I grab some plain crackers and make my way toward the register, where Kirk is already standing there.He's positioned his body so that he can see both the door and the parking lot through the store's grimy windows.
He lifts his brows when I come up beside him."Anything else you need, lass?Perhaps a paper sack in case ye vomit?"
"No need.This should do it."I place my items on the counter beside what appears to be Kirk's selections---water, beef jerky, and an energy drink that could probably fuel a small rocket.The clerk barely looks up from his phone, ringing up our purchases with the enthusiasm of a sloth on sedatives.
"That'll be fourteen pounds fifty," he drones, still scrolling.
Kirk pays with cash---no credit card trail, I notice---and we're back outside in less than five minutes.True to his word, we're in and out with minimal interaction.I must admit, his efficiency is impressive, even if his paranoia seems a bit much.
"Better now?"Kirk asks as we climb back into the SUV.
"Oh yes, much better."I twist the cap off my water bottle."Thanks for stopping."
He shrugs, then turns the key in the ignition."It was no bother, lass."
The engine purrs to life, but thankfully, he keeps to a reasonable speed as we pull back onto the main road.I take small sips of my ginger ale, feeling the sweet carbonation bubble down my throat.
"We'll be at Dùndubhan in about half an hour," Kirk says, his eyes flicking to the rearview mirror every few seconds."The road gets a bit winding as we climb into the hills, but I'll keep it smooth for you."
"Thank you so much for accommodating my, um, problem."I plant a firm kiss on his cheek, then lean my head back against the seat.The adrenaline from our earlier escape is starting to wear off, leaving me feeling oddly drained."So, are you going to tell me what's waiting for us at this castle?"
Kirk tightens his hands on the wheel."Safety, for one.It's remote and defensible.Plus, I've got contacts there who might be able to make sense of what we found."
"By 'contacts,' he means his cousin Rab Grieve," Archie explains, taking another sip of ginger ale.
"You Scots and your family connections."I'm getting a headache just trying to recall everyone's names."It's like a medieval clan system with smartphones."
Kirk chuckles."You're not far off, lass.Rab's been running security at Dùndubhan for the better part of a decade.If anyone can help us figure out why Dougal's men were after you, it's him."
I raise and eyebrow."And why exactly would your cousin be an expert on mysterious men with guns?"
Kirk keeps his eyes on the road, but a small smile plays at the corners of his mouth."Let's just say Rab's previous employment gave him a unique skill set that doesn't involve stunts or whisky."
"Military?"I guess, watching his profile.
"Something like that."His vague answer doesn't satisfy my curiosity.I can tell there's more to this Rab character than Kirk is letting on.
Archie pipes up from the backseat."Rab's a good man.Ex-special forces.The kind of bloke who can kill you with his pinky finger but would rather share a dram and a laugh."
"Archie," Kirk growls with a slight whine in his voice, shooting Arche a warning glance in the rearview mirror.
"What?She's gonna meet him in half an hour anyway.Better she knows what she's walking into."Archie unwraps another piece of butterscotch."Besides, Rab's the one who taught Kirk how to drive like a madman."
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Kirk
Less than half an hour later, we turn down a gravel two-track and I give Gretchen a reassuring smile."Almost there, lass.This is the driveway of Rory's castle, Dùndubhan.Well, it's half Emery's castle too since he and his American wife both own it.They no longer live here, though.The castle is now a tourist attraction most of the time."
Archie leans forward, inserting himself between me and the lass again."Are ye sure we'll be there soon?"
I ignore the laddie since I need to focus on driving.The gravel track is bumpy at times, though not enough to make the lass feel sick again.But I reckon I should check, at any rate."Still all right, lass?Do ye need a sick bag?"
"No, I'm fine.But thank you for asking."Gretchen winces."Jeez, that was so embarrassing.I've never gotten that car sick in my life until today.It was probably just anxiety or flat-out terror.Being chased by evil bastards is not a fun time in the old town."
The trees drape over the driveway like a canopy, and Gretchen cranes her neck as if she wants to peer through the branches.The SUV bounces along, and she keeps her eyes on the scenery.The landscape is lush and green, quintessentially Scottish, with rolling hills and scattered trees.The evening light casts long shadows on the terrain, giving everything a mysterious quality.
"You mentioned this castle is now a tourist attraction, right?"the lass asks, probably trying to imagine the kind of castle that would welcome visitors."Does it have gift shops and guided tours?"
