Moving Sammy’s bike to the side of the track, they climbed into the 4x4 cab. Elise slipped her anorak on over the top of her leather jacket in case she needed a quick disguise, then put the 4x4 in gear. She glanced at the petrol tank. Half full. It would last a good bit, hopefully long enough to evade Gilmont.

If Anders Gilmont was on his way to the castle, he would likely enter through the main gate. She doubted he had breached one of the other entrances. If she took the dirt tracks through the moors, eventually she would gain the A7. It was rough going and would burn considerable petrol, but she didn’t have many options.

“What kind of an adventure are we going on?” Sammy asked. His gray eyes, so like Harry’s, were alight with interest.

“Have you ever played hide-and-seek?”

“Thierry and I play it all the time. She’s a really good hider.”

“So am I. It must be a girl thing. Our game might involve a spot of wild camping. Are you up for it?”

“Cracking!” Sammy buckled up.

Elise pressed the accelerator to the floor, her eye on the encroaching dark clouds. Just what she needed—more rain.

Her top priority was to get Sammy to safety and secrete herself until backup arrived. To do that, she needed to contact Harry and apprise him of their predicament. Unfortunately, she had left her personal sat phone back at the castle, and mobile reception out here was spotty at best. Elise had no idea what Gilmont had planned, but if taking her out was a priority, she doubted he’d quit unless she forced him.

A network of men and women with high-tech skills and far-reaching connections made up much of Gilmont’s circle. Had one of them locked on to her location via her mobile? If they had, Gilmont would track her communications.

Her hands tightened on the wheel. She had to risk one last call. If Gilmont had included others in this hunt, she needed Harry’s assistance.

Her eyes rested on the hills ahead. Occasionally, when she gained that ridge, she had reception. The approaching storm might mess with her signal, but if she reached the hills before the storm broke, she could place that call.

Elise slammed her foot on the accelerator and gunned the engine. The old 4x4 bounced and bucked as she raced down the dirt track, dodging the worst of the potholes but still jarring her hips. Sammy had gone quiet beside her, perhaps sensing her worries.

She gave him a cheerful smile as she considered their present situation.

“Why don’t you watch for . . .” Her voiced trailed for a moment before inspiration struck when a hind bounded up the slope ahead. “Deer. See if you can spot our monarch of the glen. His rack is enormous.”