. “Despite the Order’s questioning. Sneaky bastard put on a good show. Even had me believing he was just a sniveling little toad willing to sell his grandmother for the highest price.”
“Perhaps he was just protecting his wife,” Emeric suggested. “Perhaps he kept his mouth shut for her sake.”
Kai snorted. He doubted that very much. He’d come across countless men like Alfred Brewer before. More often than not they were weak-willed and spineless, and like Magnus said, willing to sell their grandmothers if it saved their own skin. But still.
“So why wasnae Alice with Alfred when we caught him on the road?” he asked.
Magnus shrugged. “He lives up West Heath way. The road to Aberfeldy passes not a mile south. Perhaps he was going to pick her up on the way.”
Aye, that would make sense. Ah, damn it all! Kai cursed under his breath. They couldn’t afford to lose their chance to catch up with Snarlsson.
“So, what’s the problem?” Oskar asked. “We just pretend Alice is ill or something which is why she’s not here. Who will know?”
“Oh, they’ll know,” Kai replied. “If Alice Brewer is the contact, MacGuinness willnae make the deal with anyone else. He’ll be on his guard and any hint that something’s not right will send him running.”
“Then what do we do?”
“I dinna know yet! Be quiet and let me think!”
“I’ll do it,” Caitlin said suddenly.
Kai spun towards her. “I’m sorry?”
She had her arms folded and a determined look on her face. “You need this Alice Brewer, right? There’s a good chance that the man you’re going to see doesn’t know what Alice looks like seeing as Alfred said he never met his contact. Right?”
“Aye,” Kai said slowly, not liking where she was going with this.
