His words were soft yet so cold, Bethoc was not surprised when she shivered. It pleased her to feel Laurel do so as well, although she feared ugly memories of this room might have some part in it. She slipped her arm around Laurel’s shoulders and gave her a little squeeze.
“I wasnae doing that! I was just holding her down as I questioned her.”
“Ah, I see, and that works weel, does it? I am still rather curious as to what part your penis played for ye had it in your hand with your kilt hiked up high. Going to beat the truth out of her and forgot your stick, did ye?”
“Nay, I didnae. Ye . . . I . . .”
Sir Simon surged to his feet and then yanked the sheriff up. “I have some men ye need to meet.”
Uven and Robbie grabbed the guards. Callum went to collect up the woman but it was Laurel who went to Lorraine and led her away. He took Bethoc by the hand, pleased to find no resistance. It was clear what she had been through would not cause her to fully reject him.
“I was in time, aye?” he asked as they followed the others.
“Aye.” She managed a brief smile. “My braies confounded them.”
“Another reason many a Murray lass wears them. I think it was Elspeth who said they can buy ye a few moments to get free.”
“Or have some men kick down the door so they can all rush in and start tossing men around.”
“Aye, that too.” He gave her a quick kiss on her cheek.
Bethoc was feeling safe again and she savored the feeling. “Ye have some powerful friends,” she murmured with a nod toward Sir Simon.
“Ah, weel, Robbie fetched him. Seems all this reminded Sir Simon of when his wife was wrongly arrested. He is wed to a Murray lass. Elspeth’s daughter in truth. Two strong reasons. I also think it has been a while since he has had a good puzzle to solve.”
“Was he really the King’s Hound?”
“Aye. He had a reputation for being honest and unrelenting in his search for the truth. Beginning to see why,” Callum said as they reached the sheriff’s office.
The sheriff looked at the two men tied up on the floor and all the color drained from his face. He staggered to his chair and sat down. Uven and Robbie shoved the two guards against the wall and stood watch over them. It was then that Callum realized William had fled.
“William has taken to his heels,” said Callum.
“I doubt a mon who looks like him will be hard to find if we need him,” said Sir Simon and then he looked at the sheriff. “I believe ye ken these two men.”
“Aye,” the sheriff muttered, looking as if he was about to weep.
“Weel, they have confessed to attacking Sir Callum here, of torturing and murdering Kerr Matheson, and of gutting Robert MacKray. They also claim ye were aware of all of it.” He glanced at the scarred man. “Who are ye?”
“Ian MacDuff.” He tilted his head toward the other man caught with him. “This is Dougal Marr.”
“Are ye weel acquainted with the sheriff?”
“Aye, but he isnae the one we work for.”
“And who would that be?”
“Nay sure but he is close to the laird, mayhap e’en one of the mon’s sons. What did I care? His money was good.”
Sir Simon took a deep breath and let it out slowly then quietly asked, “And Master Halliday?”
“What of him? He is dead. Got his throat cut, didnae he?”
“Strange that ye ken how he died.”
“Why? ’Tis a village. People talk.”
“Mistress Halliday, might I ask just when your husband died?” Sir Simon politely asked.
