Chapter Twelve

The day stretched long as one of Campbell's forensic teams arrived at the island along with the same medical examiner who had looked at the head.

Luke pondered the situation, interested beyond a doubt in returning to the Connoly house, except all they could do as of yet was ask Lily Connoly about Jared Stone.

He wasn't sure where he thought the killers might have taken their surgery unit when they left Arthur's Isle, whether it was another island, or perhaps one of the properties on the water. Again, it was frustrating; it had to have been a major operation, moving so much medical equipment and the people who had the ability to use it and use it well.

The medical examiner wouldn't tell them with positive certainty until he'd done a few tests, but in his educated opinion and having studied the head—and hoping there weren't other detached bodies around—yes, it appeared this body was the rest of Dorothy Norman.

At last, they returned to the mainland. Campbell ordered them to stop long enough to have a luncheon, supper, dinner—a meal. He was still hoping to find something on Lily Connoly's financials—wherever her money was, she was certainly hiding it well.

Carly just wanted to return to the house and have dinner sent in. Jordan and Daniel agreed. MacDuff was staying with Campbell at the island a while longer, so it was just the four of them. It might be Scotland, but they all agreed on ordering in from an Italian restaurant.

As they sat at the table, Jordan asked, "What are we doing when we go to visit Ewan and Lily Connoly? I mean, we don't have solid evidence that they're involved. Jared Stone didn't say Lily was part of the greater picture, just that she'd paid him to sleep with her. So..."

"We probably need Ewan to like us until we do know more. So if we don't have more, my suggestion is we just ask her what she knows about Jared Stone and tell them witnesses saw him entering the house."

"Won't we put Flora MacDonald in greater danger?" Daniel worried.

"No, we can say a witness on the street identified him, that the witness recognized him from having been at Filigree," Luke said. "When she went into protective custody at the safe house, we had her call Lily and say she had to resign her position because she had a sick relative down in London. She knows nothing about Flora being in touch with us."

"Unless Jared Stone told her he'd run when we came up to Flora," Carly mused.

"I don't think there was a decent enough time gap. He did see Flora, but she might have gone on to London right after meeting with us. Again, we need to get their reaction. We will tell them Jared is in our custody, being charged, and we're trying to get him to tell us more to help himself. And if Lily knew anything about him, it would help us tremendously."

"If she is involved..." Carly mused.

"What?" Luke asked.

"She wasted her talents—she could have been a star. She was behaving so hysterically," Carly said.

"And in acting?" Luke queried. "How about Shakespeare? ‘The lady doth protest too much, methinks!'"

"Hamlet,"Daniel murmured. "But maybe so true."

"More than possible."

Their food arrived and they busied themselves setting up the table to eat. They continued to muse on the events of the day when MacDuff arrived at last.

All were happy that they had ordered plenty of food since they did have a full kitchen and could reheat everything.

But once he had a plate before him and managed a few mouthfuls, he told them, "I just received some strange information from Jackson Crow and Angela back in the States."

Luke looked over at Carly; they were both surprised Jackson hadn't contacted them first.

But MacDuff went on to tell them, "I called him in frustration. They're still working on just what went on. But the man who applied at the hospital, Harold Gleason, was a doctor in Miami. One who left the hospital where he was working about five years ago. The hospital couldn't help them, but in searching all kinds of records, Angela found a death certificate for the man. According to official records, Harold Gleason has been dead several years, killed in an automobile accident in Cairo. They are still trying to determine the authenticity of the death certificate. Also, they're tracing down his family, but he wasn't married and didn't have children. They are having trouble trying to find out who might have been his next of kin."

"So, the Harold Gleason who applied at the hospital here stole a dead man's identity—or he is the dead man, and he didn't really die in Cairo," Carly said. "Surely, it will be easy enough to determine if Gleason is Gleason or an identity thief. Facial recognition, DNA... There must be traces of the real man out there somewhere."

