Countdown - Iris Johansen [35]
“And you have to give Trevor what he paid for.”
His expression clouded. “You’re right to be cynical. I’m taking money for my work but that’s not why I’m here. Do you know how little chance I’d have to do work like this for anyone else? I’m fresh out of graduate school and I don’t have any experience to speak of. I wanted this job. I fought to get it. I wasn’t the only one he was interviewing. I had to do everything from assuring him I had no immediate family to doing a test translation on one of the scrolls. A project like this comes once in a lifetime.”
“And it may land you in prison.”
“Trevor promised to protect me and see that that doesn’t happen. It’s worth the risk.” He smiled with an effort. “And having you here makes it that much more exciting. I hope I can convince you that I’m telling the truth when I say that I wouldn’t do it for just the money.”
“Why does it matter to you?”
“You’re close to my age. Trevor and the others are . . . different. I get lonely here sometimes. I thought maybe—”
He was appealing, insecure, and for an instant he reminded her of Mike. What the hell? She was feeling a little insecure herself at the moment, and he was the only one who seemed in the least vulnerable. She smiled. “Trevor is definitely different. And I can see why you’re not best buddies. I’d like to see where you work after dinner. Will you show me?”
“My privilege.” A luminous smile lit his face. “Trevor told me to take any room I wanted when I came here. I chose the bedroom and study suite where Trevor kept his statue of Cira. It will be wonderful to have you in that same room with her.” He added hurriedly, “Though I’m sure I’ll notice many differences once I see you together.”
“I hope you will.” She started up the stairs. “Now will you show me my room so that I can get cleaned up?”
You’re not pleased.” Jock was frowning anxiously, his gaze on MacDuff as he entered the stable. “Is she going to be a problem for you?”
“Hell, I don’t know.” MacDuff scowled. “And, no, I’m damn well not pleased. She shouldn’t be here.”
“She’s making you unhappy.” Jock’s gaze went beyond him to the castle. “Do you want her gone?”
“I told you that I—” He stopped as he realized what Jock meant. If he wasn’t careful, Jock would be figuring a way to get to Jane MacGuire to permanently rid MacDuff of his “problem.” He was usually more careful with his words around Jock, and it was the measure of his annoyance that he’d almost made the mistake of setting the boy off. “I’ll take care of it, Jock. It’s not a serious problem.”
“She’s making you unhappy.”
“Not really.” Christ, he didn’t feel like reassuring the boy right now. He was angry and annoyed and wanted to lash out at someone. Suck it up. He’d accepted the responsibility of Jock and this went with the territory. He clapped the boy on the shoulder and spoke slowly and clearly. “She may even be able to help us. It’s Jane MacGuire. You remember I showed you the picture of her on the Internet?”
Jock thought about it, trying to recall. Then he smiled. “Cira. She looks like Cira. The same as that statue that Trevor brought here.”
“That’s right.” Distract him. It didn’t take much if Jock wasn’t already focused. “I’m hungry. Is supper ready?”
Jock frowned uncertainly. “No, did you tell me to fix it?” He headed for the stairs that led to the apartment. “I’m sorry. I’ll get to it right away.”
“No hurry.”
“But you’re hungry,” Jock said. “You told me that you were—”
“I can wait.” He moved after him. “We’ll make it together.”
“We will?” A brilliant smile lit Jock’s face. “Together? That would be nice.” His smile faded. “But you don’t have to help. Don’t you want to go back to Angus’s place? I don’t want to bother you.”
“You’re not bothering me. I need a break. What’s quick?”
“Fresh salmon.” Jock frowned. “Or perhaps a steak. I’ll have to check to make sure what we have.”
“You do that.”
Distraction in place. And if MacDuff was lucky, Jane MacGuire would live through the night without any other intervention from him.
6
Bartlett was standing at the casement window across the