Chapter 14
CHAPTER 14
A fter Danielle had regained her stability from reeling from the kiss Graeme had placed on her lips, she got to work.
First, she poured a glass of water. She wanted to perk up since she had enjoyed a lot of tea with Eva in their chamber. She wished she had an energy drink or strong coffee to wake her up more.
She opened the drawer to the night table and found some parchment and a quill with ink, and then sat at the table to write out what she wanted to say to Maria. She knew that even though Maria was busy with castle duties, she always made time for the women of the castle to visit. Danielle just had to time it for when she was alone.
Danielle also wanted to talk to Sarah and see if she'd be willing to help. She had been a private investigator, so this was right up her alley. Daniell just needed to figure out how to ask, especially since they were both wary of her, and of Graeme and Danny.
She poked her head out into the hall to look for Dorine or one of the other housemaids. "Excuse me, could you possibly answer a question?" she asked of one of the maids who was heading down the hall with a basket of linens.
"Who? Me, my Lady?"
Danielle nodded. "Yes, please, if you would."
"Of course, my Lady. What can I do for you?"
"Would you happen to know where Lady Maria is right now?"
The tiny girl's eyes widened. "No, my Lady. I am usually down in the kitchens; I was just bringing up the linens for Dorine. Though I do know that Lady Maria takes tea in her quarters at half past the three o'clock hour if that helps?"
"It does. Thank you so much, ummmm..."
"Anna, my Lady."
"Thank you, Anna."
Anna scurried down the hall as Danielle returned to her room. She paced for a few minutes as she decided the best course of action was to speak with Sarah first. With that in mind, she left her room and went up to the next floor and down the corridor to knock on her door. She wasn't sure Sarah would be in her room, but she hoped to catch her there. Unfortunately, there was no answer. Sighing, Danielle turned to head back down the hallway to the stairs, where she ran into Maria.
"Oh, you are just the woman I wanted to see," Danielle said with a smile.
"What's up?" Maria asked. "I was heading to my room for tea; want to join me?"
"I’d love to. You know, I didn't know taking tea in the afternoon was a Scottish thing."
Maria shrugged. "I don't think it is, but I enjoy it, so Heigl indulges me."
Danielle nodded.
"So, what did you want to see me about?"
Danielle bit her lip and hedged. "You might want to sit with your tea first before I ask you."
"That bad, hmmm?" Maria smirked. "Okay, come on." She led the way to her room, opened the door, and said, "Heigl, you are a Godsend. Thank you."
"My pleasure, my Lady." Heigl had just finished arranging the tea. "I brought some of my shortbread, too. We'll be having it after dinner as well."
"Lovely. Thank you."
Heigl nodded and left Maria's quarters.
Danielle and Maria sat, and Maria poured them each a cup and sliced the shortbread, offering a piece to Danielle. "It’s delicious," Danielle commented.
"It is," Maria agreed as she sipped her tea. "All right, what's on your mind?"
"Hear me out before you say anything, okay?"
"Sure." Maria nodded.
"Right. So, we know there is a thief at the castle, and apparently, the Guard, your husband, and the Captain of the Guard think the thief is Danny or Graeme. I know they are innocent, so I’d like permission and hopefully your cooperation to find the real thief and prove Danny isn’t stealing these things."
Maria sipped her tea, silently taking in what Danielle had to say. It made Danielle nervous as she waited for the other woman to say something.
"What do you think?" Danielle finally added.
"Well, considering your background and the fact that you've worked with any number of criminals, I supposed you'd know a guilty one. You are aware of their past, right? They harassed our villagers and farmers for months. You know that, don't you?"
"I do. Graeme told me a great deal about his past. I also know that he tried to keep Danny out of it as much as possible, but his father would beat the shit out of the two of them if they didn't do as he asked."
"I didn't know about that part, but I know their father died nearly four years ago, so my first statement still stands. As bandits, Graeme and Danny were part of the group that harassed our people. Graeme especially. So yes, a grudge still stands."
"I know Graeme did his best to keep the others from harming anyone, and he didn't like what he was doing to people, but there were some complications within his—what do you call a group of bandits? A gang?—whatever. Anyway, there was a man who pushed for more violence, and Graeme couldn't abandon them to that kind of leadership."
"I know. Eva told us about that."
"Then you know Graeme set them up with a new leader and made them leave Scotland before returning to offer to help guard the Keep and the people."
"Yeah, I know. You have to understand, though, it's slow progress here, getting people to change their ways. Graeme and Danny are on our side now, but months ago, they weren't. You have no idea what they put our Guard through. So, to have them here is causing a bit of friction. They don't trust them, and frankly, I don't really, either."
Danielle sighed. "Look, I get it. You're a cop. They were involved in criminal activities, and that rankles you. I understand. It doesn't change the fact that they aren't behind these thefts."
"Maybe as a defense attorney, you just think all criminals are innocent?" Maria suggested.
"No. Ninety percent of the people I defended were one thousand percent guilty. It was still my job to represent them to the best of my ability. And I was very, very good at my job." Danielle sighed. "This isn't me being emotionally involved. I know you think it is because I have a thing for Graeme. But it's not that I want him or Danny to be innocent, it's that I know they are."
"Okay, tell me how you know. What makes you so sure they aren't behind this?"
" Danny's room was searched. Your husband and the Captain questioned him, and I am told he answered honestly and without hesitation. If I am not mistaken, that came directly from your husband."
"Yes, I am aware he said that." Maria nodded, looking more thoughtful.
"Danny was questioned about when or if he left the castle grounds. He hasn't unless he was on patrol. All of Graeme’s free time lately is spent teaching me to ride."
"I've seen him." Maria smiled.
