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Chapter 27

Phinneas' car was gone in the morning. Sin pulled out of the close in the car he had rented and headed toward the M90. The night still weighed heavy on his heart, and there were things he needed to discuss with Alex that he was sure would not be pleasant. He glanced over at Charlie as she stared out the window toward the bridges cloaked in the misty sea haar. She assured him she was all right this morning, but he knew better. He had looked into Sokolov's eyes last night and saw the evil that lived inside him. It was personal between them now, and the scars Sokolov carved on Charlotte had also been carved into his heart. He would have his day with Sokolov but it wasn't now. Now he needed to take care of Charlotte. He pulled off before they got to Queensferry Crossing and drove to his mum's house.

"Will you come in with me?" he asked.

She nodded.

Bobby answered the door and led them to the sitting room. Charlie hung back in the hallway while he went in.

His mum smiled when she saw him. "Sinclair," she said, raising the head of the hospital bed.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, sitting next to her.

"Better today."

"That's good news." He took her hand gently in his. It was nothing more than skin and bones. "I need to tell you something, Mum."

"What is it?"

"I'll be going away for a while."

"Are you in trouble, Sinclair?" she asked, concerned.

"No." He touched her cheek. "No, it's nothing like that. I need to take care of my wife."

"Wife?" she questioned, but a smile formed on her face. "Is it the pretty lass with the selkie eyes?"

"Aye, the pretty lass." He looked over his shoulder. "Charlotte, come here, darling."

Charlie stepped into the room.

"Come here so I can look at you," his mum said.

She came forward and Sin put his arm around her, afraid she was going to turn and run.

"This was fate," Margie said, her clear green eyes sparkling. Sin hadn't seen her this happy in a while.

"I'm afraid it was neither of our choice." Charlotte gave her a sad smile.

"All the more reason to call it fate, child." She reached into a drawer on the table next to her, pulling out a box. She handed it to Charlotte.

"What is it?"

"A gift for my new daughter."

Charlotte opened the box. It was a necklace with a sea glass and freshwater pearl pendant. "It's beautiful, but I can't accept it."

"Of course, you can. Sin found the glass and pearl in the cove at the cottage when he was a boy. You're his wife, so you should wear it."

"But—"

"She's right," Sin said, taking it from her hand and fastening it around her neck. "You should wear it."

"Thank you," Charlie said.

"You'll be taking her to the cottage then?" Margie asked.

"Aye."