Page 44 of Tempted

“So, Dougall Harris was right.”

“It doesn’t matter anymore. He’s a free man. And he’s back in Scotland.”

“If he knew that he was innocent, then why didn’t he show up to granny’s funeral?”

“I don’t know. He never cared for granny. And he couldn’t stand half the family. At least the half that didn’t like my da, anyway.”

“So, now what? We just continue on?”

“Aye. Nothing is going to bring granny back. She was an old woman. And at least we know now that, while her parting wasn’t exactly painless, it was done naturally, and not by the hands of Callum, her own grandson.”

I swallow, digesting all this. I shake my head. Malcolm looks at me and I look at him, and something clicks. It’s his eyes. They’re so fucking honest. He’s concerned, shocked, deep in thought, and he cares deeply, and somehow, I don’t think it’s just because of the potential threat that Callum was posing to his family anymore, either. “Moira?” He starts.

“Malcolm.” She responds evenly.

“Does Declan know this?”

“Aye, I had the police on speaker when they called. Dougall knows, too. He’s on the phone with him right now.”

“I think we should still keep eyes on you and Steph for now. He might not be finished. Until your da is out of prison, that is. You both are still unsafe. And I wager even more so, now that your granny is gone, seeing as I bet my bottom dollar that she left everything to you, lass.”

“Aye, she did. She told me so herself a long time ago. And either me or Steph would know if she changed her will, since we were the only two that ever ran errands for her or with her.”

I nod at that.

“It’s settled then.” Malcolm says, and I’m not sure what that means. He’s already got eyes on me and Declan on Moira.

“How long do you think this will go on?” I ask him.

“Until the feeling in the pit of my stomach goes away, lass.” He says, leveling with me.

“I’ve got to go, Steph. I’ve got to head to the ER. I was there all night, too, doing damage control.”

“Okay. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Bye.”

I end the call and Malcolm looks at me. “I’m going to have someone in Scotland keeping watch on that little fucker, too. I want to know if he moves and has the balls to come back here.”

“I’d like to see those tapes personally.” I scoff. “I don’t believe that story as far as I can throw that little shit. He killed mygranny. And until I see that he didn’t with my own two eyes, I don’t believe it.” He nods, but I can tell that his wheels are turning. “Are you okay?” I check.

“If he came out all this way just to find Moira through your granny and yet he found everyone and still did nothing, he has unfinished business. No two ways about it.”

I shrug, playing devil’s advocate. “Maybe he choked. Maybe you guys threatening him the night before granny died spooked him. And maybe he knows that you’re powerful people and he can’t penetrate you or anyone around you.”

“Maybe so, if the man has any sense. But I’ve been in this business too long to know that anyone that needs money always comes after us. Any investigator will tell you in order to find the perpetrator and the motivation for the crime, to follow the money.”

“Aye, while that’s true, I’m not sure that Callum has the smarts to do any of that. Nor does any of that family. Look at Moira’s da. He’s been in jail and tried futilely to fake cancer for his own cause. None of them are all that intelligent, Malcolm. Moira got her brains from her granny and granddad.” I comment, picking up my stuff, getting ready to go. I’ve got another check mark to make on my to-do list, and it’s got a much faster expiration date on it than this.

He sees that I’m leaving. “Nothing I can do to stop you, huh. Not even Callum and the latest on him?”

I purse my lips into a smile. “Malcolm, I’ve already overstayed my welcome. Like you, I’ve got things to do.”

“Aye, fine, lass. But you be sure to take care of that cough.”

Surprising me, he pulls me close, and I let him. “I wouldn’t want to end up in your sick bed again, lad.” I say, almost in a purr, as his eyes search mine. He wants to kiss me and I want to kiss him, but I know that he’s not going to make the first move,so I do. I lean up and kiss him tenderly on the lips. “Thanks for taking good care of me.”

“Anytime, lass. Anytime.”

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