Page 98 of Undercover Savior

“Yes?”

“Labyrinths.”

“Go on.”

“While at Glenshadow, Fallon found monastery records that showed drawings of an elaborate system of tunnels believed to have been built during the Jacobite Rebellion. That led us toconsider what others exist in Scotland, primarily in Edinburgh. According to her research, there are endless passageways that some believe are urban myths, but others believe are functional to the point they’re still being used.”

“You said Fallon found drawings of tunnels while at Glenshadow?”

“That’s right. Why?”

“A few days ago, before we left for Glenshadow, Con, Gus, Tag, and I were reviewing the plans for the cottage. This cottage. One page of the drawings was of a similar tunnel system.”

“David, I don’t think?—”

“Hear me out.”

“Sorry. Go on.”

“During the discussion, Con hinted that Gus already knew about tunnels that led from the castle to this cottage. Gus denied it, of course.”

“You think it’s Mairi who knows.”

“I do. She might even know something about those in Edinburgh. If she doesn’t, I’d be willing to bet she knows someone else who does.”

“Brilliant, David. See? You’re not so bad at investigative work, after all.”

I checked the time and groaned. “We best be on our way. It’s half eight already.”

“There you two are.We thought you’d forgotten our meeting,” said Con when we joined them in the castle’s library.

“Yes, well, we’re here now, aren’t we?” I snapped. “If you recall, I was not the one to suggest we meet at this ungodly hour.” I looked about the room. “By the way, where is Fallon?”

“Here,” she said, walking with a tray of fruit. Mairi followed with pastries.

“Bless you,” I said, wishing I could reveal who she really was to me. However, I wouldn’t push. Telling the Ashcroft staff would not be easy for her.

I poured tea for both Sullivan and me, then sat beside her. “Are you ready to get started?”

“I am, but I’m wondering if we should ask Mrs. Drummond, err, Mairi to sit in or if we should wait until we’re ready to discuss the Edinburgh tunnels.”

Given even the most seasoned intelligence agents in the room would likely be shocked by Sullivan’s theories, I couldn’t imagine how Mairi might react. “I think it would be best to wait.”

“Right.”

“If I could have everyone’s attention, we have a great deal to discuss this morning. Before we do, has everyone been briefed on the information Tag relayed last evening?”

Fallon was among those murmuring they had, which was all I’d wanted to be certain of.

“One of the things discussed was, if our theory is correct that Weber is trafficking weaponry, it would stand to reason it would either be chemical or biological. Sullivan brought up another option worth consideration.”

She cleared her throat. “We’re all in agreement that Weber knows a well-timed and targeted raid on even one of Tower-Meridian’s shipments would put an end to his operation. I’d like to suggest we consider that it might not.”

“What do you mean?” Fallon asked.

“If what he’s developing is something we’ve never seen or know nothing about, then a raid would be fruitless.”

I knew the moment Con realized what she was about to suggest. He sat back in his chair, raised his hands to his head, and briefly closed his eyes. “Bloody fucking hell,” he said under his breath.

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