“Bastard,” MacDuff muttered.
Jane smiled as she watched the two of them walk back up the incline. It warmed the heart to see a friendship that close. So different and yet forged of experiences and self-sacrifices that had almost melded them into one entity. She had known them both for years and considered them her friends, as well. And she had never lost her appreciation for who they were, both apart and together.
But she was glad that Jock had given her this short time apart from them. It was always a little overwhelming to come back here to Gaelkar after being away.
She turned and started back down toward the camp, her gaze on the deep blue lake. As usual, it took her breath away and drew her toward it. Loch Gaelkar was surrounded by rugged green mountains that plunged down to meet the glittering water on three sides. But the north bank was always blanketed by a heavy mist that swirled and shifted but never revealed what lay beyond.
It was the stuff of which legends were woven. The locals, who had lived with the lake all their lives, said that it was the place where creation either began or would be destroyed. Anyone who saw it found it mysterious and fascinating and even a little frightening. Jane could see why Cira had settled in this part of the Highlands when she had fled from Herculaneum. It had been a wild, challenging country where the strong could carve out an empire. Cira had never hesitated facing any challenge. She had been born a slave and fought her way from poverty to become a successful actress at the theater in Herculaneum. She’d been tough, sometimes ruthless, but honest when she could be. Life had been hard for her, but she’d kept her humanity when everyone around her had tried to use her. It was no surprise that she’d managed to triumph even over the devastation of the exploding volcano. The treasure chest with which she’d escaped after the eruption had been filled with gold and silver coins and one very special coin said to be the payment Judas was given to betray Christ. It would be worth billions in today’s market.
But there had been no record of what happened to the treasure chest after Cira had arrived in Scotland.
Jane had reached the bank and dropped to the ground and linked her arms about her knees as she gazed out at the mist.
Is your treasure really out there, Cira? If it’s not, why did I have that damn dream that hinted that it was? MacDuff is banking that you were trying to tell me something that could save the family you founded all those centuries ago. I’m not so sure. You were passionate about family, but you saw nothing shameful about struggle.
The sharp wind was blowing over the lake, stirring the mist, as it probably had when Cira had walked these banks. Sometimes Jane felt as if Cira was just beyond that mist and, if she stared hard enough, she would be able to catch a glimpse of her.
Crazy.
But most people would say that her dreams of Cira had been crazy from the beginning and this was no different.
Screw them.
She had her own doubts, but no one had a right to impose their opinions on her. If she didn’t find the treasure, then perhaps it would prove that she was a bit off-kilter. If the treasure was somewhere in that mist, then maybe the years of dreams and research had some kind of meaning.
She had to smile as she realized how defiant she was feeling at this moment. It reminded her of the defiance she’d portrayed in Lisa’s face in those sketches she’d done of her. It could be Joe was wrong about her not being as belligerent as that girl. Apparently, it only took the right subject to bring it to the forefront.
Two of a kind, Lisa?
She got to her feet and stood there looking out at the lake. “It’s good to be back,” she murmured. “I’ve missed you, Cira. Now please be cooperative with MacDuff about his lights. You’re driving him crazy with this darned mist.” She turned toward the tent area. “But I should tell you I’ve learned a greater appreciation for you after dealing with this Lisa who’s been plaguing me lately. I don’t know how she hijacked me, but if you have any influence, you could help her to clarify a bit.”
Of course there was no answer but the sound of the water lapping against the bank. She was just lucky Jock or MacDuff hadn’t heard that one-sided discourse with Cira, she thought ruefully. Jock would have teased her unmercifully and MacDuff would have used it to convince her that she was even more on board with this treasure hunt than she admitted.
Okay, she’d greeted Cira and this strange world of Gaelkar and now she was ready to go to work. For some reason, she always felt as if Cira was waiting for her to return when she left this place. Maybe MacDuff was right about her having a family connection with Cira. Not that she’d admit that to him. Eve and Joe were the only family she wanted or needed. Even thinking about them gave her a sense that all was right with her world. She turned and headed for her tent. Which reminded her that she had to call Eve after she took a shower and tell her she’d settled in again.…
CHAPTER
3
“Joe showed me the photo of that last sketch,” Eve said soberly when Jane connected with her a couple hours later. “Not good. He said that you were pretty upset.”
“Understatement. I don’t like feeling this helpless. Messages written in blood scare me. It’s like something from a horror movie.” She paused. “And I’m almost afraid of going to sleep and finding out what else Lisa has in store for me. But I’m more afraid of not knowing and then not being able to stop it.”
“I can see it. You certainly never had that kind of pressure when you were dreaming about Cira.”
“No.” She hesitated. “I believe Lisa may be trying to reach me in a way outside the sketches. When I was on the plane, I was thinking something akin to that comment you just made. I received a bolt of very impatient and uncomplimentary feedback regarding my comparing her to Cira.”
“Really? Intriguing.”
“Bizarre,” Jane substituted. “But I’ll take it if it means that I can get to the bottom of this any faster. I need to get her safe and take my life back.”
“Or at least your nights.”
It felt like more than that to Jane. She was noticing that every subject that came to her mind seemed to drift, swirl, like that mist on the lake, until it had some connection to Lisa. “Whatever. She’s definitely a distraction.” She changed the subject. “And speaking of distractions, how is Michael? After supper, I’m going to try to finish his sketch. It will be a relief to concentrate on something that has nothing to do with anything but hope and youth.”
“He’s fine. Are you going to give me that sketch?”
“I think you’ve lost out. I’m going to do it in oil. This time next year, you’ll get it.”
“Okay. You’ll probably do a dozen sketches of him between now and then anyway.” Eve paused. “I’ve been thinking I’d like to have one of him beside Cira’s lake.”
“What?”
“Just a thought. I spent so much time beside that lake when I was pregnant with Michael, and you were helping me to hide Cara away from the people who were hunting her down. I feel as if that lake is part of both of us.” She added quickly, “Never mind. As I said, just a thought. You said you’re going to start putting up those lights tomorrow?”
“So MacDuff said. It’s kind of a complicated installation and may take a while. He can hardly wait to dive into that mist again.”
“He’s had so many trial and errors that he should have it down to a science by now. I can remember MacDuff, Jock, and Caleb working to put in those light poles on that north bank. MacDuff was so disappointed when the infrared lights didn’t work.” She paused. “Is Caleb going to be there to help?”