Page 102 of Undercover Savior

Fallon was right, but it wasn’t at all what she was thinking. However, without Mairi’s permission to do so, I wouldn’t feel right about divulging her secret.

“I can’t believe this,” I heard her mumble.

I looked up and realized she was studying me.

“Now, you’re holding something back. This won’t do, Sullivan. Either we work together, or we don’t. I told you I was willing to consider you for the exec-editor-of-investigations job, but if you aren’t willing to share what you know, I truly don’t see how I’ll be able to move you into that position.”

I bristled and wanted to remind her that she was the one who’d brought up the promotion. I certainly hadn’t asked for it. “What I know has nothing to do with the tunnels or with the Weber investigation. It’s a personal matter I’m not at liberty to share.”

Fallon sighed, pulled out her chair, and sat down. She was silent for several minutes, then leaned forward and rested her arms on the table. “Forgive me. Tensions are running high for all of us. It wasn’t my intention to take it out on you.”

“Thank you.”

“I cannot spend one more night at Blackmoor. That man—argh—my nerves are simply frayed.” She reached across the table for my hand, but I didn’t extend it. “Forgive me?”

“Of course.”

“Back to the drawing board, as they say.”

She stood and walked toward one of the bookshelves that lined the walls. “So, if there were tunnels, you’d think a room such as this would be the ideal way to access them. Behind a bookcase, perhaps?”

We both laughed since, with the exception of the fireplace and the windows, all four walls were covered with them.

“I need a bathroom break. Shall I check in with the boys, or do you want to?”

“Go ahead. I’d like to see what else there might be online about the Jacobites in Edinburgh.”

“Sounds good.”

Before I reopened my laptop, I stood to stretch. There was a wee view of Thistle Gate from out the window, but to see much more, I’d have to stand on a chair.

I thought about my first couple of days here and how I’d noticed CCTV cameras camouflaged within the low stone walls lining both sides of the pathways. Maybe the tunnels followed the same directions.

I also couldn’t help but wonder what in the world was up with Mairi. Like Fallon, I’d sensed she was lying, but why would she? Granted, even I didn’t care for Fallon’s approach. It didn’t seem like enough of a reason for her not to be honest, though.

Just as I took a seat and opened my computer, an instant message popped up on the screen. It was from Clive.

You’re in grave danger. Make contact immediately before it’s too late.

“Bloody hell,” I muttered, turning when I heard a noise behind me. “Fallon, you are not going to believe this?—”

I glanced over my shoulder, but instead of the woman I expected to see, a man dressed all in black and wearing a mask put his hand over my mouth and nose. He lifted me from the chair with his arm around my waist, and carried me through a passageway behind a bookshelf that was no longer flush against the wall. He eased past the panel that closed behind us, and we descended into darkness. My screams were muffled by his glove, and while I kicked with all my might to get free, with him cutting off my source of oxygen, my energy was waning quickly.

27

SAVIOR

“How goes it with the tunnels?” I asked Mairi when she rapped on the office door, then came in.

“May I have a word, sir?”

My eyes scrunched, and I glanced over at Gus.

“Mum, what’s wrong?”

“I need to speak with the two of you urgently,” she whispered, leading us out into the hallway.

“What is it?” I asked.

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