Page 25 of Undercover Savior

“Have we met before?”

“Last night?”

Another curious response. “Yes, of course before last night.”

“I don’t know when it might have been.”

I folded my arms and studied him when I saw the telltale eye twitch. We had met, but when? And why was he lying about it?

“I’ll introduce you before we go inside,” he said when they got closer.

“Um, okay.”

“Sullivan Rivers, meet Conrad Carnegie and Niall MacTaggert, aka Con and Tag.”

“It’s a pleasure,” said the one David pointed to first.

I shook his outstretched hand. “Likewise.”

“Ms. Rivers,” said the second one, bowing slightly, like Angus had when we met.

We walked over to the door of the cottage, and David waved me inside first.

“Give me a moment.”

The two men and I stood a few paces inside while David spoke with Mrs. Drummond in hushed tones. The only thing I heard her say was, “Yes, of course, sir,” before she gathered her things, waved in my direction, and walked out.

Now, I felt terrible for snapping at her as I had.

“Is she coming back?” I asked.

David studied me. “Is there something you need?”

“No, I just…Never mind.”

After nodding once, closing the door, and locking it behind her, he motioned for us to take a seat.

“There are two issues with some urgency that need to be addressed,” he began. “Con, I believe you can assist with the first. Tag, with the second.” He turned to me. “Both men have been briefed by SIS as to why you are here. They’re also aware of last evening’s events at Edinburgh Castle and your investigation into Eric Weber and Tower-Meridian.”

When both men nodded in my direction, David continued.

“As was prudent, either Ms. Rivers or the news agency she works for put a dead man’s switch protocol in place in regard to the aforementioned investigation. The clock is ticking on the level-one activation.”

Con pulled a computer out of a bag he brought in with him. “What are the digital check-in requirements?”

“All I need is internet access.”

“While Con works on that, the other issue is relocation,” said David.

My heart sank. He’d made it clear he didn’t want to bring me here in the first place. More, he hadn’t wanted to take on the burden of responsibility for me. He was a sniper, not a bodyguard.

“Where? Or is that information classified?”

I saw a hint of a smile. “An estate bordering this one.”

I blinked away the threatening tears.

“Only temporarily,” said Tag. “It’s my estate, and I assure you, it’s quite comfortable.”

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