Half an hour later, I'm welcomed into the home of the private eye couple, though Magnus isn't here yet.He's busy wrangling baddies with Kirk and the others.Piper is a lovely woman with soft brown eyes and chestnut hair.She welcomes me into her home while holding a toddler in her arms.I can't resist smiling at the kid, a girl who giggles when she sees me.
"Let's go into the living room," Piper suggests."Then little Robbie can scoot around on the floor."
"I thought your baby was a girl, based on the giggling and the pink clothing."
Piper laughs."That's understandable.Her name is Roberta, but we call her Robby."
Well, at least that makes sense now.
I wind up spending the night at Piper's house because it took our entire strike team to get all the baddies rounded up and bedded down in their cells.Kirk called me once it was all over to let me know everything's okay.But he was exhausted and decided to crash at his flat since it's closer than Piper's house.I agreed Kirk should do that.Operation Tartan Glory was amazing but also exhausting.
The next day, I wake up to the smell of coffee and the sound of hushed voices.It takes me a moment to remember where I am---Piper and Magnus's house.As I stretch and roll out of the guest bed, my muscles begin to ache from yesterday's excitement.When I pad into the kitchen, Piper is bouncing little Robby on her hip while Magnus leans against the counter wearing a serious expression.
"Morning," I say brightly, and they both turn toward me.
"There she is," Magnus announces.He's tall and imposing, with the kind of presence that fills a room."You're the American who helped save Kenny MacDonald."
"I didn't do much," I admit."Kirk took care of all the most heroic stuff."
"Aye, Balfour's good at that," Magnus agrees, sharing a knowing look with his wife.
"Coffee's ready if you want some," Piper says, gesturing toward the pot on the counter.
"Thanks, I'd love some."I gratefully accept a mug from her, relishing the aroma of good coffee."Any word from Kirk this morning?"
"Aye," Magnus says."Balfour called about twenty minutes ago.Said he'd be here after he checks on Kenny at the hospital."
"Hospital?"My stomach drops."I thought Kenny was okay."
"It's only a precaution," Piper assures me, shifting Robby to her other hip."Standard procedure after a hostage situation.They'll run some tests to make sure he's not dehydrated or suffering from any injuries the team might have missed in the dark.We don't know for sure if they tortured him or anything like that, though it seems unlikely."
I sip my coffee, trying to calm my racing thoughts."What happens now?With Dougal, I mean."
Magnus narrows his gaze and flattens his lips."That's where things get complicated.They have him in custody, but he's not talking.Except to demand an advocate---essentially, a lawyer.And he found a bloody good one."
As I wrap my fingers around the warm mug, I try to absorb this new information."Is there any chance he could get out of jail?"
"It's doubtful, what with the evidence we've gathered."Something in Magnus's tone makes me uneasy."But Dougal MacWraith isn't the type to give up easily.He has connections, even from behind bars."
Piper throws her husband a warning look."Let's not worry Gretchen with all of that right now.The important thing is that Kenny's safe and Dougal's locked up."
Before I can press for more details, my phone buzzes.It's Kirk.I nearly drop my phone in my haste to pick up the call."Hey, how are you feeling this morning?"
"Oh fine, lass," Kirk tells me, but he sounds exhausted."Ahm checking in on ye before I head to the hospital to see Kenny."
"I was worried about him---about both of you."I turn away from Magnus and Piper to have a semblance of privacy."How bad is it?"
"The doctors told us he's dehydrated and has some minor bruising, but the lad's spirit is unbroken."Kirk chuckles."He's already flirting with the nurses and demanding real food instead of hospital slop."
I laugh too."That sounds like he's recovering just fine."
"Aye.How are ye holding up at the MacTaggarts' place?"
"They've been great.Though I think Magnus was about to give me some kind of ominous warning about Dougal that Piper shut down."
"Aye, that sounds like them.Magnus is a cautious man, so he probably wanted to prepare ye for all the possibilities."Kirk lowers his voice to a whisper."Listen, Gretchen.I'll be there in about two hours.After I look in on Kenny, I'm coming straight to ye."
"I can't wait to see you, honey."