"Aye, there must be," MacDuff said. "But I got Jackson and Angela in the middle of their investigation. That's why you haven't heard from them yet—they like to be thorough before passing on information. Our people discovered that he had worked in Miami, but little more. Angela is tracking every possible lead with your people, and she'll leave no stone unturned. But you two know that!"

Luke nodded. "Right. So, we're looking for a ghost," he murmured.

Daniel made a strange sound, and Luke lowered his head to smile.

"We're collecting the players. We must be making movements in the right direction," MacDuff said. "Aye, and Italian was a great idea tonight! Regrettably... Campbell has informed the Connoly couple that we'll be coming by tonight to seek more help from them, is what he's said."

"And they didn't disappear or refuse to see us," Carly murmured.

"I told you we had people watching them. No, they have made no attempt to flee. Possibly because they know we're watching. Possibly because the woman just had extra money and wanted a young lover," he said.

"Are we all to go? Isn't that a bit of overkill?" Jordan asked.

"I'd like to split. Just as they've moved their surgery unit and supplies from Arthur's Isle elsewhere, I believe they've changed their modus for finding victims," MacDuff said.

"Sir, you know how many pubs, restaurants and bars there are in Edinburgh," Jordan reminded him.

"Right. But when Lila Strom left Filigree, we knew that she was headed to Kevin's," Luke said, looking at MacDuff, who nodded.

"Half of us to Kevin's to try to ascertain if he has his other players in place there," MacDuff murmured, "and half of us to the Connoly house."

"I will happily go to Kevin's. Of course, Kevin and his people do know who I am," Carly reminded MacDuff.

"But if there's a new charming young man—as in a second Jared Stone learning to work the ropes, inebriate young women and lure them to a van—he won't," Jordan said thoughtfully. "Maybe I should be with Carly. My city, I know Edinburgh well."

"And that is true. Luke, I'd like it if you were with me at the Connoly house." He shrugged. "You're an American. You might be able to get away with more."

"Whatever you want."

Daniel looked at them all thoughtfully. "I should hang at Kevin's," he said. "Because if they're already starting out again..."

"Strange, though," Carly murmured. "I talked to Kevin; instinct tells me he's a decent man. And Catherine, the bartender, was extremely helpful. I don't think either of them is holding on to super-charged whiskey and slipping it to people."

"And maybe they don't care how drunk they have people anymore. All they need to do is get them to the van," Luke noted. "And we need to remember the first two victims were men."

"Well, I'm charming, right?" Daniel said.

Jordan groaned, but the others laughed.

"Jordan," Carly assured him. "Don't worry, you're charming, too!"

MacDuff had finished his food. The man probably hadn't eaten all day, but then again Luke knew all too well how easily that happened.

"But, regrettably, enough food. Luke, you're with me. Carly, Jordan, Daniel, as always, be charming but take the greatest care."

Luke rose. It was time to go. He looked at Carly and nodded. Professionals. He still couldn't help but wish that he would be the backup headed out with her.

Then again...

The island had been deserted. Jared Stone was in custody, one van driver was dead and the man who had held prisoners at the old cottage near Rosslyn Chapel was in a hospital bed.

He sincerely doubted Nurse Dorothy Norman had been involved.

But she had known something. She had been executed—decapitated. She hadn't been killed for money or her organs. He was convinced she had known something and been a liability.

Did that mean they were running scared?

"Luke?" MacDuff asked.

"Right along, sir."

Carly, of course, knew he wasn't happy about their split. "We'll toss the paper and put away the leftovers."

"I've got this!" Jordan said, starting to pick up plates.

"With my charming help," Daniel told him, grinning.

"I'll be right back to add in my own help!" Carly promised, and she followed Luke as he headed to the door, stopping him for a minute and speaking softly for his ears only, she said, "Remember, in every species, the female may be far more cunning and devious and deadly."

He grinned. "Are you talking about Lily Connoly or yourself?"

