Countdown - Iris Johansen [113]
“Tonight.” MacDuff gave him a cool glance. “Jock needs to rest and have dinner. We’ll go out after that.”
“Sorry,” Mario muttered. “I’m a little on edge.” He passed MacDuff and Jock and went into the cottage. “I’ll take the Murphy bed. I’ll see you all later.”
“Go build a fire, Jock.” MacDuff whirled on Jane and Trevor when Jock had gone inside. “This isn’t going to work. Mario’s on edge? What about Jock? He’s already shaky, and he has to deal with a committee every step of the way? All of you go back to the Run and leave him to me.”
“That’s not what Jock wants,” Jane said. But she could see why MacDuff would object. That moment on the porch had shaken her a little too. It was clear Jock was remembering the suicide attempt in the asylum and it was filling him with confusion. “What were you planning for tonight?”
“Jock was picked up by the police on a road outside Boulder. I’m taking him back there and setting him loose.”
“You’re not staying with him?”
“I’ll be close enough. But I want him to feel alone.”
“And you accuse me of callousness?”
“That’s different. He’s one of—”
“Yours,” Trevor finished for him. “Then all is supposed to be forgiven?”
“Ask him,” MacDuff said. “It should be the two of us. You’re all outsiders.”
“Jock wants this particular outsider along.” Trevor gestured to Jane. “And since this is simply a preliminary foray with Jock, I’ll volunteer to stay here with Mario and keep him from interfering if you’ll take her with you.”
MacDuff was silent a moment. “I’m surprised. I thought you’d give me more of an argument.”
“Why? It’s not a bad plan. You want to shake Jock up, and too many bystanders would interfere with his concentration. Mario is a problem. The only danger in this situation should be from Jock and, with you standing by, Jane should be okay.” He met his gaze. “Just don’t try to shut me out when we get close to Reilly.”
MacDuff shrugged and strode into the house.
“I’m surprised too,” Jane said quietly. “You’re not one to stay and play babysitter.”
“It’s to prove to you how reasonable and self-sacrificing I can be.”
She gazed at him skeptically.
“The truth?” His smile faded. “I’ve had a bad feeling since we boarded that plane at Aberdeen. This entire scenario could go completely wrong.”
“But we’re moving, something’s happening.”
“I know. That’s why I’m giving MacDuff a little now, to cement more cooperation later. While you’re out there tonight I’m going to see what I can do about convincing Mario to talk to us about Cira’s scroll. Maybe I’ll try splinters under his fingernails. Just joking.” He gave her a quick, hard kiss. “Be careful with Jock. He may believe he’s ready to help but he could blow at any moment.”
Do you recognize any of this, Jock?” Jane could feel the ramrod tension of his muscles on the seat beside her. They’d been driving around for over two hours, and only during the last few miles had she seen any change in Jock. She glanced out the car window. It was a fairly populated area on the outskirts of Boulder, and the houses they were passing seemed to be in golf communities and upscale subdivisions. “Have you been here before?”
He jerkily shook his head, staring straight ahead.
“How close is this to where the police found him?” she asked MacDuff.
“Six, eight miles. Close enough to walk.” He studied Jock. “He’s definitely having a reaction. He’s drawing up inside like a clam.” He suddenly pulled over to the side of the road. “Let’s see if we can open him up. Get out, Jock.”
Jock shook his head.
“He’s terrified,” Jane whispered.
“Get out, Jock,” MacDuff repeated. His voice cracked with whiplike sharpness. “Now!”
Jock moved sluggishly to open the door. “Please . . .”
“Go. You know why you’re here.”
Jock got out of the car. “Don’t make me do it.”
MacDuff put his foot on the accelerator and drove off.
Jane twisted around to look back at him and felt her heart ache. “He’s just standing there. He doesn’t understand.”
“He understands,” MacDuff said roughly.