Here With Me (Adair Family 1)

Over his shoulder, I spotted Jock and three security guards.

“Really?” I eased out of Lachlan’s arms. “You didn’t need to bring your men. The police are on their—”

I was interrupted by the kick of gravel and blue-and-red flashing lights dancing across the dark end of the trailer park. They parked up behind the Range Rover and we waited as the officers approached.

After introductions, I stood inside the trailer with the two police officers, Mac, and Lachlan. A fresh tea towel filled with ice pressed to my cheek, I told them what happened, hearing my father’s and Lachlan’s indrawn breath as I described the fight.

The police took my statement and promised the detective inspectors working on Mac’s case would be in touch to interview me. The officers asked me if I required an ambulance, as had the phone operator, but I shook my head. My face had gotten the worst of it, and I’d have a nasty shiner for a few days, but it would heal. Physically I was fine.

My attacker wasn’t, so there was hope he would go to the hospital. The officers promised to put out an alert to the local hospitals for a man seeking medical attention for an injury matching the one I’d given him. They bagged up the bloody push dagger and kitchen knife and took those with them, much to my annoyance. My attacker wore leather gloves, but there was always a chance there could be prints on the dagger, and I’d wanted Mac’s forensic lady to run prints first. Moreover, this was the first time we had DNA. I hadn’t considered that when I’d called the cops.

When the police left, silence reigned in the trailer.

Lachlan opened his mouth to speak, but I beat him to it.

“This isn’t the first time,” I confessed.

“What isn’t?” Mac asked.

I knew they would be mad at me for withholding information, but it was better they had the whole truth now. After all, I would have to tell the detective inspectors when they came around to interview me. “Lachlan and I were caught … kissing outside his office by Sarah McCulloch and Agnes. That night I came home and found the trailer trashed and all my evidence for the case ripped to shreds. They left a threatening note.”

The men lambasted me before I even finished saying the word note, their questions and lectures rightfully incensed. But I’d already had a shitty night, my head was pounding, and I needed quiet. I raised my hands and yelled at them to shut up.

To my gratification, they both closed their mouths.

“The message said, ‘Kiss what’s mine and I’ll kill what’s yours.’”

“Fuck,” Lachlan bit out.

“Why didn’t you say anything?” Mac was not only furious but I could tell he was disappointed, and his injured expression informed me he was also hurt.

Guilt churned in my gut. “I assumed the message was a threat against you. No one could get to you at the castle, so you were safe, but I knew you would both tell me to back off the case. Maybe even ask me to leave. And before you suggest I do either of those things, I think I know who’s doing all this.”

They leaned subconsciously toward me.

“This morning I went to talk to McCulloch. The fact that Sarah saw us”—I gestured vaguely to Lachlan, not wanting to keep bringing up the physical aspects of our affair in front of Mac—“you know … it got me suspicious about them again. It niggled at me. She’s always hovering in the background. And McCulloch’s history with Lachlan’s father is clear motive. So I went out to the farm today.”

I winced as they threw another round of agitated questions and curses at me.

This time I waited for them to calm themselves before I continued.

“Did you know McCulloch’s grandson Jared is working the farm?”

They exchanged looks and shook their heads. “As far as I’m aware,” Lachlan replied, “Jared is his daughter’s son. His daughter lives in the Lowlands. They aren’t close, and I’ve never seen a grandson around Ardnoch.”

“Well, he’s here now.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “Jared fits the description of Mac’s attacker, as did my attacker. And his eyes …” I explained about their brilliant green. “Easy to identify a criminal in a small village with eyes that color.”

“Jesus Christ.” Mac ran a hand through his hair. “I honestly never thought for a second it was him behind this. And to pull in his grandchildren to help?”

“We have no evidence of this,” Lachlan reminded us. “And as enraged as I am right now, I won’t go around accusing a man who has already been hurt by my family.”

“I won’t either,” I promised him. “Not until I have concrete evidence.”

“McCulloch isn’t a stupid man,” Lachlan mused. “Why send someone to attack you the very same day you paid him a visit about the investigation?”