| |
W
abi was glad Owl had decided to stay behind as he knew the great owl would keep watch over his place. Before he left, Wabi had taken great pains to fill his leather pouch with a couple of items that he might need, primarily his rowan twig and some jam Mrs. Favré was sending to Caitlin. Of course he donned his cloak and grabbed his crooked staff. At the very last minute, he remembered to pack the book for Caitlin, the one that told the life of her ancestors that her grandmother, Ci-Cero, had written.
Flying along at the speed of starlight was absolutely the only way to travel. He'd zipped past several universes in just a matter of minutes and the sights and sounds he experienced were exhilarating. Now, he'd brought himself back to this earthly plane and had appeared on the top of the moor near the MacKinnon lodge.
The old wizard pulled his cloak tightly to his body. He’d forgotten how cold it could get in the Highlands. His nose detected pine burning, most probably at the lodge. But for now, he had decided to keep his presence known only to the forest creatures. He'd thought about Ian's comments about sensing darkness, an evil presence about. He did not doubt the lad was correct, but the boy was new at this.
Perhaps it's not as dire a situation as Ian thinks. Either way, I'll look around the area before I go to the lodge.
Following a small path on the far side of the moor, he walked slowly into the forest and was seen only by his feathered and furred friends.
~ * ~
ALEX HAD AWAKENED EARLY, as usual. But something was different. Something missing. What? He lay close to Caitlin, who had turned over for another few moments of warmth before arising. Alex thought for a second and then realized what was wrong.
Coffee. No smell of coffee.
He stood, quickly wrapped himself in his kilt, grabbed a shirt and hurried down the stairs. Da always had the coffee brewing before now. Had Deirdre harmed him? His heart raced and he took a deep breath as he reached the bottom stair and turned toward the hallway where Deirdre slept in Mam's room.
There was Da, slumped in the old chair, his book still in his lap, snoring to high heaven. Relief rushed through Alex and he let out the breath he'd been holding.
He walked over to Da and touched him gently on the shoulder. "Da? Are ye all right then? Da?"
The old man slowly opened his eyes and looked at his son, confusion written on his face. What was Alex doing waking him? He was expecting Jamie. Surely Jamie should have relieved him by now.
"Alex? What are ye doing, lad? Is it time to relieve me? Where's Jamie?"
"No, Da. It's morning already. I guess Jamie slept through the night. Are ye all right?"
"Aye. Aye. But sure am stiff from sleeping in this chair all night. Could do with a little coffee meself. Let's get up and about."
"You go get the coffee brewing. I'll get Jamie. He'll be upset he slept through his shift. Better get coffee ready for him, too, I expect."
Alex found his way to Jamie's room. He knocked lightly and let himself in. Jamie was a bit older than Da and a cousin, but Alex never had understood the proper connection. He'd lived here most of his life, having lost his wife, Margaret, early on. After her death he moved into the lodge and they treated him the same as they did Uncle Andrew.
"Jamie. It's morning. Time to rise. Da's got coffee going."
Alex walked a little closer. The old gentleman was lying across the bed, still dressed, with his boots on.
Why in the world would he sleep in his clothes and boots?
Alex squatted next to the bed and put a hand on the old man's arm. Cold. He was cold. Then, knowing it was unnecessary, he felt for a pulse. The old fella was gone.
Oh, Jesus.
Alex thought for a second before he stood again. Had Deirdre caused this, too? Did she come in here and strangle him as she had her mother? If Jamie had any ailments, he'd kept them to himself. But then, that was the MacKinnon way, wasn't it?
Think Alex. Think. That's what yer good at.
Before he even went to tell Da, he hurried to get Caitlin. She'd know more what she was looking at than he would. Passing Ian in the hallway, he called out to his youngest brother.
"Go on down, Ian. I'll be there shortly."
He found Caitlin still under the covers, but awake. "Caitlin, hurry lass. Jamie's died during the night. I need ye to take a look at him."
"What? Jamie? No, he can't be dead! He was fine last night."
