Timeless (49 page)

The wind dipped and tossed dead leaves into the air. She twisted around to face Quinn. “What is this place? Why have you brought me here?”

He appeared pale and his hands clenched at his sides. “’Tis both of them, Regan. You’ve found them both. I brought you here so both of us can say good-bye.”

CHAPTER 44

Grief weighted Quinn’s limbs as he entered the circle. “I know this place. I didn’t recognize it until I came up the path yesterday during the search. But I’ve dreamt of it.” He closed his eyes, fighting back the feelings that threatened to bring him to his knees. “I’ve seen Coira standing there as you are, mourning Bryce’s death. I’ve seen Braden standing inside the circle grieving them both.”

There was something more. He strained to remember, then shook his head. “Braden searched for Coira’s body for weeks. I dreamt of that when first we arrived here.”

“I’m sorry, Quinn—” she stopped and laid a hand on his arm.

“Maybe that’s why it haunts me so. He couldn’t save her or Bryce, and I couldn’t save them.”

Regan strode to him and gripped his hand. “Braden probably blamed himself, just as you do. But neither of you could have done any more.”

Leaves and scattered organic debris flew through the air. He looked toward the sky, still clear of clouds.

He softened his tone. “You’re not going to forget the bairn any more than I am. I’ve felt Braden’s pain just as you’ve felt Coira’s. I’d like to know if what little we’ve done has saved Bryce at least.”

Her eyes searched his face. “You’ve already started?

“Aye.” He nodded. “Will and his family are dead, Regan.”

She jerked. “Oh God. I thought they were home.” Her face crumpled, and she pressed both fisted hands against her lips.

“They never left Scotland, lass. They were offered an extension on their vacation and took it. They were killed on Skye.”

Regan pushed hard against him, her arms circling his waist, her fingers gripping his sweater.  She burrowed her face into his chest and her shoulders shook. Quinn’s grip on her tightened, and he cupped the back of her head. His eyes stung.

When she drew back to look up at him, her eyes were wet with tears. “At the airport—MacBean drugged me and he and Andrew Argus forced me to go with them. They took me back to Nicodemus’s cabin. He threatened you and your brothers if I should tell you. They threatened my family, too. He wanted me to encourage you go when your contract was terminated.”

Shock then rage thrust through his system, sending a rush of blood to his face and making his heart race.

“I’ve been frightened for you and for Rob and Logan.” She brushed at the tears that flowed down her cheeks.  “Even if you send them away, I’m not certain you could protect them. I’m not certain anyone is safe.”

Quinn’s tightened his hold on her. He’d known something wasn’t right. She’d been too quiet, and the bruises on her ribs had looked suspicious. Those goddamn fuckers. He brushed back the dark curls from her forehead in a gesture of comfort, though frustration and rage settled like a balloon beneath his ribs. How could he protect her, his brothers, everyone? There was only one way.

“I love you, Quinn. It’s not connected to Coira or Braden. It has nothing to do with them. It’s just you.”

He read conviction in her eyes; in the way she cupped his face and kissed him. Hearing the words, seeing it in her gaze, drained away some of the dread of what he had to do.

He kissed her, his lips hungry for what he would soon be giving up. Hungry for what time they had left. Her tears wet his face and he buried his face against her neck. She clung to him as he did her.

“I love you, too, Regan,” His voice sounded hoarse around the knot in his throat. “I think I have since the first.”

Her arms tightened around him. “I want to stay with you. I feel safer when I’m with you.”

“All right. We’ll set up camp on board
Grannos.
We’ll be safer there, less accessible.”

“And then?” she asked when she’d regained control.

“We’ll take advantage of the next storm and follow the directions Coira gave us.”

“Nicodemus will be there.”

“Aye, and we’ll heal him just as Coira did in the past.”

“And then?”

“When everyone is clear, we’ll end it.” He grasped her hand and drew her back down the path. “But right now— I just need to be with you.”

*****

When they reached the landing site, he tugged her toward the boat. He helped her into the seat, then shoved the vessel off the bank into the water and leapt aboard. The boat rocked, and Quinn braced a hand on the windshield as he climbed around the narrow edge and into his seat. He twisted the key. The engine fired, and he turned the bow of the boat toward the site.

