Chapter Thirty-Nine
Gretchen
I have no idea how I can contribute much to this conversation.
But I can't sit here twiddling my thumbs.
Maybe I lack military skills or a talent for doing dangerous stunts, but I do have a brain.
And it's time I put it to good use by interrogating the men before they have a chance to speak.
"You know, in my experience women are usually better at strategizing than men when it comes uncertain situations.
You guys should let me help you with the Dougal problem. Can't hurt, right?"
Kirk turns to his favorite one-lifted-brow strategy that seems to work on other people, male and female. But not with me. He knows that but goes for the checkmate anyway. "Gretchen, lass, this is a discussion for men."
"You didn't seriously go there, did you?
" I pucker my lips and squint at Kirk, giving him my best look of sarcastic disgust. "My job as a virtual assistant has given me loads of insight on various fields---everything from search engine optimization to cybersecurity and even body language analysis.
I know I'm not a trained operative, but I might have ideas you guys haven't considered. "
Kirk adopts a more casual pose with one ankle braced the opposite thigh. "Go on, then. You are a very clever lass, and maybe you could be helpful."
"Thank you, sweetie." I sit up straighter, folding my hands on my lap.
"My job has given me the opportunity to learn so many new things---like time management, communications, organization, creativity, batching, basic accounting, email management, adaptability, self-motivation, concentration, basic IT skills, attention to details, bookkeeping.
I also once organized an anti-vegan rally for a client. "
Rab studies me with something resembling respect tinged with confusion. Yeah, that's the classic alpha-male response to having no frigging idea what I'm talking about.
After a couple minutes, Rab nods appreciatively. "The lass has a good point. Fresh eyes often see what those of us too close to the situation miss. Might as well give her a chance."
Kirk opens his mouth as if he's about to protest. But then snaps his jaw shut. He knifes a hand through his hair and sighs. "Have it your way. What are your thoughts, Gretchen?"
I straighten my spine, abruptly aware of all those eyes trained on me.
No pressure or anything. "Well, first, what do we know about Dougal's operation?
Where the hub of his empire is. Where he lives.
I wonder if a full-castle assault is really the best choice, or if something subtler might work best."
Rab leans forward, his hands clasped together, elbows resting on his knees.
The intensity in his gaze reminds me of Kirk, but with more calculation behind it.
"Dougal's main operation is based at Cairntorran Manor.
It's an old estate about twenty-five miles from here, hidden among dense woodland.
He uses it as his headquarters, but he's got smaller outposts throughout the Highlands. "
I absorb the information but have no time to fully assimilate it for now. "And Kenny? Do we know for sure where they're keeping him?"
"Based on our intelligence," Rab continues, "the lad is indeed being held at Cairntorran. Likely in the cellar. It's been converted into what Dougal calls his 'negotiation room.'"
The way Rab's jaw tightens tells me exactly what kind of negotiations happen in that room.
"So, we're dealing with a heavily guarded manor house," I say as my mind races through potential scenarios. "How many men does he typically have on site?"
"Fifteen to twenty," Rab answers. "All armed, most with military or mercenary backgrounds. They rotate shifts, but there's always at least ten on active duty."
I worry my lip as I mull the options. "Those aren't great odds, even for special forces guys like you. And a frontal assault might put Kenny at risk."
Kirk raises one brow. "What are you suggesting, gràidh?"
"A diversion." My idea is forming as I speak. "Something to draw most of Dougal's men away from the manor, leaving a skeleton crew that would be easier to handle."
Archie perks up from his corner of the room. "Like what? Set fire to the woods?"
I shake my head. "No, Archie. I was thinking of a three-pronged approach involving code words, which could make it harder for Dougal's men to understand us if he manages to hack into our phones.
We should also turn off all Wi-Fi or over the air communications surrounding Cairntorran Manor. That might cause confusion."
Archie grins at me. "You are bloody amazing, Gretchen."
"Don't pat me on the back just yet. I don't have a full plan, after all."
Kirk smiles and shakes his head. "Maybe you don't have the entire plan, but all our skills combined might do the trick."
"You actually like my idea?"
"Oh aye, I'm fair certain you are the hidden genius among us."
Rab and Archie nod in unison.
My cheeks grow warm at their unified approval. It's strange having three men---especially three Scottish men, two of whom look like they could bench-press a Highland cow---treating my input with genuine respect.