She shrugged. "Maybe both. I'll be fine. Have faith in Daniel and Jordan. And me."

"I do," he promised her. "I would pit you against the finest agent, male or female, across the globe. But—"

"That's a little dramatic," she teased.

"Some of our finest agents have fallen in the line of duty."

"Right. So, you be careful, too," she said.

"We'll both be careful," he promised.

"Luke?"

MacDuff was out down the walk, ready to head into the car.

Carly indicated the door, and he grinned and strode on out to meet MacDuff.

It didn't take long to reach the Connoly house. They went through the front, and it was Lily who answered when they keyed in the number to say they were at the gate.

"Aye, we knew you were coming," Lily murmured. "And, of course, we've been waiting."

The gate opened; when they reached the front door, the woman was waiting for them. Again, she was anxious, looking at them worriedly and saying, "Dear Lord, please do not tell me there's another body. I saw on the news. Oh, my, things are getting worse and worse. Now they are reporting that a nurse has been killed. This must be ended!"

She had made herself angry.

"Mrs. Connoly—" MacDuff began.

"What are you? Entirely incompetent?" she demanded.

Obviously, that didn't sit well with MacDuff. Luke stepped in quickly.

"Mrs. Connoly, please, we've made several arrests in the matter at hand, it's something of a frightening scope, I do assure you. But as you know, Brendan Campbell spoke with your husband because we need your help on a certain matter. One man was killed in a kidnapping attempt, which was supposed to lead to murder and organ removal, and another is under arrest."

She backed away then just as her husband arrived at the entry, frowning. "Come in. I spoke with Brendan Campbell, and he said you needed more information from us," he told them, looking curiously at his wife. "Lily, please, ask our guests in."

"There are more dead people, more and more! What is going on?" she demanded.

"We were thinking you might be able to help us with that," Luke said pleasantly.

"Aye," MacDuff said. He forced a smile. "You see, Mrs. Connoly, we had a wee bit of a sting operation going on the other night. I'm afraid one man was killed—"

"Who? Do you have a name? Who was it?" she asked.

"We're still working on that," Luke told her. "But here's our question. We have a picture of this man—I can show it to you—and witnesses on the street out here saw him entering your house. He has identified himself to us as being Jared Stone. Do you know him, and can you tell us what he was doing here and anything else you might know about him?"

"Let me see the picture!" Ewan Connoly said, frowning.

Luke pulled out his phone and keyed up a picture of Jared Stone, which had been taken when he'd been brought into the station.

Ewan Connoly looked at the picture, frowning. He looked truly puzzled.

"I've never seen him before," he said. "Lily?"

Luke showed Lily Connoly the image on the phone.

She recognizes the man, I'm certain. And she's dismayed.

She might have hoped that Jared Stone was the man who had been killed.

She looked at Luke.

"I've never seen him before," she said.

"Look again, please—"

"Your witness is lying!" Lily said angrily.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Connoly," he said politely, "but several people saw him come here," he told her. He was lying, of course. But despite Jared Stone being involved in the heinous murders, Luke didn't believe he had been lying about his association with the woman.

"Lily?" Ewan said worriedly.

"Ewan! Stop, please. I don't know who or what these people think they saw—"

"Perhaps someone with a cleaning crew, with our internet...to fix appliances. My luv, try to think. They are here to get this stopped. If we can help in any way..."

"Well, you didn't see him, did you?" Lily demanded.

"I'm often out, at the bank—"

"Over with Ian, working, something!" she snapped. "And I'm here. And no, I don't care what people told you! I don't know him!"

Her temper was growing. Ewan just looked lost.

"Get out! Get out of my house and leave me—leave us—alone!" she cried.

"All right, we can do that," MacDuff said. "But I'm afraid you'll have to come with us to the station."

"What? No—why?" she demanded.

MacDuff looked at Luke. Luke shrugged and MacDuff nodded.

