I roll my eyes at their bickering and move to stand beside Gretchen, placing my hand at the small of her back.
Rab waves toward the massive entrance."Let's get inside, Kirk.I've secured the perimeter, but I'd rather not stand out in the open longer than necessary."
I keep my hand at the small of Gretchen's back as we follow Rab through the imposing gates.The stone archway looms above us, and I notice that Gretchen shivers faintly.
"Are ye cold,gràidh?"I whisper to her.
"No, no, I'm fine."She straightens her posture, and her eyes widen as she examines the ancient stonework and the flickering torches mounted on the walls.That's a modern touch for the tourists, no doubt, but effective in creating the proper medieval atmosphere.
"This is the ground floor," Kirk informs me."The first floor is upstairs, and the Great Hall lies on what an American like you would call the second floor."
"Will I get to see the Great Hall?"
"Not today.We have serious matters to discuss with Rab."
I lead our contingent through the ground-floor hall, then through the dining room and out the other side into the guest wing.Rab swings the sitting-room door open, gesturing for everyone to go inside.Once we're all seated, the discussion begins.
"I've cleared all non-essential staff," Rab explains, voice low."Only my security team remains---handpicked lads I trust with my life."
Gretchen and I sit on a small couch, and I slide an arm around the lass."Do ye have any sort of plan for how to handle Dougal and his men?We need to rescue Kenny."
Rab's expression grows fierce."Dougal MacWraith is a dangerous man.I've been tracking his movements since you called.His operation has tentacles throughout the Highlands---smuggling, extortion, you name it."
"That's fascinating information," Gretchen says."But I don't really give a damn about that right now.Tell us how we're going to save that poor boy and not get murdered in the process.Besides, we already know about most of that stuff."
"Aye, you're right," Rab agrees."We need to hash out a plan."
Rab leads us all downstairs and through the ground floor, hurrying into the dining room and through the doorway that leads us into the guest wing.We make our way into the sitting room and each choose where we want to sit.I keep Gretchen beside me on a small couch.Rab takes a larger chair that seems almost like a medieval throne, though I know it's no such thing.The chair is an antique---from the nineteen thirties.
My patience has run out, and I cannae wait one second longer."All, right Rab tell me the bloody fucking plan for saving Kenny.And dinnae tell me we need take our time and do it right.I might punch you in the jaw if ye say that."
Rab crosses his arms over his chest, his expression grim."The plan, Kirk, is already in motion."
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Gretchen
I have no idea how I can contribute much to this conversation.But I can't sit here twiddling my thumbs.Maybe I lack military skills or a talent for doing dangerous stunts, but I do have a brain.And it's time I put it to good use by interrogating the men before they have a chance to speak."You know, in my experience women are usually better at strategizing than men when it comes uncertain situations.You guys should let me help you with the Dougal problem.Can't hurt, right?"
Kirk turns to his favorite one-lifted-brow strategy that seems to work on other people, male and female.But not with me.He knows that but goes for the checkmate anyway."Gretchen, lass, this is a discussion for men."
"You didn't seriously go there, did you?"I pucker my lips and squint at Kirk, giving him my best look of sarcastic disgust."My job as a virtual assistant has given me loads of insight on various fields---everything from search engine optimization to cybersecurity and even body language analysis.I know I'm not a trained operative, but I might have ideas you guys haven't considered."
Kirk adopts a more casual pose with one ankle braced the opposite thigh."Go on, then.You are a very clever lass, and maybe you could be helpful."
"Thank you, sweetie."I sit up straighter, folding my hands on my lap."My job has given me the opportunity to learn so many new things---like time management, communications, organization, creativity, batching, basic accounting, email management, adaptability, self-motivation, concentration, basic IT skills, attention to details, bookkeeping.I also once organized an anti-vegan rally for a client."
Rab studies me with something resembling respect tinged with confusion.Yeah, that's the classic alpha-male response to having no frigging idea what I'm talking about.
After a couple minutes, Rab nods appreciatively."The lass has a good point.Fresh eyes often see what those of us too close to the situation miss.Might as well give her a chance."
Kirk opens his mouth as if he's about to protest.But then snaps his jaw shut.He knifes a hand through his hair and sighs."Have it your way.What are your thoughts, Gretchen?"
I straighten my spine, abruptly aware of all those eyes trained on me.No pressure or anything."Well, first, what do we know about Dougal's operation?Where the hub of his empire is.Where he lives.I wonder if a full-castle assault is really the best choice, or if something subtler might work best."
Rab leans forward, his hands clasped together, elbows resting on his knees.The intensity in his gaze reminds me of Kirk, but with more calculation behind it."Dougal's main operation is based at Cairntorran Manor.It's an old estate about twenty-five miles from here, hidden among dense woodland.He uses it as his headquarters, but he's got smaller outposts throughout the Highlands."
I absorb the information but have no time to fully assimilate it for now."And Kenny?Do we know for sure where they're keeping him?"
