He grimaced, sensing the direction of my thoughts. ‘Almost any Clan.’

‘Meaning what exactly?’

‘Every generation, a different Clan is responsible for planning the Games. We take turns because it wouldn’t be fair for the organisers to participate as well. It’s important that the challenges are kept secret to make the playing field as even as possible.’

I felt a strange fire light up in the pit of my belly. Ohhhhhh, yes. ‘And the Clan organising these Games?’ I asked. ‘It’s obviously not the Moncrieffes because you lot are running around trying to get yourself killed before they start.’

‘The Carnegies,’ Byron said, confirming my suspicion. ‘It’s their turn. Apparently they’re going all out to create a spectacle. Even though they can’t participate, the organisers compete to make the Games they hold better and more exciting than everyone else’s. There’s a lot of kudos involved in getting them right.’

Luckily I had some experience in maintaining a poker face. I sent a quick prayer of gratitude towards Taylor for all his training. ‘I see.’ I shrugged. ‘How interesting. Well, as you and Jamie are both here, I think Dr Speck will be happy to release Maggie and Rory into your care. Providing they stay away from any mountains, of course.’

‘Thank you, Dr Speck,’ Byron said drily.

Speck coughed. ‘Not a problem.’

I turned, ready to go.

‘Wait, you were going to tell me something,’ Byron said. ‘It sounded important.’

There was no way I was going to blab about Debbie now. I might not have heard about the Games before now but I was already on the inside track and I wasn’t going to lose that advantage.

‘Um,’ I demurred, before alighting on something which would explain what I’d said. ‘There were strange tracks on Coire an t’Sneachda.’

Byron looked confused ‒ I was probably still pronouncing it wrongly. ‘The mountain we rescued Maggie and Rory from.’ I described the three-legged paw prints.

‘What size were they?’ Byron asked.

I made a shape with my fingers to indicate their girth.

‘Something small, then.’ I nodded. Byron patted me on the arm. ‘I wouldn’t worry about it. That high up, it was probably just a bird.’ He grinned at me. ‘Well, it was … entertaining to see you, Integrity. No doubt our paths will cross again soon.’ He leaned towards me and I caught a hint of his natural musky smell. ‘The Games start in a fortnight. If participants aren’t at the Cruaich and registered to enter by the fourteenth, they have to wait a generation for their next shot.’

‘I do so hate killing time,’ I quipped.

Byron’s eyes danced. ‘You should get a watch-dog.’

Speck groaned. ‘You’re as bad as each other.’

‘Come on, doctor,’ I said to him, turning on my heel. ‘Let’s leave the Moncrieffes to their family reunion. Byron and Jam Jam clearly don’t need us. And,’ I added in a muttered breath, ‘we’ve got things to do.’

Chapter Three

My old mentor Taylor scratched his chin while the five of us sat around my small kitchen table and pondered Byron’s news. ‘I’ve heard of the Games,’ he said slowly. ‘They’re a really big deal.’