"We believe you do know this man, Mrs. Connoly. In fact, according to him, ma'am, you know him very well," Luke said, his tone low and regretful.

"He's lying!" Lily cried. "Liars! They're all liars! Ewan! Make them stop this. Order them off our property."

"Lily, if this man says he knows you, let's just do whatever it is they want to get it all straightened out," Ewan said.

"Ewan! No!"

"Lily, please. Why are you so upset and angry?" Ewan sounded truly baffled. "Aye, a wee bit of annoyance, but if we see this man—"

"I'm to be forced to face a liar?" she demanded.

"I'm afraid with his statement and the witnesses, we do need to understand just who is and who isn't lying," Luke told her.

"Straighten it out!"

"We'll straighten it all out, Mrs. Connoly. You can come with us willingly, or..." MacDuff said.

"You can straighten it out yourselves!" Lily raged at them.

But Luke ignored her and continued where MacDuff had left off. "Or...we can put the cuffs on you and escort you out forcefully."

She stared at him furiously and tried to slam the door on them.

Her husband stopped her.

"Lily, please!"

"You are worthless, not a man!" she raged at him, and she pushed past Luke, running wildly—and ridiculously—out to the yard.

Luke glanced at MacDuff, shook his head and took off after her. He caught her just as she reached the gate. She flailed at him furiously with her fists flying.

He caught her wrists and drew them behind her back.

"Sadly, Mrs. Connoly, it's going to be the cuffs. And we're afraid that what we're going to need to know is did you just pay a man for an illicit affair—or are you the very heart of a murder conspiracy?"

Kevin of "Kevin's" and his bartender, Catherine, were both behind the bar when Carly, Jordan and Daniel arrived.

They'd split up on the street so they wouldn't appear to be together. Of course, Kevin knew Carly, and she intended to explain to him—without alarming him, she hoped—that they were afraid his pub might be next in line as a place for the killers to scout out victims.

Luckily, there were still seats at the bar. Carly was able to slide onto a stool with no one beside her. She left Daniel and Jordan to find their places. Daniel was around the bar to the left, between a young man in a leather jacket and a dark-haired woman of about thirty. Jordan was around the bar to the right, taking the one empty chair by two young women, the empty stool being right next to a pretty young blonde girl.

Kevin was good; he saw her, and he seemed to realize she didn't want to be addressed by her professional title in any way. She was just a customer that night.

He was careful to speak with her as if she were any customer, as if he were just a good and jovial bartender meeting a new patron for the first time, asking her what she'd like to drink before lowering his voice and making it appear as if they were just casually speaking.

"You're welcome here, and grateful I am. What is going on here...the news grows worse and worse. Another woman was found, but not...not ripped up. But a news reporter stated it was a decapitation. Are these the same killers? Why kill now without a reason? Lord, help us! How many monsters may there be?"

"We don't know, but we are drawing some of those involved into custody. We will not stop until we have them all, whatever their part in the operation."

"Aye, that you must. And I'm glad to have you here. But I'll have ye know, I check every bottle of liquor that comes to the bar. I make certain that it's sealed and the labels are right. And we will not serve anyone to the brink of inebriation."

"That's responsible and wonderful of you," Carly assured him. She discreetly pointed out Daniel and Jordan.

Jordan was around the other side of the bar. He was already chatting with a young and attractive woman.

Doing his job, she thought with some amusement.

"Catherine is also the best," Kevin said. He lowered his voice, barely whispering. "She has been watching out, we've all been watching out. With what's going on..."

"Thank you."

"I'll fix you up with a bit of apple juice in a glass; it will appear you are sipping a whiskey. And I'll leave you, I assume..."

"Thank you," she told him.

It was not long before the stool next to her was taken. This time, it was by an older man, white-haired, polite and pleasant.

He welcomed her to the country after discovering that she was American and suggested many things to do in the city and in the surrounding areas.