She pulled her dressing gown on and followed Alex to Jamie's room. Her first thought was the same as Alex's. Had Deirdre done this?
Why Jamie? He was such a gentle soul. My spirit recognized him even when I didn't. But this is no time for tears and reflections. I need to try to figure this out.
"Alex, we need to look at his neck. See if it has marks like Mrs. Taggart."
Alex carefully turned Jamie's body over and they both looked. No prints anywhere. Caitlin made a head-to-toe assessment and could find nothing to indicate any violence. There were no bruises anywhere, no scratches and certainly no finger marks on his neck.
"I think he may have truly just died in his sleep. He mentioned to me recently he had a little heartburn now and then, but I didn't give that too much thought. He never complained of any other physical problem that I was aware of."
"Nae, lass. But if he even told ye he had a 'little heartburn,' then ye can bet it was more than that."
"Then the only thing I think makes sense is that he had heart problems. But we'll never know for sure. Oh, Alex. He was just the kindest old man. This place will not be the same without his quiet presence. For one who spoke so little, he always seemed to say so much."
"Come. We need to tell Da and the others."
She nodded, determined to hold her tears.
They went to the kitchen, which by now had become the gathering place for everyone. Jack and Millie were there, Midge was asleep in the crib, and Da was pouring coffee. Ian sat quietly just listening, sipping his coffee.
"Here ye go, lass." Da handed Caitlin her coffee, prepared just the way she liked it.
"Is Jamie on the way? I'll pour his cup, too."
"Nae, Da. Jamie's not coming this morning. Ye need to sit now. It's bad news we bring I'm afraid." Alex said. He so wished he didn't have to tell Da about Jamie.
"Sit? Why do I need to sit, lad?"
"We don't know what has happened, but Jamie's dead, Da. He's lying on his bed fully dressed. He apparently passed away during the night."
"What? Jamie? Whatever do ye mean? He's never had a sick day in his life."
"Aye, I know Da. But it must have been his time, as Mam would have told ye."
Da slowly sat down in his chair and shook his head. "Jamie, dead? He's been like a brother — just like Andrew. I know we only have a certain number of days on this earth, but I wasn't ready to see him go jest yet, ye ken? Caitlin, what do ye think, lass? What happened to him?"
Caitlin came over and put her arms around Da's shoulder. "Probably his heart, Daniel. But we'll never really know."
There were no words that could ease his pain, but she knew just the touch of another could be comforting. And this role was one she was well suited for.
Da stood slowly and addressed Alex. "When Andrew comes, tell him I'm out for a walk. He'll know where to find me."
Jack had held his patience about as long as he could stand it. When Da took his coffee and walked outside, he finally vented his thoughts. "Alex, are ye sure Deirdre didn't cause Jamie's death? How do we know she didn't? She killed her own mam for God's sake!" His face was about as red as his hair when he got this riled.
"I believe he must have had heart problems, Jack. Deirdre's still asleep, but when she wakes, we'll question her at length." Even as she said them, Caitlin wasn't sure she believed her own words.
"Then I'll take her home myself — today. I don't want her here another second." Jack stormed out the door before he exploded with what he really wanted to say.
They waited another half hour, but when Deirdre still hadn't come out, Millie fixed a breakfast plate and handed it to Caitlin. "Take her a tray, Caitlin. A bit of breakfast and hot cocoa might help."
"Aye, Millie. That'll give her a little energy that she'll surely need today."
She carried the tray gingerly, knocked softly and opened the door. "Good morning, Deirdre." Then she hurriedly put the tray down before she dropped it. The lass was gone. Was she in another room perhaps? She'd complained about Mam's room, but Caitlin had put her in there because it was the warmest room in the house. But now, she was not here.
Hurrying to the kitchen Caitlin caught Alex just as he was about to go out. "She's gone, Alex. Deirdre's gone."
Alex stared at her. "Gone? Where could she be? Her foot would keep her from going far."
