Page 22 of Edinburgh Escape
Callum came to a stop in front of a building that had probably been standing since medieval times. He glanced over at her. “The good news is that this is his building. The bad news is there are more stairs involved.”
Maggie stared up at the beautiful old building, thankful it wasn’t more than four stories. “I can do it. Lead the way.”
Callum held the door for her.
Maggie crossed the threshold into a small entryway with doors on either side and a staircase leading upward.
Callum took the lead and started up the steps. When he stopped on the first floor, Maggie could have kissed him.
A door opened in the middle of the hallway, and a big man with a barrel chest stepped out. “Cal, old man, glad you made it. Come in. Come in.”
Cal laid a hand against Maggie’s back and guided her toward the man dressed in a traditional plaid kilt.
“Still playing pipes for the tourists?” Cal held out his hand.
“It’s a living and better than being target practice for the Taliban, wouldn’t you say?” The man gripped Callum’s hand and pulled him into a hearty hug, pounding his back hard enough Maggie winced. When he stepped back, he turned to Maggie. “And who is this bonnie lass with ya?”
“Angus Graham, this is Maggie McKendrick,” Callum introduced them.
Angus took Maggie’s hand in his big, meaty one. “Nice to meet you, Maggie McKendrick.” His gaze went from Maggie back to Callum. “Your wife? Fiancée? Girlfriend?”
Heat filled Maggie’s cheeks as she quickly shook the man’s hand and let go. “None of the above.”
Angus’s eyebrows rose. “If that’s the case, there’s a chance for me.” He lifted his chin and patted his broad chest. “I’m a lot more man than the likes of young Callum.”
Maggie shook her head. “I’m sure you are, but I’m not here for long.”
“Ah, a Yank, are ya?” Angus smiled. “I’d like to spend the day listening to your accent and watching the sun glint off your hair, but duty calls.” He opened the door behind him and waved them inside. “Make yourselves at home. If you’re still around this evening, we can find something to eat. Nothing much in the fridge but some cheese. There’s bread on the counter.”
“All we need is a shower and a couple of hours of sleep,” Callum said. “Ms. McKendrick has an appointment to keep. We may or may not be back afterward.”
Angus nodded. “Just let me know.” He gathered a set of bagpipes, settled a beret on his head and waved a hand. “It was good to get your text. Last I heard, your entire team was hit. I thought you might be dead.”
As Maggie watched the interaction between Angus and Callum, she was shocked at the sudden change in Callum’s demeanor.
Her bodyguard’s jaw tightened. “I’m still here,” he said, his tone flat, emotionless.
A moment before, he’d been smiling and seemingly happy to see his friend. And just like that, a shadow fell over his face, giving it a grayish tinge.
The mention of his team had done that to him.
Maggie wondered what had happened. If Angus had assumed Callum was dead, were there others who hadn’t survived whatever hit they’d taken?
“Make yourselves comfortable. If you run into any trouble, you know what to do.”
Callum met and held Angus’s gaze. After a moment, he nodded. “Aye. It’s good to see you, old man.” He reached out and clasped Angus’s forearm.
“Take care,” Angus said and turned to shake Maggie’s hand. “A pleasure to meet you, fair Maggie.” Angus left the flat, closing the door behind him.
Maggie turned to Callum, wanting to ask him what Angus had meant when he’d said, You know what to do. She also wanted to know what had happened to him and his team.
His face set in tight, unapproachable lines, Callum moved away from the door and dropped their backpacks on the floor.
Maggie would have to wait to ask her questions when Callum wasn’t so distant. Instead, she moved around the small flat. Though the kitchen was small, it had a full-sized refrigerator and a table with two chairs. The living room had a single sofa against one wall with end tables on either side. A television rested on a stand against the opposite wall. She walked down the short hallway. Two doors led into bedrooms, one larger than the other. Behind a third door was a bathroom with a toilet, sink and shower.
When Maggie returned to the living room, she found Callum in the kitchen, peering into the refrigerator. “There are two bedrooms. I assume the larger one is Angus’s.”
“You can sleep in the other.” Callum tipped his head toward the sofa. “I’ll be okay on the sofa. You can be first in the shower, while I find something to eat.”
