“But then you’ll have a choice to make. You do have a little time. Rodland is going to call MacDuff to have him send someone else to pick you up. Oops, but MacDuff is also angry with anyone who helped damage his castle. You seem to be in an uncomfortable position and nowhere to go.” He turned away. “It might help if you could tell me in what direction Jane took off after she did her fine work on your rib cage.”

“I don’t remember.” Nojer was breathing hard. “Don’t leave me here alone.”

“Which direction?”

He was silent. “North,” he said grudgingly.

“Good.” Caleb pulled the gag back up over Nojer’s mouth. “You’ll have company soon. I just don’t want any of Bohdan’s men to drop in and take you away from MacDuff. You may prove to be a valuable commodity.”

Rodland started to dial MacDuff as he followed Caleb out of the cave. They’d reached their Range Rover by the time he finished talking. “Nojer could have been lying about the direction Jane took off in.”

“He could have been, but I don’t believe he was.” Caleb got into the driver’s seat. “I have a hunch.”

“And you’re used to intimidating people,” Rodland said. “Some hunch.”

Caleb’s brow rose. “You don’t think we should go north?”

“I didn’t say that. I believe we should go north.”

“Why?”

“Not because I have a hunch. North is the Highlands and it’s rough, wild country and Jane mentioned that she’s familiar with it. She’d believe she’d be harder to track.”

“But I’m also familiar with it.”

“She knows that in the end that wouldn’t be a factor. You’re the Hunter.” He paused. “And there’s another reason she might want to go to the Highlands.”

Caleb looked at him inquiringly.

“Which I won’t divulge. After all, I can’t let you have all the cards.” He smiled mischievously. “If you’re lucky I might tell you when we get up there to Rob Roy country.”

“Or I might squeeze it out of you if I get too impatient.”

“That might also happen. But it might keep the trip interesting.” He leaned back on the headrest and closed his eyes. “I’m beginning to get a headache. Don’t wake me unless you have an emergency. I promised you I’d get stronger, and I need my rest.”

*  *  *

It was sunset by the time Jane reached the foothills overlooking the twisting brook that wound down through the valley leading to the purple-shaded mountains.

Beautiful…