“A boat getaway is unlikely,” I agree. “The next obvious question, who does the clan have a paggerwith right now?”
“Take your pick,” Cameron jumps in, “the Irish, we canna kill those Doherty bastards fast enough. There’s a Brazilian cartel that’s not fond of us after Lachlan blew up their airfield.”
“Along with six of their planes loaded with high-grade cocaine sittin’ on the tarmac,” Dougal sighs.
“I canna blame him for that one,” Michael admits.
“Aye, they were mighty arseholes,” Cameron adds.
“The point is,” Cormac cuts in, “is that kidnapping my daughter dinnae match with the modus operandi of any of the groups we’re dealing with. Trying to slaughter all our men, aye. But kidnapping a MacTavish female, even one as accomplished as my Catriona, it dinnae fit.”
“No demand for ransom?” I already know the answer as everyone’s shoulders slump. “Who’sbeen through her phone, her computer in the lab?”
“We’re trying to match up any competitors based on her current research,” Cormac says. “Her lab assistant and Georges are going through it now.”
“I’m guessing they took her cell when they grabbed her,” I say, “but I know how good the MacTavish security protocol is with personal data. Can I start with her download history?”
“Aye, a’course,” Cormac nods. “Michael here took a cursory look, but let’s see what ye can find.”
Michael stands up and jerks his head toward the door. Aye, he still hates me. I give the Chieftain a respectful nod before following him.
“I canna believe Da called ye in,” Michael says, ushering me into a smaller office. “But if ye can find Catriona, anything ye want… I’ll get it for ye, guaranteed.” He chokes a bit, turning away.
“Pull up her phone records, please.” My voice isn’t too steady either. “Social media, emails.” I flip open the laptop, waiting for him to hit the security code.
It’s killing him, I know it, allowing me a look into his sister’s personal life. I’ve never hated him, even though Michael was very firmly in favor of killing me. He looks too much like Cat, the dark hair, and fierce jade-colored eyes, they even smile and laugh the same.
I settle in front of the desk, my fingers lingering on the keyboard. “I’ll leave ye to it, then.” He turns to leave.
“Michael?”
“Aye?”
“There’s nothing I want from your family. But I’ll find her.”
Focusing on the screen, I dinnae hear him leave.
***
Pakhan - The head of a Russian Bratva
Have a pagger - Scottish slang for having a fight, or a beef with someone
Chapter Four
In which Catriona is not enjoying playing princess in the castle.
Catriona…
I spend the rest of the afternoon walking off the residual effects of whatever they used on me and trying to figure out where the hell I am.
Geography has never been my strength, unfortunately.
The castle is enormous, built of golden stone on a cliff overlooking a magnificent stretch of mountain range. I see why they put me on this side and dinnae bother to lock the doors to the terrace. My suite’s balcony is nearly dangling off the rock edge.
I guess I should be counting my blessings. No torture.
So far, at any rate.
