CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Deirdre stayed under the speed limit, casually driving toward Aberdeen. She'd been to Scotland many times over the years but never took the opportunity to truly explore her beauty. Today, she was feeling confident and sure of herself. She took in the rivers, mountains, and lakes. The dozens of castles, some in ruined states, others fully restored and operational.

"This could be the ideal place for me to start a new life. Later," she smirked. With her new hairstyle and some outlandish makeup she'd purchased, she looked more like a seventies punk rocker than a runaway socialite from London.

She drove to the local McDonald's, picking up a quick bite to eat, never even lifting her head. In fairness, the teenager at the window never bothered to look at her. He was too busy flirting with the girl bagging the French fries.

Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city. Located in the northeast, looking out over the North Sea. Home to some of the most terrific storms in the world and roughest seas, it could be beautiful and calm in the summer and positively deadly in the winter.

Known for its exceptional fishing community and easy access to the North Sea oil rigs, it was a busy port that allowed for profitable commerce in the area.

Today, Deirdre cared nothing for any of that. She just needed a ride. That was all. Leaving the car parked in a shopping center parking area, she walked the distance to the waterfront area and along the boardwalk.

Seeing the line for the ferry, she felt a sense of panic at first but then decided she had no choice but to wait. No one seemed to be looking her way.

"Can I help you?" asked the ticket agent.

"I need a ticket to Orkney, please," she said crisply.

"When will you return?" She froze for a moment, unsure of how to respond, then looked at the man.

"I'm unsure at this point. Can I leave it open?" she asked.

"Sure, luv. I'll just make it a one-way ticket, and you can purchase another one-way when you return. If you need a place to stay while you're there, I recommend Netherbutton Cottages. They're lovely."

"I'll keep that in mind," she said anxiously. He handed her the ticket and pointed toward the waiting area.

"We'll be a few minutes. They're working on the ferry," smiled the man.

She only nodded, taking her seat. There was a television in the waiting area, the news channel blasting for all to hear. With no one else paying attention, she switched the channel to something more domestic. A DYI television show.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience. We're ready to board the ferry for Orkney now. Please have your ticket ready to be scanned and your items ready for inspection."

"Inspection," she whispered. Damn. She'd have to discard the knife as quickly as possible. Running into the ladies' room, she made sure no one was hiding in the stalls and removed the knife from her bag. Wrapping it in paper towels, she tossed it into the waste basket and then looked at herself in the mirror.

Deirdre wanted to laugh at herself. If the women of her circle could see her now, they'd understand that she was a woman willing to do anything to get what she wanted.

Boarding the ferry, she was guided to the top deck. Still enclosed with glass, it gave wonderful views but was a bit colder than the bottom levels. With no one else in the space, though, she was somewhat relieved, realizing she would have the deck all to herself.

Hearing the long horn of the ferry indicating her departure, she let out a sigh. She was on her way, and nothing could stop her now. She'd find a way to hide out in Orkney until she could get a ride to Norway. From there, she'd make her way to Sweden and then possibly south toward Spain or Portugal.

If she were lucky, she'd turn this into a nice holiday. Maybe spend some time in the sun and buy a bikini.

"Money," she whispered to herself. She'd need to find a way to get more money. She'd never been very good as a pickpocket. She tried it when she'd first arrived in London, but her hands weren't quick enough.

Of course, none of that would have been necessary if they'd just listened to her, just responded to her requests.

Standing at the glass looking out over the sea, she felt as though she were the captain of this ship. She was going to forge her destiny once again.

Suddenly, annoying sirens were going off all over the ferry. They were only about a half-mile from shore, but it was far enough that she wouldn't survive the frigid water and swim.

"Ladies and gentlemen. This is not a drill. Please proceed to the closest lifeboat station with your life jacket on. I repeat. This is not a drill. Please proceed to the closest lifeboat station with your life jacket on."

Deirdre spotted the life jacket above her head on a rack and pulled it down, securing it around her body. She walked swiftly toward the door and pulled. Nothing.

"What in the world?" she frowned. She pulled the door again, and it refused to open. A sense of panic swept over her body. She pounded on the glass.

"Hey! Hey! Someone help me! I'm locked in here!"

No one responded. No one said anything or did anything. Fear and panic took hold of her body as she lifted chairs, throwing them against the windows. They didn't break. They didn't even crack.

"No, no, this can't be happening." She ran toward the door again, pounding against the glass and metal.

"Help me! Please, someone help me!"

A man in a dark ball cap was coming up the stairs, his face looking down at his shoes.

"Help me!" she yelled. He lifted the lock bar and opened the door as she tried to push through, but he shoved her back, nearly toppling her.

"What the hell do you think you're doing? Let me out of here! I demand it," she said, stomping her foot.

"You demand it?" said Brix, slowly lifting his head. Deirdre paled, seeing his face. She took a step backward, then spotted the other men and law enforcement coming in behind Brix.

"You demand it," he said again. "This must have been what those children felt when they realized they were locked inside that room on the ship."

"I got them off! They weren't trapped as it was sinking!"

"We're not sinking," smirked Major. "We're perfectly fine. You're not very observant, are you, Deirdre? We were the only passengers on this ship. It's not like we're easily hidden."

Dierdre just stared at the men. Collecting her breath, relieved that they weren't sinking, she removed the life jacket and took a seat in one of metal chairs. She crossed her legs in an elegant fashion, folding her hands over her knees.

"Alright. You have me. Now what?"