Page 24

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

TWO DAYS LATER

H i, Dad!” Michael ran out of the main testing hall and gave Joe a quick hug. “You’re right on time. I just finished my last final. I’ll run back to the residence hall and get my computer and suitcase. Are Jane and Caleb already at the airport?”

“You bet they are,” Joe said. “Jane called me while I was on the way here and told me that I should get you to Caleb’s plane as quick as I could.

She needs you to distract Cira while she finishes that portrait she’s doing to give to Eve when we get to the Lake Cottage.

She said Caleb’s busy filing the flight plan, and the baby is so restless she won’t stay still. ”

“But Cira’s okay?” Michael frowned over his shoulder as he reached the steps of the residence. “They’re both okay?”

“Fine as can be. Cira may be a little too energetic for Jane at the moment. You seem to be the only one who’s able to keep that little girl occupied for any length of time.”

“It’s because I’m her big brother.” Michael grinned mischievously. “Maybe she knows that I’ve been through all the things she’s going through now, so I can give her tips on how to handle all of them.”

His dad gave a mock groan. “That’s all we need—two of you to contend with.”

Michael’s grin faded. “I told Mom that I thought Cira was worried about something. Maybe about Jane. But you said Jane is fine.”

“And she is,” Joe said. “Now stop borrowing trouble. If there’s any problem, we’ll manage it. Enjoy this vacation, and we’ll see if we can’t talk your mom into coming back with us when it’s over. I’m tired of being without her, aren’t you?”

“Yeah,” Michael said gruffly. “Nothing’s quite the same. I know what you’re doing is important, but she’s… Mom. We need to be close so that we can take care of her.”

“My thoughts exactly,” Joe said. “Though we both are going to have a tough time convincing your mom she needs taking care of. But we’ll worry about that later now that we’re on the same page.

Go pick up your computer and other belongings.

I’ll pull the car around in front so that I can pick you up.

Let’s get to the airport so Cira won’t drive Jane crazy. ”

“I’ll be right out.” Michael took the stone steps two at a time and then disappeared through the tall front doors of the residence hall.

Joe pulled the car over into a parking spot and turned off the engine.

The lot was mostly empty, and the usual number of students weren’t sitting outside on the steps studying and chattering.

They were all probably going home for school break, like Michael.

It was a fine school, and Michael had made the most of his time here.

It would be good if he could continue to attend, but if that wasn’t in the cards then he would adjust as he always did and come out on top. Because that was Michael.

Joe leaned back in his seat and started to wait.

Ten minutes passed.

Fifteen minutes.

Something might be wrong. Michael was super efficient. He would have had his bags packed and ready to grab when he ran back from the testing hall.

Another five minutes passed.

No Michael.

Joe was out of the car and running up the entrance steps and down the hall toward Michael’s dorm room. “Michael!” He flung open the door. Michael’s neatly packed suitcases were lying tossed on the bed.

No computer case.

But there was something else…

Just inside the bathroom door…

Blood!

“Caleb? It’s Joe. Something’s happened. I need you to come out to Michael’s school right away. Will you do it?”

“Of course I’ll do it,” Caleb said. “Why wouldn’t I? But what the hell’s wrong? We’ve been waiting for you and Michael. Jane just asked about you again. Is Michael having trouble getting out of school? You said he had to finish his last final.”

“And he finished it,” Joe said hoarsely. “Then he ran back to his quarters to get his computer and suitcases. But that was over half an hour ago, and when I went to pick him up, he’d disappeared.”

“Is this some kind of joke?” Caleb was swearing softly beneath his breath. “It’s not funny. What am I supposed to tell Jane? She’s nuts about the kid.”

“Do you think I don’t know that? No, it’s not a joke.

” He paused. “There was blood, Caleb. Not much. Just a thin rivulet on the floor in the bathroom. But how am I supposed to tell Eve that our son is missing when I saw that damn blood?” He took a harsh breath.

“But I don’t have time to talk to you any longer.

I’ve just called security and they’re forming a group to see if we can locate Michael on campus.

Before they get here, I need to search Michael’s room to see what I can find.

Though I don’t have much hope. We both know Michael isn’t the kind of kid to just decide to run away on a jaunt with one of his buddies when we had plans.

Call me when you get here. I hope to God I’ve found him by then.

I’m not going to call Eve until I have something definite to tell her. ”

He cut the connection.

He looked around the room. Search. Clear your head and see if there’s any hint of what could have happened to Michael in the short time that he was here before he got whisked away.

Joe had no doubt that was what had happened.

He trusted Michael would not have left this building on his own.

And that meant Michael had been taken for a reason—and one that almost certainly had to do with the fact that he was Joe and Eve’s son.

Joe was involved in the distribution of a lifesaving medical miracle that was often targeted by criminals.

Eve was even now being protected because of her status as a premier forensic sculptor.

Hell, even Caleb and Jane might be targets, because of all the enemies Caleb had gained as a top MI6 agent.

Okay. No doubt that it had been a crime.

Now he had to try to forget that it had been Michael who was the victim.

Smother the rage and the panic. Treat it as if a stranger had been taken. Find out why and when.

Find a motive and a clue. He blocked out everything but the purpose that he had to cling to at all costs. He started to carefully, methodically, go through Michael’s things to find that clue.

Joe received a call from Caleb forty-five minutes later when Caleb’s helicopter landed on the heliport by the executive offices of the administration building. “We’re here,” he said curtly. “Any sign of Michael?”

“Not a word. We’re still searching. We’re in the hill country on the other side of the lake. I called Jessup with Scotland Yard, and he’s on his way with a team. Did you tell Jane?”

“Of course he did,” Jane answered for herself.

“Do you think I’d let him come without me?

It’s Michael, for God’s sake. I put Cira in her chair and brought her with us,” she said shakily.

“I think she knows something’s very wrong.

She keeps holding my hand and won’t let it go.

And she keeps calling for Mikey.” She swallowed, hard.

“I know I won’t be able to go on the hunt with you.

But give me something else to do. Anything, Joe. ”

“Be careful what you wish for,” Joe said. “I haven’t told Eve yet. But there’s no way I’d ask that of you.”

“You wouldn’t have to ask. We all have to do our part.

It might be easier for Eve if I tell her when she can see Cira at the same time.

” She shook her head. “No, nothing can make it easier. But we can share it.” She turned to Caleb and gave him a quick kiss.

“I’ll see you later. Now go find Michael.

” She got out of the helicopter and took Cira toward the administration building.

“Be sure to call me when you find out anything.”

He didn’t answer as he headed off the tarmac in the direction of the lake.

“No sign of him,” Joe said curtly as he came to meet Caleb coming down the hill.

“We found two farmers who’ve been here most of the day, but they didn’t notice anything unusual.

One of them thought he’d heard a helicopter about the time Michael disappeared.

But he didn’t see anyone or anything near here. ”

Caleb frowned. “But when I flew over this lake and fields, I was low enough to scan the entire area. There were quite a few places where a helicopter could have landed and not been seen from the school. Probably the most likely place would be on that field on the far side of the lake. Have you checked it yet?”

“Not yet.” He gestured to the security team and the student volunteers and then started off at a fast trot toward the heather field Caleb had indicated. “But we will now. Cross your fingers…”

Caleb didn’t answer. He’d already streaked past Joe into the field, brushing aside the heather to examine the ground. “Signs of a landing,” he called out. “Check out the entire area.”

Joe was already carefully making his way through the heather. He waved the security teams aside as he carefully examined the ground for clues. “Keep them away until we can get a closer look.”

Joe and Caleb each took a separate section of the field and moved through it carefully, stopping now and then to examine their entire surroundings.