Page 166 of The Highlander's Holiday Wife

“I had to see a patient a few blocks over, so I thought I’d drop in to see you before heading back to the clinic. Samantha, what was in that note?”

“That I know who’s behind the fraud. Arthur Baines.”

Braden’s face grew hard as iron. “Tell me everything.”

Samantha summarized what she’d discovered and how she’d accidentally tipped off Girvin. “It was incredibly stupid of me, even though I didn’t even put any details in the note. Clearly she was already suspicious.”

“I’ll kill them all, I will,” Donny growled.

Samantha touched Braden’s arm. “I’m assuming they took her to the Hanging Judge. That’s where we should go, right now.”

She went to fetch her cloak, but Braden reeled her back in.

“No, we can’t rush off,” he said.

Her temper flared. “I’m not sitting around while my sister is in danger.”

“She’ll be in greater danger if we burst in and startle them,” he replied. “It seems obvious that Girvin is spooked and figured Felicity would be a good hostage. That being the case, Felicity will be safe for the time being.”

Frustrated, Samantha shook her head. “We can’t be sure of that.”

“I see no other reason to take her.”

“Braden, weneedto get down there.”

“I agree, love. But we also need both a plan and some reinforcements.”

He took her face between his hands. His gaze, focused and intent, was utterly determined. She knew that he would do whatever it took to rescue Felicity, including putting himself squarely in the line of fire.

“Samantha,” he quietly said, “please trust me.”

When tears gathered at the corners of her eyes, she blinked them away. She needed him, but he also needed her trust and support to do what must be done.

“I do, my love,” she whispered back.

He pressed a quick kiss to her forehead. “That’s my brave lady.”

“So, what’s the plan, then?” Donny asked in a gruff voice.

“Should we go to the coppers, Dr. Kendrick?” Max put in.

“I doubt they’d believe us,” Braden replied. “Baines is too well respected by the legal community. Right now, I don’t want to waste time trying to convince the police of his guilt.”

Samantha’s mind was already leaping over that obstacle. “We need Haxton. He’s the key to all this. If we can get him to give up Baines, the police would have to believe us. Plus, he’ll likely know where Felicity and the children are being held.”

Braden’s quick smile flashed with approval. “And I would bet a bob that Girvin wouldn’t bother to warn him that you’ve blown their cover. She obviously can’t stand the man. I’m guessing that Baines would think Haxton expendable, too, so he’ll try to pin the blame on him.”

Samantha nodded. “We need to find out where Arthur is. If we can catch him in time—”

“You’re right.” Braden faced the others. “Max, you head down to the Hanging Judge and find Stevens. If Girvin went there with Felicity, Stevens will have seen them. Then report back to me at our townhouse. You know where it is?”

“Aye, sir. I’m off.” Max hurried out.

“Donny, you take Mrs. Kendrick home,” Braden said. “Put some ice on your head and rest while you can. We’ll be going back out soon enough.”

“What are you going to do?” Samantha asked.

“I’m going to see if Baines is at home.”

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