"Okay, so if we're going with a diversion..." I tap my finger on my lip, thinking hard. "What about using Dougal's own business interests against him? Rab, you mentioned he's got tentacles everywhere. What's his most valuable operation besides kidnapping?"
"The whisky," Rab answers without hesitation. "He's been counterfeiting Thane Buchanan labels---particularly Sensual Secret and Dùndubhan Masterpiece. It's bringing in millions."
"Perfect." I rub my palms, getting more excited about this plan by the minute. "So, what if we spread word that one of his illicit whisky warehouses is being raided by competitors or law enforcement?"
"Or," Kirk interjects, "we could use Dougal's own greed against him."
"I'm listening."
"Archie has all the computer skills, aye?" Kirk taps his lips, clearly considering my suggestions. "What if we could find a way to create a devastating fake virus or some such thing, strictly as a distraction. Then Dougal might come out of hiding and expose himself."
I wrinkle my nose. "I hope you don't mean 'expose' in the sense of removing clothing."
"No, lass," Kirk says with a slight chuckle. "I meant exposing himself to risk. If we make him believe there's a critical threat to his operation, he might respond in person. Rich bastards like Dougal always think they're the only ones who can fix any crisis."
"That might work," I agree, warming to the idea. "Archie, could you create something convincing enough to draw Dougal out?"
"Oh aye." Archie's fingers are already dancing across his laptop keyboard.
"I could cook up a wee digital catastrophe that would have him sweating bullets.
Maybe a supposed security breach in his financial accounts or a threat to his supply chain.
I've already uncovered his network of casinos and weapons that are spread throughout the entire United Kingdom. "
"If I may," Rab interjects, leaning forward with newfound interest, "Dougal's most closely guarded secret is his new operation of counterfeit bank notes.
He's invested millions in specialized printing equipment hidden somewhere at Cairntorran.
If he thought that operation was compromised, he'd definitely come running. "
I study Rab, unable to tamp down my curiosity. "How do you know what kind of bank notes Dougal has? In America, we have dollars in several dominations, and treasury bonds too. But I'm curious about how you gained all that knowledge of UK money."
Rab's eyes dart to Kirk, then back to me with an appraising look. "I've spent years tracking criminal enterprises across Scotland and the entire UK. It's my job to know these things."
His answer feels rehearsed and a bit too smooth. There's something he's not telling me, but I decide to let it slide for now. Kenny's safety is more important than satisfying my curiosity about Rab's mysterious background.
"Okay, so we have our target," I say. "His counterfeit operation. But how do we make him believe it's compromised without tipping our hand?"
Kirk drums his fingers on his thigh. "What about creating a fake police raid? Archie could generate some chatter on the emergency frequencies."
"That might work," Rab agrees, "but Dougal has sources within law enforcement. He'd verify it too quickly."
I'm still uneasy with Rab, the way he's so cagey about the sources of his intel. I tap my fingers on my knee while gears begin to turn in my mind. "What about exploiting Dougal's ego instead? Most criminals with empires that size have massive egos."
"Aye, the lass has hit the nail on the head," Rab says. "Dougal's pride is his greatest weakness. He cannae stand being challenged or outsmarted."
"We could we do some kind of fake a police raid," I suggest, "or instead create the illusion that a rival crime boss is making a move on his territory. Specifically targeting his counterfeit operation?"
"That's a possibility," Kirk says. "Dougal's paranoid about rivals. Always has been."
"Who is his biggest competitor?" I ask, shifting my attention between Rab and Kirk. My curiosity finally gets the better of me, and I must speak up. "Rab, who the hell are you, really?"
He chuckles and glances my way. "Ye figured it out, I suspect."
"Are you...a spy?"
The door to the sitting room swings open, and a man saunters in, clicking the door shut after him. He leans against the wall, staring directly at me. "Rab and I both worked for MI6 at the same time in different capacities. So aye, lass, we were spies."
I blink several times quickly, still having trouble reconciling everything I've heard in this room. "Are you guys not spies anymore?"
The man shrugs with a nonchalance that unsettles me. "Not technically, not anymore."
"Who the heck are you?"
"Logan MacTaggart. And ahmno the only former covert agent in the Highlands."
I slump in my chair, deflated by all these revelations. But knowing we have men like Rab and Logan on our side gives me hope that we can defeat Dougal MacWraith.