Page 43 of Brix

“We want her alive if possible,” said Brix.

“We’ll give you leeway on this,” said the man. “Away you go.” He nodded down the long drive, and the men carefully made their way until seeing the lone house on the beach.

“Eyes up,” said Brix. “Everyone goes home.”

Deirdre woke with a raging headache from the whiskey she’d indulged in last night. It was supposed to be one complimentary drink, but after the first burning taste, she decided she needed another, and another, and another.

After a hot shower, she used the electric trimmer to shave her hair close to her head. She actually liked the look of the new sleek style. She pulled on the new trousers and a sweater, then made some toast and tea.

It wasn’t even six a.m. She’d slept well but woke early for some reason. She thought about not leaving the cash for the rental property but didn’t need the local law after her as well as the others.

With her breakfast consumed, she caught the rays of sunlight peeking over the water. Scotland had breathtaking views, and this was no exception. Today, she needed to put some miles beneath her feet and get to the north. If her research was correct, she should be able to reach Aberdeen and catch the ferry to Orkney Isle, where she might be able to pay a fisherman to take her across the North Sea to Bergen. If she were lucky, she’d be able to avoid the customs officials and find her way into Sweden.

It was a good plan. A solid plan. She just needed a little extra luck today. Taking one last look around the small home, she felt good about having wiped everything down and left through the back door.

Following the path along the beach, she made her way to Gipsey Brae Recreation Grounds, where she’d parked her car. With dozens of others there as well, hopefully, it would be lost in the mix.

Turning, she looked back at the little house one more time. In another life, at another time, she would have thought of the little home as a castle. It was perfect for just her. She might have to suffer through such accommodations again at some point, but eventually, she would be back in a manor house, or better yet, a castle, soon enough.

Pulling the collar of the sweater up around her neck, she bared the cold winds and kept moving.

“Just keep moving.”

“We breach on my call,” said Brix. Holding his hand up, he nodded at the local law enforcement. They were all well-trained and looked at the man with reverence. Slowly counting down, his last finger went down into his fist, and they rammed the door, breaking the lock with ease.

From room to room, they searched the small cottage and then met back in the little kitchen. Sebastian reached out and touched the kettle on the stove.

“It’s still warm,” he said, frowning. “She can’t be more than twenty or thirty minutes ahead of us.”

“Which way would she go?” Brix asked Hiro and AJ. AJ opened his laptop, but Hiro walked toward the small desk by the window and opened the old computer.

“Give me a second,” he said, diving into the computer. “She researched ships just like we thought. Fishing vessels, oil rig workers, anything going north.”

“Why north? She’s more noticeable that way. Why not move south toward Portugal, Morocco, or Algiers?” asked Major.

“She needs to hide,” whispered Hiro, staring at the screen. “These ships would accept payment under the table and get her to… Norway. She’s going to Norway. She’s taking a ferry from Aberdeen to Orkney Isle, then a ship to Bergen, Norway. The terrain is so dense, we’ll lose her for sure if she gets there.”

“Then we can’t let her get there,” said Brix.

“Lads, I hate to say this, but there’s nae easy way to get to Aberdeen. Two-lane highways, that’s it.”

“We need a hydrofoil,” said Tiger. The men all stared at him. “We need a speedboat to get to Aberdeen before her.”

The Scottish officer stared at him as if he were crazy, then laughed, nodding his head.

“I heard ‘ya bastards were crazy. Aye. I’ve got a speedboat for you. Pin down yer kilt, lads. We’re about to get wet.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Deirdre stayed under the speed limit, casually driving toward Aberdeen. She’d been to Scotland many times over the years but never took the opportunity to truly explore her beauty. Today, she was feeling confident and sure of herself. She took in the rivers, mountains, and lakes. The dozens of castles, some in ruined states, others fully restored and operational.

“This could be the ideal place for me to start a new life. Later,” she smirked. With her new hairstyle and some outlandish makeup she’d purchased, she looked more like a seventies punk rocker than a runaway socialite from London.

She drove to the local McDonald’s, picking up a quick bite to eat, never even lifting her head. In fairness, the teenager at the window never bothered to look at her. He was too busy flirting with the girl bagging the French fries.

Aberdeen is Scotland’s third most populous city. Located in the northeast, looking out over the North Sea. Home to some of the most terrific storms in the world and roughest seas, it could be beautiful and calm in the summer and positively deadly in the winter.

Known for its exceptional fishing community and easy access to the North Sea oil rigs, it was a busy port that allowed for profitable commerce in the area.

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