“No. They’re fine. Sorry to alarm you.” Neil opened the passenger door. “I’ll explain in the motorcar. We’re going to Thurso.”
Lachlan drew in his chin. “I cannae. I have a meeting at Dunnet Head, and I’m late.”
“This is more important.” Neil glanced over Lachlan’s shoulder and stepped closer, his blue eyes intense. “A German spy came to the pub last night.”
A chill raced through Lachlan’s limbs. “Oh no.”
Neil gestured to the motorcar.
Ice crackled in Lachlan’s veins as he forced himself into the Rolls-Royce. MI5 promised they’d catch the spy at the drop site. At the railway station. Why was Jericho running free?
Neil slid behind the wheel. “I called the police, but the spy left before they arrived. So did I. I didnae want to explain, but now I’m ready.”
Lachlan gripped the bag in his lap as his thoughts whirred. “Tell me what happened.”
Neil drove up the path from the harbor. “I was at the Claymore and Heath waiting for my friends. A man went to the barman—and the barman sent him my way. The man asked if I was with Free Caledonia. He had a wee bit of a German accent. He’s a spy, I know it.”
Lachlan rubbed a fist over his mouth. “You called the police. Good. Do you—do you know if they caught the man?”
“We’ll find out at the police station.”
“Why me?” A disconcerting warble entered Lachlan’s voice. “Why do you want me coming along?”
“You need to file a report.” Neil chewed on his lower lip and sent Lachlan a concerned look. “About Cilla.”
“Cilla?”
At the main road, Neil turned south toward Thurso, and his mouth squirmed. “The man said he was supposed to meet with Cilla but didnae trust her doing a man’s work. I hate telling you, but she’s a spy too.”
A groan rolled out from deep in Lachlan’s gut. “No.”
Neil shot him a glare. “I know she’s turned your head, and I fear she’s turned your heart. But you cannae let her turn your mind.”
Did everyone know how he felt? But Lachlan had far greater concerns than his embarrassment. “I’m afraid you’re mistaken.”
Neil thumped the seat between them. “How did the spy know Cilla’s name? Think, man.”
Lachlan strained to pull in a few long breaths. “Neil, stop the motor and look at me.”
A scoffing sound, and Neil curled his upper lip.
“Stop the motor.” Lachlan pointed with his thumb over his shoulder. “You need to speak to Commander Yardley at Dunnet Head.”
“Who?”
“If we go to the police, they’ll bring in Yardley anyway. If we go to him straightaway, we’ll save a precious hour. Lives may be at stake.”
Neil stopped the motor. Confusion and suspicion wrestled together on his face. “You’re making no sense, man.”
“Aye.” Lachlan kept his voice low and firm, but he let mercy enter his heart and his expression. “I know you dinnae trust me, not after I turned you in to the police.”
Neil flinched and cut his gaze out the side window.
“But I’m asking you to trust me now,” Lachlan said. “You need to tell Yardley what happened, and you need to do so without delay.”
The engine idled, and Neil swung his gaze back to Lachlan.
Over a decade of treachery and anger and resentment throbbed in the space between them. But Lachlan called up the memory of when they had been close, when they’d loved each other, when they’d been united as brothers. Lachlan still loved his brother, and his chest ached for what they’d lost, thrown away, turned their backs on. “Please, Neil.”
