Page 76 of Undercover Savior

“I’d rather you not.” I looked around the room, then in the direction of the kitchen. “I don’t suppose there are any spirits stocked in the cottage.”

“I’m sure there are. What do you fancy?” he asked, winking.

“I was kidding.”

David put his hand on my cheek. “You weren’t.”

I nodded. “You’re right. A shot of anything would probably take the edge off.”

He walked down the hallway and returned with a decanter and two glasses. “Angus’ favorite brandy.”

“How long ago did he pass?”

David laughed. “The decanter was empty the last I noticed, so it’s safe to say either Mrs. Drummond or Gus filled it.”

“Thanks,” I said when he handed me the glass he’d poured. “Here goes,” I added after I’d downed it.

“Hello?” my mum answered.

“Happy Christmas,” I said, doing my best to sound sincere.

“Sullivan?Where in heaven’s name are you?”

“What do you mean? When last we spoke, I informed you I wouldn’t be coming this year.” Or any other year, I thought to myself.

“We’ve been worried sick. Your uncle is here. Hang on, he wants to speak with you.”

“Wait, Mum!”

“Sullivan, we’ve been trying to reach you,” Clive repeated. “Quite urgently, in fact.”

David was seated close enough to hear both sides of the conversation and reached out to take my free hand. “Have you? What ever for?”

“Have you forgotten who you work for?”

Both David and I raised a brow.

“Not any more than I’ve forgotten that I, along with most of the rest of the staff, am on holiday.”

“It’s imperative we meet. Immediately.”

“That won’t be possible.”

“Where are you? I’ll come to you.”

Where?I mouthed to David.

“The States,” he responded when I hit the mobile’s mute button.

“Right. Perfect.” I tapped the button again. “We can get together after the holiday, Clive. I’ll be in town after the first of the year, like always.”

“I said we need to meet immediately. I did not say after the first of the year. If you value your job?—”

“It’s a nine-hour flight from the States,” I blurted, fearing my temper wouldn’t hold much longer.

“What are you doing in America?”

“As I’ve said repeatedly, I’m on holiday. Would you please put my mother back on the line?”

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