"There wis no affair, Mr. Obrecht. Sorry tae disappoint ye."

"You never slept with Mrs. Cialino?"

"Objection." Max was on his feet. "My lord, I'd say Mr. Wallace has answered the question, yes?"

"Overruled. The defendant will answer the question."

Angus averted his eyes, mulling over his reply. "Aye, once, but it wis quite a while ago."

"Had the two of you ever discussed problems in her marriage at these bed and breakfast rendezvous?"

"We discussed many things ower breakfast, Mr. Obrecht."

"Including her husband's murder?"

"Objection!"

"Sustained."

The courtroom held its collective breath while Mitchell Obrecht gazed at the jury, confirming his message had been delivered. "No further questions for this witness, my lord."

Court adjourned for the day, releasing dozens of reporters to file their stories in time to hit the evening news. Feeling bad about my testimony, I waited around, hoping to speak with my father.

* * *

When the crowds had thinned, I signed in at the security check point, then limped down the stone stairwell into the bowels of Inverness Castle, pausing at the bottom step when I heard a woman's voice.

Quietly, I peeked around the corner.

It was Theresa Cialino, and she was speaking to Angus, her tone quite anxious.

"They won't make me testify, will they?"

"Theresa, calm doon."

"I don't want to testify, Angus. What if he asks me directly?"

"Darlin', relax. Obrecht disnae ken enough tae ask."

"He knew enough to ask about the salmon. And he found the cheque."

"A' o' which is circumstantial, though I telt ye no' tae pay me after whit happened."

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry… you know I was a lunatic that week. I had to run the company, I just started paying stacks of bills… I never knew what you'd told the police."

"Shh, calm doon. In the end, none o' it'll matter anyway."

"Angus… maybe we should just come forward, I mean, it's not too late. Maxie could recall Calum. He could question him about everything that happened last winter. His testimony alone might—"

"No, no, an' no! Bad enough I wis kicked oot o' the Order. Damn if be subjectin' my best friend tae Alban MacDonald's fury. No, Theresa, we stick tae the plan, that's the best bet. You watch, Zachary'll soon find the monster, then a' this'll be behind us."

"I wouldn't get your hopes up. Your son's no closer to locating the creature than he was when he first arrived. And despite your prodding, he still hasn't approached me about borrowing our boat."

"He will."

"What if he doesn't? Face it, Angus, your son's still afraid."

"No he isnae! Zachary's got Wallace blood runnin' through him, an' he'll come through, jist as I predicted. Where's yer trawler?"

"Docked in Fort Augustus."

"Contact the captain. Have him bring her up tae the Clansman's Wharf. Be easier tae get Zack tae board her an'—"