Suzie and Niall exchanged a knowing glance, their heads nodding in agreement.
“What was he wearing?”Suzie asked.
Scott glanced back at them from the passenger seat.His forehead creased.“Ah…dark clothes.Black sweater and trousers.I didn’t see what color shoes he wore.Shortly after, the kids arrived and requested directions to the village.They were upset because they’d become lost and were late meeting their parents.”
“The guy we heard with Euan and Colin wore black trousers.Did he have time to enter the building while you were talking to the kids?
“Hell,” Scott said, his green eyes wide.“I’m sorry.The kids were so upset.I thought it was strange when they stopped crying so suddenly, but I decided it was relief at finding help.Yeah, he could’ve entered via the rear.”
“I didn’t see him leave through the front,” Liam started, then rubbed a hand over his face, his expression turning to one of disgust.“An elderly lady drove past and stopped near me.She wound down her window and was crying.She told me she didn’t drive often, and she’d taken a wrong turn.Her reaction was so plausible, even if she wasn’t that lost.She simply had to turn around and return the same way.This guy used her as a distraction and left without me seeing.”
“He was so careful to hide his face,” Niall said.
“It has to be someone you know,” Suzie said, studying Niall.With his battered face and rumpled appearance, he seemed older.The rougher edge suited him, but she wouldn’t admit it.“I can’t wait to jump into the shower.I feel as if I haven’t been clean for days.”
“What’s our next step?”Scott asked.
Warmth filled Suzie, but she’d known her friends would want to help.They could see she was gone over Niall, even if he was standoffish today.
“You shouldn’t get involved in this.You’re heading home next week.Enjoy the last of the gathering before you leave,” Niall said.
“We’re Suzie’s friends.You’re her mate, which makes you our friend.We are offering our help.You need people around you who you can trust,” Liam said with unfaltering logic.
“Besides, given this mystery man doesn’t want his identity revealed, he’s someone in your circle of acquaintances.More than ever, you need to surround yourself with friendly faces,” Scott said, nailing Niall with a determined gaze.“You’re stuck with us, buddy.”
Niall’s expression went slack for an instant, and Suzie would bet no one had offered him such unstinted aid before.Her heart hurt when she imagined the little boy he’d been.Frightened.Alone.Bullied by the people who should’ve acted as his support net.His transformation into a talented and driven person was truly wondrous.Her miracle man.
“Let Scott and Liam help.You can’t trust everyone on your staff.”Suzie paused, thinking.“Apart from Angus.He’s loyal to you.”
“What about business associates?”Scott asked.“That makes more sense, given they wanted your honey.You still need to write that list of your competitors and business associates.”
Niall nodded.“Thank you for your offer of help.I hate to think someone close to me might be capable of this.No.I don’t believe it.”
Suzie opened her mouth to speak, but Liam beat her to it.
“Your honey is a big deal, and someone is actively trying to sabotage you.It’s obvious they want your honey—probably to duplicate your efforts.You need to get past your loyalty to your staff and workers.If they’re blameless, it means one of them has blabbed to a competitor, and that competitor wants to get his hands on your share of the honey market,” Liam said.
“Or someone who helped to test your honey has spoken to someone they shouldn’t have,” Suzie said.
“It was a risk circulating the honey to testers, but I had to learn how good it was,” Niall said.“I discovered it by accident, and I’m the only one who knows the hives’ location and what the bees are feeding on to produce their honey.It was pure chance I noticed its unusual properties.”
“Niall,” Suzie said, “when someone broke into your premises, they didn’t get the special honey.I thought you said that only you and your trusted assistant worked there plus Harris.Few knew this was your research and development hub.None of those who help to test your honey would know, which makes their involvement less likely.Where is your honey now?”
“Locked in the room next to mine at the castle,” Niall said with satisfaction.“Only Angus knows it’s there.”
“Does Angus possess a room key?”Scott asked.
“I’d trust Angus with my life.He was my mentor’s steward, and I’ve known him since I arrived in Scotland,” Niall said stridently.“He’s more of an advisor and a father figure than anything else.”
“Does Angus resent you owning the castle?”Liam asked.“I assume your mentor left the property to you, or you purchased it from him.”
“Angus and I own the castle jointly, although Angus hates to publicize that fact.My mentor left him lots of cash, and Angus owns a stake in my business.It wouldn’t make sense for him to steal my honey or any proprietary information,” Niall said.“Same goes for Harris.I’ve known him since my arrival, and Cameron left him a house by the coast.He also owns a small share of the honey business.Angus and Harris both pushed me to grow the business after Cameron died.”
Suzie’s brows rose on hearing this.“Why does Angus work as your steward if he doesn’t need the money?”
“He likes to keep busy.It was his idea to have the gathering at the castle.He enjoys having younger people around the place,” Niall said.
“All right,” Scott said.“If Angus and Harris are clear, that leaves your assistant.Has your private investigator checked his background?The guy today kept out of sight.”