He enjoyed his one drink and left. Jordan was laughing with the blonde woman, enjoying himself. It seemed to be fine with her dark-haired friend, because another young man had taken a seat next to her. They all seemed to be enjoying the night.

Daniel was engaged in conversation with another young woman. She was very attractive with shoulder-length burnished red hair and soft, lovely features.

She was watching him when she felt someone behind her. For a second, chills ran up her spine. Then she lowered her head and smiled.

She realized the spirit of Keith MacDonald was behind her. He slid into the stool next to her.

"This will be the next place?" he whispered.

Carly lowered her head to reply softly, "We aren't sure—we suspect it's also in a good area."

Keith nodded. "I'd like ye to know, I'll have my eyes on all that happens."

"Thank you!"

He nodded, and quickly slid from the stool. Carly saw that a pair of young men were about to take the two stools to her right.

Catherine came around the bar, asking them what they'd like. They ordered whiskeys. The man closest to Carly turned to her, asking, "Luv, can we get you another? Ah, pardon me, too forward? I'll introduce myself. Robbie Landon."

"Hello," Carly said. "Carly. Carly MacDonald."

"Now, there you go! American, eh?"

Carly nodded. "Is it that evident?"

He was a handsome man, early thirties, clean-shaven, with a quick smile, a strong jaw and sculpted cheekbones. Accustomed to being liked, she thought.

Just like Jared Stone?

"We like to be welcoming here in Edinburgh," he told her.

"I'm quite fine right now, but thank you," Carly told him.

His friend, about his same age, with light blue dancing eyes and dark hair, leaned across him from the farther stool, grinning at her. "Oh, aye, miss, you are quite fine!" he said, grinning. "Me mate forgot to introduce me. Cullen, miss, Cullen Darien."

"Nice to meet you, too, Cullen. And thank you," Carly said.

"So, first time to Scotland?" Robbie asked her.

"Oh, no. My grandparents were born here. I've been many times," she said honestly.

"Hmm, of course," Robbie said. "But you came with your grandparents or parents or...?"

"Both at different times," she said.

"And now you're on your own? First time?" Cullen asked.

She shook her head. "No, I come now and then."

"Ah," Cullen said, giving Robbie a punch in the shoulder. "There you go. We can't tempt her with showing her the wonderful sights to be seen!"

"Ah, but she hasn't seen them all, surely," Robbie said.

Cullen sighed. "He may be referring to himself. He is a sight, eh?"

Carly laughed softly.

But Robbie suddenly became grave and serious. "All in all, luv, you shouldn't be out here alone. I'd like to think you were just a lovely lass, one we could share a few laughs with at the bar, and then all go on...safe and sound. But I can't believe you haven't seen the news here. You really must be extremely careful. Horrible things are going on. You do know, right? I hope you saw the news conference given by the National Crime Agency bloke. It's truly lovely that you're here, but you must be careful!"

She nodded. "Thank you. I will be careful."

Are they going to suggest that they should walk me back to my lodging? Maybe two are involved now?

"I have some friends in the city. We'll meet up," she said.

This time, Robbie punched Cullen in the shoulder. "See? She has friends in the city—she doesn't need our help."

"Ah, but maybe her friends haven't been to every museum!" Robbie said.

Carly laughed softly and sipped her apple juice, the perfect foil for a real drink.

Robbie and Cullen were friendly and polite, suggesting places and falling into a serious discussion about the museums she shouldn't miss.

She was paying attention to them and trying to keep an eye on Daniel and Jordan. And as Robbie and Cullen argued about the museums, telling her she needed to come for more of the festivals, she noted Jordan was getting up. He smiled at the one girl who had been right next to him, telling her something as her dark-haired friend rose from her stool and interrupted the two of them, laughing and apparently telling them to have fun.

The dark-haired girl started down the hall to the restroom, leaving her blonde friend with Jordan.

Jordan and the blonde stood also.

Jordan set money on the bar and casually put an arm around the girl's shoulder. They started for the door.

