A sharp huff, and Neil cranked the wheel around and drove north toward Dunnet Head. “What is going on?”
He couldn’t tell him, but saying so would snap the thin thread of trust. “Only Yardley can decide what to tell you.”
“No sense at all.”
“Aye.” A new concern writhed in Lachlan’s gut. “Have you told anyone else about the spy? Father? Mother? Your friends from Free Caledonia? Anyone?”
“No one.” Neil’s mouth puckered. “I wanted to tell you first. Because of Cilla.”
“Thank you.” Emotion thickened his voice. Despite all that had happened between them, Neil cared about Lachlan’s safety, even his heart.
His mind overflowed with questions, but they had to wait. “I want you to recall every detail. What the man looked like, his mannerisms, every word he said. Dinnae tell me. Wait and tell Yardley.”
“Aye.” Neil accelerated up the long—far too long—rise to the lighthouse.
Lachlan rapped his fist on his bag and prayed the police had caught the spy. If they hadn’t, the man was running free. He knew Cilla’s name, certainly knew she was at Dunnet Head.
What had gone wrong? Why had Jericho gone to the pub instead of the railway station? Had something alarmed him?
Over and over, Lachlan rapped his fist. If MI5 hadn’t caught the man, Cilla was in the gravest danger.
At the lighthouse, Lachlan showed Neil where to park. Then he hopped out and loped into the courtyard, motioning for Neil to follow.
Gwen and Imogene stood talking by the lighthouse door.
“Where’s Cilla?” he called as he ran. “Is she safe?”
“She’s inside.” Imogene pointed up to the tower.
“Good. Dinnae let anyone in.”
“That’s why we’re here.”
Thank goodness. They knew of the danger. “Yardley? Where is he?”
“In his office.” The ladies stared at Neil.
“He’s with me.” Lachlan veered toward the keeper’s house. He shoved open the door and marched into Yardley’s office.
The commander sat up straight at his desk and stared at Lachlan and Neil, certainly shocked to see a civilian.
Lachlan removed his cap. “Commander, this is my brother, Neil Mackenzie. Neil, this is Cdr. Ernest Yardley. Neil had a suspicious visitor last night at the Claymore and Heath.”
“You’re the one who called the police.” Yardley stood and extended his hand to Neil. “Thank you for doing so.”
Neil’s gaze swam back and forth between the naval officers. Slowly, his hand rose, and he returned Yardley’s greeting. “Aye, I did.”
“Have they caught the man?” Lachlan asked.
One quick shake of the head in denial, and Yardley gestured to chairs in front of his desk. “Have a seat, gentlemen.”
Neil pulled off his fedora and lowered himself into the chair. “What is going on?”
Another shake of Yardley’s head, and the commander sat and pulled a notepad close. “Mr. Mackenzie, I need you to tell me everything that happened last night. Everything.”
Neil unbuttoned his gray overcoat, and his eyes narrowed at Yardley.
Lachlan shifted in his chair. “Please, Neil. Everything.”