"So, if Danny isn't hoarding the things in his room, the castle has been searched, and the items aren't stashed anywhere on the grounds, he can't be the thief. It has to be someone who can slip by people unnoticed, so we know it's not Graeme because there is no way that man can ‘slip’ anywhere. On top of that, the two of them have the Guard, the staff, and every person in this place watching them, and the thefts are still happening."
"All very valid points, and I have to agree with you."
"You do?"
"Yes. I'm in."
"You are?" Danielle gasped in surprise.
"Yes. You'll have to clear it with Cameron first. He gets a bit touchy when I put myself in danger, so if you can convince him that conducting an investigation is worth it, I will help."
"Awesome! Finlay will talk to him if that's all right. I know he’ll probably have more luck than I will."
Maria grinned. "Hey, look at you, figuring out how things work here." She laughed. "That’s a good idea. Finlay knows Graeme and Danny best, and having him present the idea of us investigating is the best option. Sarah would probably be an asset as well; have you spoken to her?"
"No, I went to talk to her, but she wasn't in her room."
"Don't worry about it. If Cam says yes, I'll talk to her for us."
"Great. Thanks, Maria."
"Don't thank me yet: Cam still has to agree."
Danielle left Maria's a few minutes later and headed to Eva and Finlay's room. She knocked on the door, and when Eva opened it, she couldn't stop the grin that spread across her lips.
"Let me guess, Maria said yes?"
Danielle nodded. "She said we have to talk to the Laird first, but yes, she's in as long as he agrees."
"Finlay!" Eva called out.
Finlay came out of one of the back rooms and said, "What is it?"
"Maria said she's in if the Laird agrees. Will you speak with him?"
Finlay nodded. "Aye, after dinner. I do not like the fact that some of the Guard have been harassing Danny, and Graeme, to a lesser extent. It's not right. We are all on the same side."
"I don't either. But Maria explained that Danny, Graeme, and their bandit buddies were harassing and robbing people around here for months before they came here, so I can't blame the Guardsmen if they’re a bit peeved to have to work alongside them now."
"Aye, it is complicated."
"It still doesn't give them the right to accuse them without proof."
Later that evening, Finlay stood in front of the Laird and put the proposition before him.
“If Danny is scapegoated for someone else's crimes, the real thief will never be caught, and the thefts will continue,” Finlay said.
“That is true, I am just not sure if this investigation will turn up any thief,” Cameron said. “I will agree to it, as long as it is not spoken of publicly. Let Danielle, Sarah, and Maria question the staff who have noticed things going missing and look about the areas most likely for the thief to use. Putting yourself on the line to defend Graeme and Danny will not be received well if they are the thieves, Finlay. Are you sure you wish to risk your neck?”
“I know they are innocent, my Laird, so aye, I am willing,” Finlay replied.
Then it is settled. I will have my wife report to me on the progress, and we'll see how this plays out. Remember, we want to keep this investigation quiet. I do not want to hear talk of it among the staff or Guard. You know they will not take the ladies usurping their duties lightly,” the Laird said.
“You are right, my Laird. We will keep it from being discovered,” Finlay said with a nod and then left. He walked quickly back to his quarters, where Eva, Danielle, and Graeme waited.
“Well? What’s the verdict?” Eva said. "Don't hold us in suspense, Finlay!"
Finlay smiled. “The Laird has granted permission to proceed with the investigation as long as it is kept quiet. He understands that after speaking to and questioning the staff, rumors will prevail, and people will talk. Tongues always wag, but let us not inflate it by making it official.”
“That is great news,” Danielle said, hopping up from her seat with enthusiasm.
“Just remember to keep things quiet,” Finlay said.
“I can do that. I was a lawyer; keeping secrets was part of the job,” Danielle said.
“So that's it, Danny and I shall stay until we see the results of this process,” Graeme said, looking at Danielle.
“Yes, that was the agreement, and I expect you to hold to it,” Danielle said, wagging her finger playfully at Graeme.
“Then I shall, lass.”
“Well then, I guess I should inform Maria so we can get started. The longer we wait, the colder the case gets." Danielle clapped her hands and looked ready to go.
"I am sure it can wait until tomorrow, Danielle."
"I suppose you're right. It is kind of late, isn't it." She sighed. "Well, thank you both for your help."
"It was my pleasure," Finlay replied. He was glad that Eva wasn't interested in participating. She needed to take it easy with the baby coming, and he feared she would get it into her head to be a part of it.
"I should probably go, I'm sure you want to seek your beds. Thanks again." Danielle turned for the door.
“I shall escort you to your room, lass,” Graeme said.
“Thank you. That would be nice,” Danielle replied.
Finlay exchanged a look with Eva, knowing that Graeme and Danielle were becoming quite close. It was obvious to anyone who watched them.
When Danielle and Graeme arrived at her door, she puckered her lips, but Graeme didn't kiss her. Instead, he stood stiffly by her side.
"What's wrong? Why aren't you kissing me?"
"I'm sorry, lass. I was thinking of Danny and this investigation of yours. I do not wish to see you in any danger."
"Graeme, this is what I do, or rather what I did , back in the future. I dug into things, found and questioned witnesses, and inspected evidence. I know what I'm doing, Graeme, and it feels good to be doing it here for you and Danny. I know he's innocent."
Graeme pulled her into his arms. "I still worry." He smiled.
Danielle laid her hand on his chest and looked into his bright green eyes. "I'll be fine."
"Okay, lass." He leaned down and placed his lips against hers in a soft caress that turned just a little heated before he broke it off. "I'd better go," he said softly.
Danielle sighed and watched him stride down the hallway. One of these days, she wasn't going to let him leave, and that was a promise.