Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
L ogan insisted on rustling up some cheese on toast for the three of us for brunch, before we set off in his truck for Portree Library.
It was a bright and inviting white building, its windows pasted with announcements about everything from local coffee mornings to raise money for charity, to car boot sales.
Inside, there were polished pine tables and banks of computer terminals at every turn.
Cases of books ran this way and that.
I couldn’t help but notice Campbell’s purposeful stride. Even his shaved jaw carried an air of renewed determination.
There was a reception desk, upon which were stacked a few piles of books, waiting to be logged back into the library system, and behind the desk was a tall, rangy man with his back to us.
He grunted at something under his breath, then turned and delivered a welcoming smile. ‘Good afternoon, folks. How can I help?’
‘Gabriel Jamieson?’ asked Logan.
The man, who I estimated to be in his early sixties, nodded his head of swept-back, thinning, salt-and-pepper hair. ‘That’s me.’
From behind me, Campbell stepped out. As soon as Gabriel Jamieson caught sight of him, his lips parted in a shocked ‘O’ shape. ‘Campbell Adams? What the hell are you doing back here? Long time no see.’
When Campbell smiled but didn’t offer an explanation, Gabriel blinked at me and Logan for a few more seconds. ‘What’s this? What’s it about?’
I looked over my shoulder. There was a woman tapping away at one of the computers and making notes. Her fingers temporarily stilled above the keys as she watched us, then she resumed what she was doing.
‘How are you, Gabriel?’ asked Campbell.
Gabriel Jamieson set both his hands on the edge of the reception desk and his Adam’s apple gave a few random bobs up and down. ‘This is a shock. I didn’t know you’d come back.’
Campbell delivered a slow smile. ‘Aye, it’s been a while.’ He paused for effect. ‘I wondered if we could ask for your help.’
‘Help with what?’ His tone was defensive.
‘Someone left a letter for me.’ Campbell slid it out of his coat pocket and handed it over to the stunned Gabriel.
He eyed Logan, me and the envelope.
‘Oh, sorry,’ apologised Campbell. ‘I should’ve made introductions. These young people are Darcie Freeman and Logan Burns. They’ve kindly agreed to help me in my search.’
Gabriel’s fingers settled on the envelope. ‘Search for what?’
‘The Skye Lovers’ Cross.’
Gabriel let out a dry bark of laughter, before seeming to remember where he was. He coughed and dropped his voice. ‘You’re not still looking for that thing?’
Campbell kept his cool attention trained on Gabriel. ‘There’s been a development.’ He indicated the envelope with a nod of his head. ‘You might want to have a read of this.’
Gabriel’s thin brows lowered and he shot the three of us an unfathomable look before slipping the letter out and reading it.
His mouth morphed into a strange shape when he finished. ‘Who wrote this? Where did you get it?’
‘I’ve no idea who wrote it. They didn’t sign it, as you can see. And it was left at the guest house where I’m staying.’
Gabriel looked like he wanted to throw a torrent of questions at Campbell, but Campbell continued before he could. ‘They specifically mention you.’
‘Aye, I can read,’ the librarian spit back, his irritation clear.
I flicked Logan a look. He raised his brows.
Gabriel folded the letter again and stuffed it back into the envelope with little care. He pushed it back over the counter towards Campbell. ‘Sorry, but I can’t help. Whoever wrote this is pulling your leg.’
‘But…’
Gabriel ignored Campbell. ‘I’ve no idea who this idiot is that mentioned me. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to get on with my work. We’re very busy.’
The three of us lingered under the strips of pale lighting, but Gabriel turned his back and returned his attention to the stack of books on the table in front of him.
‘Come on,’ urged Campbell, once he realised Gabriel had no intention of speaking to us. He swiped a frustrated hand over the top of his unruly hair. ‘No point in hanging around here.’
The woman in the corner watched us leave and I gave her a fleeting smile, but she didn’t return it. Instead, she fired a brief glance in Gabriel’s direction before turning back to the computer and dropping her head.
Charming!
I thought everyone around here was supposed to be welcoming!
We stepped back out onto the pavement, blinking in the bright light.
‘That went well,’ I said.
‘He’s lying,’ ground out Campbell. ‘It was written all over that devious face of his.’
‘But why?’ asked Logan. ‘What’s he hiding?’
Behind me came a small but sudden cough.
The three of us whirled round in unison to see the slight, blonde woman who’d been working at one of the computer terminals inside the library.
‘I’m sorry,’ she said in a rush. ‘I couldn’t help but overhear just now.’ She took a few tentative steps forwards. ‘Campbell Adams?’
Campbell squinted at her. ‘Yes?’
Her corn blue eyes shone and a sudden blush of self-conscious colour shot up her neck as she stared at him a little too long. ‘I think I might be able to help you.’