Daniel was already excusing himself to his companions.

And Carly knew she needed to do the same. She smiled at her new friends, thanked them for a great time and rose.

"Wait! You could be in danger. The bloke on the news said no one should be alone," Cullen warned seriously.

"I just realized one of my friends is right there," she said, pointing to Daniel. "I'm going to get him to walk me back. Thanks for the conversation!" she told them.

Daniel was headed out the door. It was important, of course, for them to follow. But they needed to follow safely and give nothing away—but be close enough if something was about to happen.

She caught up with Daniel, who looked at her with surprise.

"Are you supposed to know me?" he asked her.

"There's no one on the street. I told the fellows at the bar that you were my friend here in Scotland," she told him.

"Do you think that a woman could really be involved in luring men to their deaths?" Daniel asked, then noted, "They turned just ahead."

"As will we," she murmured. "And yes. Two men were killed first. Who else might have lured them to a dark place to be killed? And while there may not be a worker at Kevin's who is involved with getting anyone inebriated—Kevin is keeping close watch on the bottles of alcohol himself—a woman can still lure a man away."

They took the turn that brought them behind the kirkyard.

The streetlights seemed especially pale. The weathered stones of Scotland's ancient city walls seemed to add a strange miasma to the night.

Of course, there was nothing wrong with the night. But the darkness did seem deeper. And even in the darkness, shadows seemed to loom.

"Ahead!" Carly said, as she saw there seemed to be a large lump on the ground ahead of them.

They heard a strange groaning, strange in the silence of the night that seemed as heavy as the darkness.

"Where are they?" Carly murmured, "and what is that? No, no, who is that?"

She hurried forward, Daniel close behind.

"Jordan!" she exclaimed, dropping down beside the man. She quickly felt for a pulse; he was alive. His eyes were closed. A strange soft sound escaped him again, a groan.

"Jordan?" she whispered urgently again.

Carly glanced at Daniel, who was searching in the distance for a glimpse of the girl. What was going on? Had she been sent out to lure another male to the killers? But why leave him as he was, knocked out on the ground?

"Maybe she saw us, maybe she knew we were following," Daniel muttered.

"We need an ambulance for him," Carly said, pulling out her phone.

Jordan opened his eyes and looked at her at last. "Fiona...must..."

"Did she do this to you, Jordan? Did she attack you?" Carly asked anxiously.

"No...no...go!"

"Jordan, what are you saying? Did she attack you? If so, why did she leave you?"

He struggled for speech, wincing, but he managed at last to form words. "No...lying in wait...ahead of us, man in a ski mask...lying in wait... Never saw... He has her... Hit me, iron pole...golf club...caught me back of the head...grabbed Fiona..."

"She didn't scream! You didn't cry out. We were right behind you!" Carly reminded him.

"So fast. Something on a handkerchief...over her face. She started to scream...the world...dark, dark descended... Must go save her, must go..."

Carly rose, staring at Daniel. "Stay with him, I'm going—"

"Not alone, and hurry!"

She whirled around.

The spirit of Keith MacDonald was back with them. "He didn't have a chance, Jordan didn't have a chance. I didn't even know he was already in the bushes, waiting...striking...but he's ahead at the cross street. A van will come, and he had the young woman knocked out. Please, hurry!"

"We can't leave Jordan alone," Carly said. "Daniel, stay—"

"But, Carly, not alone!" Daniel protested.

On the ground, Jordan was still groaning. But he managed, "Not alone, not alone, not alone!"

"She won't be alone!" Keith announced. "She will be with me!"

Carly was up. They had to move.

They had a chance, just minutes...

Daniel had his phone out. He looked at Carly and said, "Putting all coppers on call, getting to Brendan Campbell...the street goes out to main streets. We must do this—"

"You are oh, so right!" she agreed fervently.

She nodded quickly to Daniel. And she began to run into the darkness, determined to stop whoever had hurt Jordan.

Whoever now had Fiona...