Countdown - Iris Johansen [141]
“Complaints, complaints.” MacDuff was coming toward them. “You’re lucky we were there to save your ass. You can’t expect everything.” He glanced at the briefcase in Jane’s hand. “What’s that?”
“Personnel records from the compound.”
He went still. “And what are you going to do with them?”
“Turn them over to Venable.”
He shook his head. “Not Jock’s.” He held out his hand. “You can do what you like with the rest. But not Jock’s records.”
She hesitated.
“I’ll take care of him,” MacDuff said quietly. “You know I will. He’s very close to crossing over to being normal. Whatever normal is supposed to be. I won’t have that blasted to hell. You don’t want that either.”
No, she didn’t want that to happen. She snapped open the briefcase and looked through the contents. She slowly held out the briefcase. “Only Jock’s file, MacDuff.”
MacDuff riffled through the file and drew out a folder. “That’s all I care about.” He glanced at the briefcase Trevor was holding. “What’s that?”
“Copies of the translations of Reilly’s Herculaneum documents,” Trevor said.
MacDuff’s eyes narrowed. “Indeed. I’d really like to see those.”
“So would I,” Jane said. “And I’ve earned the right for first look.”
“Why not let me—”
“Back off, MacDuff.”
She thought he was going to continue arguing but he smiled instead. “Consider me backed off.” He handed the personnel briefcase back to her. “But keep me in mind for the second look. And you’d better get out of here with it or it will be impounded as evidence and buried for a decade or so in red tape. Neither one of us wants that. Can you drive?”
She nodded.
“There’s a truck in the garage that Norton was packing up. Get to a hospital and get those wounds tended.”
“I can drive,” Trevor said.
“You lost more blood than I did,” Jane said. “Jock was trying to inflict as little damage as possible with me.” She shook her head ruefully. “Jesus, I can’t believe we’re arguing about who has the worse wound.”
“Whatever. You win. Who’s going to wait here for the police?”
“I’ll do it,” MacDuff said. “Call Venable and have him call the local authorities and pave the way. I don’t want to end up in jail.” He looked at Jane. “Did Mario give you any idea what was in that last Cira scroll?”
“Only that it gave a clue about the gold. He was going to sell the translation to Reilly.” She frowned as she recalled that conversation with Mario. “No, that’s not right. He was going to tell him where to find the translation.” She glanced at Trevor. “We have to go back to the Run.”
“It’s still there?”
“That’s what he said.” She glanced at MacDuff. “So it seems we’ll still be your guests for a while.”
“If I let you come back.”
Trevor stiffened. “I have a lease, MacDuff. Don’t pull that crap.”
“It’s very tempting to just close the gates and go after that translation myself. It’s my home, and possession is nine-tenths of the law.” MacDuff added softly, “Why, you even left the Cira statue there, Trevor. How can I resist?”
“Try,” Jane said dryly. “You’re not old Angus and we’re not about to put up with you playing robber baron.”
MacDuff laughed. “Just a thought. I’m actually glad to have a little on-hand support from both of you. I’m taking Jock back with me, and we may need help if Venable finds out it was him who caused all this carnage.”
“Venable should be grateful,” Jane said.
“But government agencies ask questions, dig deep, and sometimes gratitude is lost by the wayside,” MacDuff said. “Suppose I meet you at the airport and we’ll go together? I’ll phone you as soon as I’m free here. Believe me, it will be much easier getting through my guards at the gate if I’m with you.”
Trevor shrugged. “Suit yourself. But don’t make any calls to your people about searching Mario’s study before we get there.”
“How suspicious you are. I never gave it a thought.” MacDuff turned away. “I’ll wait here and keep a lookout for the police. Before you leave send Jock out to me. I’ve got to brief him on what he should say to the police.”
“I’m not sure he’ll listen