Page 39 of Savage Obsession

The two men are casually dressed, both wearing jeans and waterproof waxed jackets to protect them against the biting wind. I wish I’d brought something similar with me.

“Here. Wear this.” Baz passes me his padded jacket. “It’s fucking cold out there.”

I accept gratefully, and he helps me to hop down onto the cobbles. Immediately we leave the cocoon of the aircraft cockpit, the wind hits me. I stagger under the force of it, my hair whipping around my head. Baz’s arm around my waist helps to steady me.

“Welcome to Caraksay, Mr Bartosz.” The taller of the two men extends his hand in greeting. “You’ll remember my brother, Aaron?”

They speak in English, but my basic understanding is equal to the task of following the conversation so far

Baz accepts the handshake. “I do, of course. And this is my wife. Julia.”

Dark, intelligent assess me. His handsome mouth curves in a smile, and he extends his hand in my direction. “I hadn’t realised you were married, Mr Bartosz, until my sister called me to say you were on your way. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Julia.”

I manage a smile through my chattering teeth. “Thank you, Mr Savage.”

“Ethan, please. Let me show you to your apartment before we all freeze to death out here.”

That sounds like an excellent plan to me. I turn back to the helicopter to grab Henry in my arms. He’s not a fan of inclement weather and has been happy to hang back in the shelter of the cockpit.

“What’s that?” Mr Savage demands, eying my mongrel terrier with suspicion.

“This is Henry,” I explain.

Mr Savage lets out a grunt. “Keep him away from the wildlife,” he snaps. “I don’t want to have to shoot him for molesting the seals or seabirds.”

“He’s very well-mannered,” Baz assures our host. “I doubt he’s any threat to the puffins.”

From his expression of distaste, I’m reasonably certain Ethan Savage doesn’t believe that for a moment. I resolve to keep Henry on his leash, his life may depend on it.

Aaron Savage hoists both our bags, and Ethan leads us back to the castle.

“My housekeeper got a guest apartment ready for you,” he calls over his shoulder. “I hope you’ll be comfortable while you’re here. Do you know how long you’ll be staying?”

“Just a day or two, probably. While we work with Mrs O’Neill to access those CCTV tapes,” Baz replies. “Has she arrived yet?”

“A few hours ago. She’s in her office but she said she’d see you tomorrow. You must be tired after your journey.”

Baz quickly translates for me, then offers an apologetic explanation to Ethan. “My wife’s English isn’t that good.”

He nods as we all troop through the front portal of his stronghold. “You’re Polish? Is that right?”

I understand the question and reply. “Yes. From Warsaw.”

“My wife is Moldovan but speaks fluent Polish. Magda, too, as you’ll already know. And my eldest son. We also have a two Belarusian teenagers living here who I think speak the language, so you’ll not be short of translators if you need them.”

“I see.” I hadn’t expected such an international population. “Belarusian teenagers?”

“It’s a long story. They’re orphans. Their older sister is married to one of my men, and it made sense for them to settle here. This is the great hall,” he explains, gesturing to the vast, echoing space in which we find ourselves. “Traditional period furniture.” He indicates the huge oak table flanked by a dozen or so carver chairs. “We eat in here sometimes, and the kids use it as a play area when the weather outside is too wild.”

Baz did mention the basketball hoops, but I also spot a small set of goalposts and a little kid’s trike tucked away beside the enormous open fireplace.

Ethan has already crossed the hall and is mounting the wide staircase at the far end. “The offices are on the first floor, and most of the apartments are on the second and third. Are you okay with stairs? There’s a lift if you need it.”

Again, Baz has to translate for me. We’re both fine with the stairs.

“Which is Mrs O’Neill’s office?” Baz enquires when we reach the first floor.

Ethan gestures to his right. “Along there, second on the left.”

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