"Aye. Ye used tae wake up, screamin' bloody murder. Thank Jesus yer mother finally took ye tae America, it wis a' I could dae tae get a guid night's rest. When that creature bit ye—"

"Nothing bit me! These aren't teeth marks, Angus, they're puncture wounds, scars from the barbed wire. I must've swam right through its coils as I surfaced."

He shook his head sadly. "As a bairn ye could hide frae the truth, it's no' sae easy as an adult. This Sargasso drownin', it's forcin' back the memories, isn't it? Dinnae deny it, lad, I can see it in yer eyes. This time roond, ye've got tae face yer demons."

"You're one to give advice."

"Frae where I'm standin', we're baith in prison, only yours is up here," he said, tapping his head.

"As you said, I'm not a child any more, so keep playing your mind games, I'm immune. As for your doubts about the barbed wire, try reading the damn medical report. The doctor who stitched me up—"

"Doctor?" Angus bellowed a laugh. "Ye call Ryan Hornsby a doctor? Hornsby's a vet'rinarian, he worked on farm animals. Highlanders like us used him 'cause we couldnae afford tae pay real doctors."

"He was still a medical professional."

"Open yer eyes, laddie. The only reason Alban MacDonald brought ye tae Hornsby was 'cause he's kin, an', o' course, he's Templar, which means he'd take the truth tae the grave wi' him… or a'ready did, seein' as he croaked last year."

"Save your breath, Angus. I'm not buying into it."

"What still gets me is how ye managed tae escape. I mean, sweet Jesus, look at them scars, it's like the De'il tasted ye an' spat ye back oot."

"I saw the medical report, Angus. It said barbed wire."

"Aye. Hornsby wrote whit he was telt."

"Enough already! Even if he was a veterinarian, why would Hornsby listen to a water bailiff and risk losing his license?"

"Because, Judy, Alban MacDonald wisnae jist a water bailiff, he's also Priest Knight o' the Templar."

"I don't understand?"

"Ye've never heard o' the Knights Templar?"

"I've heard of them, sure, but what do they have to do with Loch Ness?"