“Stop it,” Jane said. “Thank you for inviting us, MacDuff. You know Caleb can help. Let him do it. Now let’s go back and have tea and sandwiches before you return to work.” She wearily brushed her hair back from her face. “I’m afraid I’ve had enough of seeing Bohdan’s ideas of renovation. I’m going to take a shower and then curl up and read that letter to Fiona. I may join you in the library later to help out with the recruitment.”

“Take a nap instead,” Caleb said. “You don’t need to referee.” He glanced at MacDuff. “Does she? You prefer it to be no-holds-barred?”

He nodded. “Much more stimulating.” He started back toward the castle. “Come along, Jane. It must have been upsetting for an artist like you to see all of this destruction. Now we can get on to the plans to change it to creation.”

Chapter 13

Chapter
13

After a shower and putting on her nightshirt Jane settled down propped up in bed and carefully took the Fiona document from her art case. Some of the letters were faded and almost indistinguishable but every now and then she could detect a phrase or a few words that kept her glued to the task. Finally, she had a fairly readable document.

My darling,

Everything is set. I’ve made the deal with Saldaron. He’ll get you away in exchange for me stealing that Cira treasure Graeme’s tucked away up in the foothills. Saldaron is just as big a thief as Graeme and I’d love to find a way to cheat them both, but I haven’t worked out a safe way to do it yet. You’re the important one and I have that plan in place. All you have to do is put on the trousers and jacket I sent you and then make your way to the Highland Railway Yard. Slip onto the mural car through the back entrance door and then lock yourself into Saldaron’s private compartment. Don’t answer the door if anyone knocks. When you reach the main station south of the English border, I’ll be there to meet you and whisk you out of England to Ireland. We’ll be on the ship out of Dublin heading for Boston the next day.

And if you change your mind, I’ll understand. Though why you’d leave a fine, brilliant man like myself for Graeme, I’ll never be able to figure out. Look at all I can offer you, hair-raising adventure, constant insecurity, danger. I’m obviously quite a catch. At least, that’s what you’ve told me. At any rate, if you haven’t changed your mind, I’ll thank God if I see you on that mural train, my own love.

Until then,

Farrell