“You like to fish?” Sammy’s eyes bulged.

“When they’re biting.”

“But you’re a girl. How come you like fun things?”

Elise bit back a laugh. “I wasn’t much good at playing with dolls when I was your age. I had too much energy.” Sammy’s clearly defined roles for men and women must stem from being raised by grandparents.

“Like me?”

“Very possibly.”

“Dad lets me drive his 4x4 sometimes,” Sammy confessed with a calculated expression.

“He does?” Elise turned away, biting the inside of her cheek. The child’s intentions were as transparent as glass.

“I’m very good at it.”

“I’ll just bet you are. You wouldn’t by any chance be hinting for me to let you have a go at my father’s 4x4, are you?”

“Nooooo.”

She lifted a brow.

“Maybe just a little,” Sammy said, his large gray eyes filled with eagerness.

“Let me think on that a wee bit.” Her mobile rang, and she checked the screen. Why was Nigel calling?

“Taylor,” she answered.

“Agent Taylor, Anders Gilmont landed at the Edinburgh airport two hours ago. A former student of his was found murdered in Dean Village. You need to take cover.”

Gilmont. A chill coursed through her body at the mention of his name. “Why?” she asked cautiously.

“Your picture made the London Mirror’s society pages over the weekend. We believe you are his target.” That photographer had ignored her father’s wishes. She inhaled deeply and glanced at Sammy, hoping he hadn’t overheard Nigel’s side of the conversation. “Take cover, and alert your family. I left a message for Agent Benson that you are in danger. He’s closest.”

“ETA?”

“None. Get out of there—now.”

“What about the castle staff?”

“They and your family need to be notified.”

Thank goodness her family had flown to Mallorca that morning. But the staff was still there. “Is there time for me to return to the castle before I leave?”

“Agent Taylor, if you are not at home, do not return. We are monitoring the roadways through CCTV cameras. We photographed Gilmont over twenty minutes ago in Melrose, driving a blue Corsa, number plate R352 RTB.”

“Got it.” Melrose was minutes away.

“For all we know, he’s already reached the castle.”

Elise focused on the dirt track by the lone oak, her mind swirling. “I’ll alert the staff.”

“Do it while you drive.”

Elise glanced at Sammy. “Agent Benson’s son is with me.”

“Find a place to drop the child and hunker down,” Nigel commanded, his voice clipped.

“All right.”

“And Taylor?”

“Yes?”

“Be careful.”

Chapter 25

Gilmont fingered the tip of his blade as he crept down the castle corridor. Guns were too impersonal and much too loud for what he intended for Agent Taylor. He had memorized the castle’s general layout, and every so often, he paused to peek inside the public rooms, with their soaring ceilings and gilded plasterwork.