Regan huddled into the seat beside him, chilled by the breeze despite her jacket but the internal cold seemed to invade her bones. Oh God, they were dead. Three completely innocent people. And Dr. Reinholt remained in a coma. And Marissa— She shuddered. How many more would die?

 The craft bounced, and she gripped the side of the vessel.

The dock came into sight, and Quinn swung the boat toward
Grannos
. They hit a stretch of choppy water, and the boat wallowed then settled into a teeth-chattering dance with the waves.

Cutting back the power, he guided the craft up against the side of the ship. Regan rushed to tie the boat off.

They climbed the metal ladder. As they gained the deck, he stood behind her, and she guided his arms around her. “Just hold me for a moment.”

“As long as you need, Regan.” His voice sounded husky. In the way his body pressed to hers, in the way his arms tightened and curved her back against him, she read both protection and desire. His warmth seeped into her back and eased the chill of shock and grief that still lingered.

Regan looked up at Mt. Slioch as it loomed over the loch. “I still love this place. I still feel its call.”

“Aye.”

She turned within his arms to press close.

Quinn’s lips brushed her bruised forehead, then he rested his chin atop her head.

An ache settled deep beneath her ribs, and she fought back a fresh wave of tears. They’d said the words and been cheated of the joy they should be experiencing by —everything. Anger shoved the tears aside. How much more where they expected to sacrifice?

“Hey, Quinn.”

Rob spoke from behind them, and Quinn loosened his hold to turn and glace over his shoulder.

“If you’re going to be here a wee bit, I thought I’d go to the pub for a meal.”

Quinn nodded. “Regan and I’ll be here all night, if you want to hang out with the lads for a bit.”

Rob bobbed his head. His gaze strayed to Regan. “Could I bring you something back from the pub?”

“There’s some steaks in the fridge we can grill later,” Quinn said. “Unless you want something different, lass.”

Regan shook her head.

“I’m sorry about the boy, Will and his family,” Rob said, his expression grim.

Regan nodded and looked away. Quinn’s arms tightened a moment.

“When our contract ends with Nicodemus, Regan will be leaving with me,” he said.

Regan read tension in his expression.

Rob studied him for a moment. “If that’s what the two of you want, I’m happy for you.”

“Aye, it is. Thanks.”

“I’ll be back in a while,” Rob said and climbed down the stairs to the
Bayliner.
The engine revved then grew distant as he drove to the dock.

 Had she become a point of contention between Quinn and Rob? And what about Logan? The three of them were so close. The magnitude of what Quinn was risking struck her like a punch, and she sucked in a breath.

God, if only she had never come to Scotland. She would have never known Quinn. Would have never put him in danger over and over. It was all her fault. It was all tied to her.

The sound of a boat’s motor reached them. Regan looked over her shoulder. MacBean’s gaze focused on the two of them as he passed close by
Grannos
on his way to the dock. Had he been watching them? Had he followed them to Isle Maree? She hadn’t heard a boat while there.

Since Marissa’s death, every time she looked up, MacBean was watching her. As Nicodemus had probably instructed him to do. He was waiting to swoop in and rip into her, or worse. Damn him. He’d be the one to come for her once this was over.

“I’m not ready to give up.” The words came out with more determination than she felt. “There has to be something we can do.”

“Like what, Regan?”

“The two great stones in the chamber—I think there‘s something beneath them.” She drew away from him to lean against the railing behind her. “There has to be some kind of conductor that ties the stones together. They’re laced with iron ore, buried into the ground. There has to be something that allows the current to pass from stone to stone.”

Quinn’s brows rose. “What do you think it might be?”

“I don’t know. Perhaps a natural chamber of limestone. If there were an alkaline fluid within it, it would act as a conductor.”

Quinn shook his head. “If that’s true it couldn’t be created by chance. It had to be constructed.”