Alex thought the morning couldn't get any worse, but he was wrong. Jamie had died, and now a mentally disturbed woman was on the loose. What else could go wrong?
"Ian, lad, do ye think ye can go and get the vicar? Maybe he can help settle Da and Andrew. Talk to them or whatever it is he does. And we'll need the lads to get a coffin ready. We'll need to bury Jamie soon, lad."
"Aye, I'll take care of everything. Ye go on and try to find Deirdre. But be careful, Alex. There's evil in her. I feel it whenever I'm in the room with her."
Caitlin could think of nothing to ease their worries. "She's not well, Alex. I believe she's drinking a potion that has her mind confused. That doesn't mean she's a killer, though. We just need to find her and keep her confined until we can figure out what's going on with her."
Caitlin always had difficulty believing anyone could be evil through and through, but in this instance, it just might be the case.
Alex was determined to find Deirdre and take her to the local authorities. He wasn't particularly interested in figuring out her "confusion" problems. He just wanted her out of their home and nowhere near Caitlin.
"She needs help, Alex. Maybe you don't think it's a good thing for her to be in our home, but she's not well. Is there no kin left at all? No one to look after her?"
"Nae. Not to my knowledge. She and her mam have been alone for several years now. I know she's a vile person, but even I have trouble thinking she'd kill her own mam. Do ye think this herbal potion could cause her to act that way? To kill another? Why would she drink such a thing?"
"There are herbal drinks that bring a kind of elated feeling, makes one feel as if they can conquer the world . . . or makes them forget their problems. There are folk that like these feelings and will do whatever they can to keep their minds in that place."
"Ye mean like the ones I've read about in the opium dens in the Orient? Herbal remedies can do that too?"
"Herbs are useful in preparing medicines, ointments and potions for drinking. But these same herbs can be mixed with others and may be lethal. Deirdre either knows how to make this potion, or knows someone who does. From her behavior I'd say she's been using it for a while now. It has left her unable to make good decisions, or even rational ones, apparently."
"Then all the more reason to not bring her here. Jack's fears are the same as mine. If I find her, I'm not going to bring her here. I'll take her to the village to the constable's office and let him figure out what to do with her. But no matter the situation or her condition, she's not coming back here."
He strode out of the room, his long legs making short work of the distance to the stable. He'd finish this business with Deirdre and keep his loved ones safe. If that meant destroying the woman, then so be it. He'd do so and not have a moment's regret.
~ * ~
CAITLIN PACED THE BEDROOM, trying to find a connection between the morning's events. So far, she'd been unable to connect any dots. Had Jamie just died in his sleep? Or did Deirdre play a part in his death? At this minute, the call to visit the circle of stones was screaming louder than ever. Was there an answer in that place that would help her get to the bottom of these questions?
Last evening the nightmare had come again. Why now after not coming for several weeks?
Someone is calling me, or their spirit is. It's such a soft voice. What is it saying? Why can't I understand the words? It's the same sound over and over.
She was positive the circle held answers, even though she didn't know what the questions were. There was definitely something in the circle she was to connect with. Or maybe someone. But if she went there, Alex would be even angrier with her than he already was. He hadn't made any comment yet, but she knew he hadn't liked her taking a ride and coming upon Deirdre at the falls.
She'd not been called on to use her newly found powers since dispensing with Lord Warwick and Commander Campbell, but she felt the time may be soon when she may have to use them again. Uncle Wabi had talked with her at length about her powers when he was here and he had suggested that Ian, too, may possess unusual abilities as well. What would the brothers think about that? Or did they already know? There was much she still didn't know about the MacKinnons.
Do I dare go to the circle again?
Her emotions were in turmoil. She'd always thought it better to follow your head when making decisions. It was her experience that listening to the heart tended to get one into compromising situations.
All right, I'll not go to the circle this morning. I'll tell Alex how strong the urge is. He'll just have to understand that I must act on these feelings sooner or later. And he has to understand that I must make my decisions about the circle — not him.