Page 15 of Undercover Savior

“The contents of your vehicle have been delivered.” Angus motioned to an SUV parked behind us.

I caught a look pass between him and David right before the latter said he’d retrieve it and bring it to the cottage.

“By the way, the instructions were to bringeverything,” Angus said with a wink after David walked away.

I chuckled. “Most of what was found was likely rubbish.”

“I can help you sort through it if you’d like,” Mrs. Drummond offered. “As well as get you acquainted with the cottage.”

While I didn’t necessarily want her sifting through what was delivered, I wouldn’t insult her by not taking her up on her offer. “That would be lovely. Thank you.”

“Shall we?” She motioned to the pathway that led to the bridge that would take us to the cottage.

Neither of us spoke on the way, me because I was too busy taking in my surroundings. While well hidden, I still caught sight of surveillance cameras concealed in the stonework of the low walls surrounding the castle.

“The view is fabulous,” I said, turning in a circle and picking up on the way the landscaping had been designed so there wereclear lines of sight from all approaches, whether from where we came in last night or from the loch. No doubt the same was true for the forested land to the north and south of where we walked.

Regardless of how many centuries ago the castle had been built, it would have been designed as a fortress to protect against marauders. That explained its positioning on the promontory. However, the more modern technology I’d noticed was curious.

I hadn’t been able to see it last night, but now, I noticed the lock on the cottage’s door and the way Mrs. Drummond rested her hand on a pad where one might expect to see a doorbell. I heard a click, then she put the key in the lock and went inside ahead of me when it opened.

That level of security made some sense, knowing David was with SIS, but seemed like overkill, so to speak. When I’d asked if he lived here, he responded that he wasn’t here often. I took it to be a vague affirmation. But why did he? And why would whoever owned the castle go to the trouble and expense to have such elaborate security measures installed?

Unless the owner was someone who also worked at SIS but at a higher level. Maybe his boss. Or his boss’ boss. Then it would be more logically explained.

Once I had my laptop powered up, the first thing I’d do would be to search castles in the west of Scotland, then see if I could figure out who owned it.

Actually, it wouldn’t be the first thing. I needed to attempt to get in touch with someone and let them know I was okay. Who, though? Clive? When I recalled the conversation I’d overheard, I thought better of it. Given the offices were closed for the holiday, no one would be expecting to see me anyway.

As far as anyone else realizing I was “missing,” it wasn’t as though I checked in with my parents daily or even weekly.

My mum would call occasionally, but given I’d spoken with her only a couple of days ago, it was unlikely I’d hear fromher again before Christmas. Even then, I’d told her I wouldn’t be able to spend the holidays with them this year due to my workload. I doubted she’d bought it, but that our relationship was strained wasn’t a secret to either of us.

The next thing I’d need to do would be to see if anything had hit the wires about what had happened at Edinburgh Castle last night.

“Apart from what was in your car, is there anything else you need?” Mrs. Drummond asked.

“A cup of tea would be nice.”

“I’ll get it,” she said when we both walked toward the small kitchen. I watched her fill the electric kettle with water.

It was in my nature to ask questions both about the estate and the man who’d brought me here. However, grilling her would put her in an awkward position, given her employment.

I gazed out the window at the castle above, thinking about the body language I’d picked up on between David and Angus. Oddly, it was almost as if the man who’d saved my life was the other man’s superior.

I glanced at Mrs. Drummond, who was studying me.

“Yes?” I asked.

“Nothing. Oh, there’s David now.”

“I’ll get the door,” I offered since she was pouring hot water into the cups.

“Thanks,” he muttered. “Where would you like me to put this?”

The box was huge. “Uh, bedroom so it isn’t in your way?”

I followed him down the hall, and he set it on the floor before turning and leaving. I shut the door behind him, anxious to find my laptop and mobile.

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