"Almost there," I whisper to Kenny as we reach the tree line."Just another hundred meters to the vehicle."
That's when I hear it.The unmistakable sound of an alarm blaring from the manor.
Shite.They've discovered Kenny's empty room faster than expected.
"Run!"I hiss, abandoning stealth for speed.
Kenny races away, already ahead of me.As we sprint through the trees, branches whip our faces, and floodlights suddenly illuminate the grounds behind us.Dogs bark in the distance---another complication the intel didn't mention.Mhac na galla.
"They've got dogs," I shout to Logan through my comm."They're tracking us with them!"
"Copy that," Logan's voice crackles back."Extraction vehicle is moving to secondary location.Head to the bridge."
Kenny and I switch direction, veering toward the narrow stone bridge that spans the ravine at the property's edge.My lungs burn as we push harder through the underbrush, the sounds of pursuit growing louder behind us.But soon we begin to hear a familiar sound.
The thwapping of helicopter blades.
Within moments, the noise becomes so loud that I cannae speak to Kenny.So, I gesture for him to stop running.As we swing our gazes upward, I spot the lights coming closer, the noise growing louder.And now, the whirlwind created by the chopper is hovering directly above us.
A lad leans halfway out the chopper and yells through a megaphone, "Loch Fairbairn Police!Did ye ring for a ride, stunt man?"
Bod an Donais.I've never been more relieved to see anyone."Aye, we'd love a lift!"
The helicopter finally sets down on the grass, and the pilot shuts off its engines.Kenny and I sprint toward it with the shouts of our pursuers growing louder behind us.As we reach the chopper, I push Kenny in inside.
"Go, go, go!"I shout as I slam the door shut, leaving Kenny alone inside the craft.
Well, alone except for the pilots.
My team knows what to do and I can see police cars roaring up the drive just in time.Aye, it's over.Now we need only round up the villains.
Chapter Forty-Four
Gretchen
I race through the woods, abandoning my post and any semblance of propriety as I search for Kirk wherever he might be.The helicopter has left with Kenny, leaving the rest of us to deal with Dougal and his minions.When I reach the gravel road, veering onto it, I nearly crash into a police car that's hightailing it to Cairntorran Manor.Another car is rushing up behind the first.My comm fell out of my ear somewhere along the way, so I have no idea what my teammates are doing right now.
As I break out of the woods, I glimpse a familiar figure."Kirk!Kirk!"
He whirls around at the sound of my voice, and relief floods through me in a tidal wave.My knees nearly buckle, but I succeed in staying on my feet.The police cars have their headlights on high beam.It takes me a minute to recognize what's going on here.
Kirk drags me into his arms."Gretchen, lass, ye shouldnae be here.Dougal and the rest of his men must be somewhere inside the manor.We've all been helping the police round up and cuff the ones we've found."
"Are you okay?Is Kenny safe?"
Kirk broad shoulders finally relax a smidgen."Aye, the lad's away in the chopper, he'll be secure."He pulls me close."But it'll take time to subdue Dougal and his men.They're none too happy about losing their hostage."
"At least Kenny's okay and in good hands.Can I help you guys at all?"
While Kirk starts to grumble, Keltie jogs up to us."Are ye ready to go, Gretchen?Balfour insisted I should take you to Magnus and Piper's house for the time being.You'll have a fellow American to talk to, since Piper was born in that country as well."
I return my attention to Kirk."I'd rather stay with you."
"Please, lass, do what Keltie suggested."He gives me a firm hug and kisses my forehead."I need to know you're safe, and I can think of no better place than the home of two private investigators, one of whom is former military.Your parents will meet you at Magnus and Piper's home."
Since I know he's probably right about where I should go, I hug him and let Keltie shepherd me to one of the police cars.A very nice cop takes me to the home of Magnus and Piper MacTaggart.
Well, at least I'll get to meet a fellow American.
