The Highlander's Hope(68)

“Very well—let her take the lead. But try anything and I’ll put a bullet through ye. Are we clear?”

“Aye. We are.” Iain turned away from MacTavish and gave her a small nod to tell her to continue on her way. “Be careful, love. It’ll get steeper just before the entrance.”

With the rain refusing to let up, Cat worked her way up the muddy slope, more often than not on all fours, grasping at whatever she could for a secure hold. She was nearly there. Pushing past the branches that partially obscured the opening from view, she pulled herself in. It seemed like too good an opportunity to pass up, when Iain would make it into the dark tunnel before MacTavish. She looked around for a branch to use as weapon, but there was little to be found.

Iain scrambled in and rushed to her side. “Get as far back as you can. Go!”

“But—”

“Don’t argue with me. Go, Cat. Now.”

She did as he asked, her pulse thundering as the adrenaline and fear kicked in. Yet why was it she suddenly wanted to tell him everything she’d kept bottled up inside? Why was it she desperately wanted to tell him that she loved him?

MacTavish started to climb into the tunnel when Iain tackled him, grabbing for the gun as a shot ricocheted off the rock wall, deafening in the small space. Cat held her breath as they struggled, each lurch driving them closer to the edge. Iain pounded MacTavish’s hand against the rock face, knocking the gun away. Getting free of MacTavish’s hold, Iain pushed him towards the edge, but the old man was still quick and strong, and before he went over the steep drop, he grabbed Iain.

And they were gone.

Panic sucked the breath from her lungs as she rushed over, hoping there was something there to break Iain’s fall. A cry escaped her lips, not wanting to believe what she saw. He looked broken and mangled, his leg impaled on a broken branch. Slipping her way down the hill while grabbing at branches to slow her descent, she scooted towards them as fast as she could, hoping Iain was still alive. MacTavish seemed to have broken some of Iain’s fall, catching the brunt of the injuries from the rocks below.

“Iain. Talk to me.” She touched his cheek, hoping he’d come to. She glanced at his leg, wondering if she should remove the branch sticking through his leg, but worried she might cause the bleeding to increase. “Iain, please.”

He was breathing. That was something, but she wasn’t sure of what internal injuries he may have sustained. She tried her cell phone, but there was no reception.

“Cat…”

Relief flooded over her. “Bloody hell, Iain. You shouldn’t have done it. Damn the necklace. You could have been killed.”

“MacTavish?” His face tightened with pain as he tried to turn towards the reason they were in this mess.

She shifted over and checked the man’s pulse, before taking a closer look. “I think he’s dead. I’m afraid his head hit a rock. Your leg…”

“Best if we leave it. Call Angus. I don’t want him stumbling onto the group at the house.” He coughed and wheezed, making her heart lurch with worry.

“I have no reception. Maybe if I head back towards the house.” The thought of leaving him in the condition he was in had her stomach knots.

“Call him and then call the police.” He reached up to touch her face. “Don’t look so worried, love. I’ll manage.”

“Damn it, Iain. I love you.”

“Aye, lass. I know—and I love you also. With all my heart.” He coughed, the sound of it wet and rattling in his lungs. “Go, love. I’ll manage ‘til ye get back. And once you do, I hope ye know I’ll be marrying you.”

She blinked back her tears and kissed him. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

***

Cat watched as Iain was taken away on a stretcher and loaded into the ambulance. She had desperately wanted to go with him, but there was no room in the vehicle and the police still needed to speak to her. They’d already arrested the men who’d come with MacTavish, but there was still James and Malcolm to deal with. Malcolm might get off easy, depending on his involvement. But James? Well, he’d messed with the wrong girl for the last time.

Once inside, Cat answered their questions as best she could, itching to get to Iain’s side. The cop she was dealing with was the same one who’d taken a statement from them after MacTavish first showed up, so he already knew of their previous troubles.

“I’ll call when I have more information. I’m afraid I’ll need you to stay in town until this is sorted.” He got to his feet and flipped closed his notebook.

“There’s one more thing.” She went into the library, grabbed her laptop, and handed it to the police. “I’m sure you’ll find the evidence you need. James may not have had anything to do with the men that were here, but he did hack into my computer with the purpose of stealing my research.”