“Or there could be more stones buried beneath and they’re close enough to act as conductors. I can’t know without an x-ray or digging. But—” she swallowed. “The amount of wattage a lightning bolt generates is a terawatt but it only lasts a fraction of a second. If we direct a consistent electrical current into the two main stones, do you think we could simulate what happens during a storm?”

“The electricity during a storm is only intermittent. There’s no way to tell exactly what will happen. But we could try. If we can avoid Nicodemus’s men.”

“Aye.”

Her mouth went dry. “When and how do you plan to set the charges?”

“As early in the morning as possible. ‘Twill only take a few moments now that the preliminary work is done.”

 She nodded. “There’s one more thing.”

His green gaze looked almost gray in the dim late evening light. “What?”

She had to tell him. He could still have a life. Still be with his family. “When this happens, you have to lay the blame on me.”

The sound of another boat approaching drew their attention. Was Rob returning?

His brows fisted. “Why would I do that?”

The occupants of the small johnboat drew close enough to recognize. Her stomach dropped, and her heart jumped into a hard rhythm. Regan looped an arm through his. Dear God, what next?

CHAPTER 45

Detective Chief Inspector Gordon settled on one of the benches attached to the tables inside the eating area of the galley. His dark eyes appeared as sharp as the first time Quinn met him. The aggressive intensity of his body language sent wary tension through Quinn.

Instead of sitting across the table from the detective, Quinn chose a seat across the narrow aisle that separated the tables leaving open floor between them. He hadn’t done anything wrong. He had to believe the truth would come out. He could only concentrate on answering Gordon’s questions and hope Regan would do the same for Detective Keith.

Frowning, Gordon shifted his position to face him and leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees. “The panel we ran showed your DNA, skin cells beneath Dr. Reinhart’s fingernails, Mr. Douglas. But atop that was someone else’s. Who else was with you when you visited Dr. Reinhart?”

Though the muscles in his stomach tightened, and his heart drummed hard against his ribs, Quinn kept his voice even. “Just Regan.”

“Where were you before going to Dr. Reinhart’s?”

“We had lunch at an Italian restaurant on Prince Street.”

“With Dr. Frost?”

“Yes.”

“Who’s now missing and presumed drowned.”

“Yes.”

“And who attacked the young boy and Miss Stanhope.”

“Yes.”

 “And now the boy and his parents are dead, too.”

Quinn remained silent, though the urge to deny any involvement had him clenching his teeth.

DCI Gordon sat back in his chair and folded his arms. “You can understand how it appears with so many tragic events happening in such a short time.”

“Aye. It appears to be a horrible sequence of events, Detective. Dr. Reinhart stood at the door after Regan’s session and watched us walk to the car. She was fine when we left. And we did everything we could to help Will. I thought he and his parents had flown home. It was a shock to find out they had been killed.”

“Where were you when you heard about the accident?” Gordon asked.

“I returned to
Granno
s about seven o’clock after helping with the search for Dr. Frost for most of the day,” Quinn said. “I was one of a crew of three. Gordon Murdock and Craig Drummond were with me. I dropped them off at their cabin, then came here. Struthers Macintyre had the watch on
Grannos.
He told me about the accident when I arrived.”

 “How well did you know Dr. Frost?” Gordon asked.

“At one time, I thought I knew her very well,” Quinn said.

“You had a relationship.” It sounded more like a statement than a question.

Quinn nodded. “We were lovers for a short time. She moved on to another dig and I to another salvage job.”

“Who broke things off?”

“She did.”

“Were you upset by that?”

“Aye, I was. But that was all in the past. I’m with Regan now.”

 “Would you mind removing your sweater, Mr. Douglas?”

Quinn shrugged. “No, I don’t mind.” He grasped the hem of the cable knit garment and dragged it over his head. The sleeve caught on the brace on his left arm. and he tugged it free.

“You weren’t wearing the brace when DS Keith fingerprinted you.”

“No. It was difficult to turn pages in the books we were working with and wearing the protective gloves was uncomfortable with it on.”

“What did you do to your hand?”

“I caught it between the netting on a twenty ton stone and the air bag raising it. It caused hair line fractures to some of the smaller bones in my hand.”

“Do you have an x-ray to prove that?” Gordon asked.