Part 21 (1/2)
”Where on earth is Toni?” David fretted, setting down a plate of broccoli, then running his fingers absently through his dark hair.
”On her way, I'm certain,” Bruce a.s.sured him.
”I think we'll really have to start without her,” Gina murmured. ”It will all grow cold.”
”I think I should go up,” David said.
Kevin set a hand on his arm and nodded. ”You should.”
”They'll just take longer, chatting up there together,” Thayer warned as David started out.
”David is very dear to her,” Gina said, finis.h.i.+ng with the last gla.s.s, surveying the table, seeming pleased. ”If she's at all upset.. .well, David is close to her.”
”We're all close to her!” Ryan protested, staring at his wife.
”Yes, dear. But David and she...just let David handle it,” Gina said. ”Inspector Chamberlain, we're so pleased that you could stay!” she added, smiling at Robert as he walked in.
”Not to mention, grateful for your help,” Ryan said. ”Especially when the fact that we've been fleeced can hardly mean much in comparison to the plethora of bodies to be found about.”
”Aplethora! Ryan!” Gina said, horrified by his choice of words.
”I'm sorry. I mean, bodies...in the forest. Ancient, new.... Sorry!” Ryan said again.
Robert waved a hand in the air. ”Actually, I won't be handling your problem myself--we have people who specialize in computer fraud and international crime. And you needn't be grateful to me in any capacity. Enforcing the law is my work, in no matter what capacity. We'll get your case into the right hands, which, admittedly, are not my own. The supper smells delicious.”
”Thank you!” Kevin said, beaming.
”Actually, he's the meat wizard,” Ryan protested. ”Potatoes and broccoli are creations perfected by my lovely wife,” Ryan informed him.
”To everyone involved in the effort, it looks--and smells--quite divine,” Robert said. He flashed a glance at Bruce, indicating that he considered his household of Americans quite an amus.e.m.e.nt.
”Robert, we put you here, opposite the laird of the castle!” Gina said, trying for a light note.
The group a.s.sembled, minus David and Toni for the time being. Kevin cleared his throat. ”Shall we say grace?” he asked, looking at Thayer for guidance.
Thayer offered an amused smile. ”If you wish.”
”Um.. .sure,” Ryan murmured. He lowered his head, but his eyes were open as he looked around.
They were a fairly spiritual group, Bruce thought, decent folk, but not necessarily the ones in the front of the church every Sunday morning. Like Thayer, he was slightly amused, and yet he admired the group for trying to gage me proper etiquette for a Scottish Sunday meal.
But no one spoke.
Kevin looked around, apparently a bit panicked, since it had been his idea.
”Um.. .is it proper for the laird of the castle to speak?” he inquired.
”I think it would be quite proper for the American cook,” Bruce said.
”Ah,” Kevin agreed. ”Okay. Dear Lord, thank you for this meal, for the generosity and kindness of our host and for the help of our host's friends. We're aware that there is famine and real tragedy in the world--like the poor old soul found in the forest this time, and those other girls--but please, oh, Lord, help us in our endeavors, as well. We really meant all the best. We love Scotland! We mean to help--”
”Amen!” Gina cut in firmly, glaring at Kevin.
Robert simply laughed out loud. ”A lovely grace, Kevin,” he said. ”But don't you have the same one in the States that we have here? Simply quicker. 'G.o.d is great, G.o.d is good, thank you G.o.d, for this food. Let's eat.'?”
Kevin flushed as the rest of them laughed.
”Let me pa.s.s the meat!” Gina said quickly.
Toni had just set the hair dryer down when she heard the knock at her door and David's voice. ”Toni?”
She opened the door. ”Hey, I'm sorry. I've taken too long, huh?”
”Kid, you can take all night if you want. I came up to make sure that you were all right. The concern about a hot meal doesn't really compare to the discovery of bones in the forest,” he a.s.sured her sympathetically.
”I keep saying this, though no one seems to believe me, but I'm all right,” she said. ”It's just...”
”Just what?” he asked gently.
She walked on into the room and sat on the side of the bed. He joined her, slipping an arm around her shoulders.
”Are you still envisioning a longhead Scotsman with a b.l.o.o.d.y sword?” he asked.
She shook her head quickly, but then flashed him a glance.
”David,” she murmured.
”Talk to me,” he said. ”That's why I'm here. Look, you're a good actress. You have everyone else convinced that you're relieved because it wasn't that missing girl, turned up dead. But I know you, and I know you're upset about those bones.”
”She's dead,” Toni murmured.
”What?”
She looked at his handsome, caring face and shook her head. ”Nothing.”
”Toni! Please, you know I never repeat a word you say to me.”
”But do I know that you won't have me committed to an asylum?” she asked.
”Never,” he a.s.sured her.
She inhaled deeply. ”David, I could have sworn that I saw Bruce go into the forest.”
David frowned. ”Toni, he did leave the castle very early.”
She nodded. ”So I've been told. And I know travel here can take some time, but still...”
”Did you ask Bruce?”
”He was in Edinburgh. With his friend.”