“Good advice,” she said, and Tom merely nodded. So Durgan was still claiming the place was dangerous. Which meant there should be no one but him to deal with once they were inside. She hoped.
The car slowed down to a crawl, and she heard the gravel that covered the parking area behind the library scrunching under the wheels. Then the cruiser rocked to a halt. She listened to Dan get out and saunter around to the back door. In a moment, he had it open.
“Make it quick,” Dan said. “There’s a State Trooper at the front walking around.”
Tom crawled out, drawing his harp with him, and Katie followed, clutching the gun and the flashlight. Dan watched the area around them as she and Tom sprinted for the stairs down to the graveyard. The afternoon was warm, and the scent of honeysuckle lay thick in the air. Tom cast about as furtive as a mouse thinking of crossing a room. His caution only heightened her own. She listened to the snap and pop of gravel shooting out from under Dan’s tires as he pulled out of the parking area. It occurred to her that she should have glanced towards the back dormer windows of the library to see if anyone was there.
Tom moved along, counting his stones. She hoped Dan would hurry. There was no one in the old churchyard cemetery just now. At least, no one alive. That thought didn’t make her feel any better. One of the nearby graves had fresh flowers. If she glanced across the way, she could see the headstones marking the isolated plots belonging to the MacLeods, could even make out the three newest markers where Mom and Dad and Adam rested. She had not been allowed to see the remains, and there were times when she wondered if they could be certain it was her family the avalanche diminished to one.
I am the last MacLeod in Mercyville, she thought glumly. The last one in these parts. Sounded like a big responsibility.
Gravel scrunched overhead. Katie froze, backing herself against the wall. Tom reached out, ready to push the stone that would open the passage. Someone stopped at the top of the stairs. Katie heard the snap of a match, the hiss of flame. Then something plinked to the edge of stones overhead, only to be ground under a foot. A man heaved the long sigh of drawing smoke into his lungs and letting it free. Definitely not Dan, Katie decided. Her muscles started aching in protest from holding her position, yet she knew one tiny move—one gasp of inhale—would give them away. Please, go away, whoever you are! But whoever stood overhead seemed to have no intention of deserting the peaceful place. Cigarette smoke wafted. Katie bit her lip and made a face. She had never been able to abide cigarette smoke.
A warm wind whipped up across the graveyard, playing with her hair. She heard a melodious hum, and turned an alarmed look at Tom. He pressed a hand to the harp strings, hoping to quiet them.
All sound from above had stopped. “This place is getting too damned weird,” a voice muttered above. “Next time, Jim gets this graveyard beat.” She heard something small plop to the ground, followed by the grind of boot on the edge of stone. Footsteps headed towards the head of the stairs.
“Hey!” Dan’s voice came from a short distance. “Did you see them?”
“Who?” the man above.
“The old guy and the young woman my Uncle’s after,” Dan insisted. “I swear I saw them duck around the other side of the library, and I came this way to cut them off.”
“Maybe they cut back on you,” the other suggested.
“You go that way and see if you can follow them,” Dan said. “I’ll backtrack.”
“Right.” Footsteps now diverted towards the far end of the parking area at a run. They faded in the distance, and Dan suddenly came vaulting down the stairs into the graveyard.
“Took you long enough,” Katie said.
“We don’t have much time before he figures I’ve sent him on a wild goose chase,” Dan insisted. “God, I’m gonna lose my badge for this.”
“But you’ll be a hero all the same,” Tom insisted. He pressed the stone in the wall and let the section open out. “Lady Katie, I believe you have the flashlight.”
“I’m going first,” Dan insisted and took the flashlight from her hand before she could protest. He scuttled into the tunnel, shining the light ahead of him. Tom merely shrugged, and gestured that Katie should take the lead. She slipped in, eager to get matters resolved. Tom came behind her, pulling the section of wall shut.
“Straight forward, deputy,” he whispered.
Dan nodded, moving ahead at a careful pace until he reached the next wall. There, Tom edged ahead of them and pushed the wall open into the cellar.
It was quiet and dark. Dan’s light trailed over the crates and shadows. Tom sniffed. “Smells a bit of the faery,” he said.
“Smells like rotten toadstools,” Dan muttered.
“Faery,” Tom said with a nod.
“You mean there are goblins in the cellar?” Katie asked.
“Not at the moment,” Tom said, “but they’ve been here. Recently too, by the smell.”
“I never thought of faery as smelling like anything but bee pollen and honeysuckle,” she said.
“The Seelie, perhaps, but we’re not talking about the light folk just now. Let’s get upstairs and open that passage before the Erl-King figures we’ve breached his fortress.”
“I thought this was your house,” Katie said.
Dan made a face at that.
“We’ll discuss it later,” Tom said. “It’s almost high noon. Best we get into the subcellar and open the light gate to help close the dark one now.”
Tom started for the stairs. Dan quickly pushed ahead, drawing his gun. Katie sighed, letting them sort the pecking order among themselves and holding up the rear guard with her shotgun at the ready. She was sweating, and the silver locket tingled between her breasts as her clothes seemed to stick to her. Dan made the top of the stairs and paused, listening at the door. Then he tried the latch, and found it gave to his gentle push. He gapped the door just enough to allow him to peer into the hall.
“Clear,” he whispered back and widened the opening to slip through. Tom pushed it wider to accommodate himself and the harp. Katie followed, casting a short glance back over her shoulder into the dark of the cellar.
She swore she saw something move in the heavy shadows that rimmed the cellar. Not eager to learn what it might be, she closed the door—gently, of course— and looked around the hall.
Dan was already at the other end of the back hall, peering into the main corridor that led to the front of the library. There was something wickedly chilling about sneaking about in this fashion. She knew the creak of every board in this hall from experience, and now, she moved across them with the dread that one of them would give her away.
And still, they passed unchallenged. The building was filled with eerie silence. No lights were on, and the shadows here were like the gloaming at sunset that filled some parts of the mountains. Katie felt her muscles growing taught from stress and unease. Where was Durgan?
Dan crossed the expanse of the main room, and Katie took a moment to glance at the portrait of T. L. MacKenzie. Yep, the Tolkeinish resemblance was still there, only now, she saw the merry twinkle and generous smile she’d come to know as Tom. He noticed her gaze and grinned.
“ ’Twas a good likeness at the time,” he whispered.
“I’ll never be able to look at that portrait with quite the same attitude now,” she returned as quietly. “I’ll always expect it to lift a pennywhistle to its lips and twiddle a jig.”
Tom smirked. “Maybe it will for you,” he said, and winked.
Dan motioned for the two of them to be quiet. He stood at Durgan’s office door, one shoulder to the wood. A true officer of the law in action. Gun raised with the barrel pointing at the ceiling, he reached for the knob, turning it. A click echoed, and Katie winced. Why did everything seem so loud when one wanted silence?
Gently, Dan eased the door open, and peered into the room. It was dark, and the curtains were drawn to stifle the noonday sunlight. The room appeared empty. Where is Durgan? Katie thought as Tom f
ollowed Dan, passing under the lintel. Dan’s gaze swept the room briefly. Katie stopped just inside the open door.
“Looks clear,” Dan said.
“Good,” Tom said. “Lady Katie, you have the keys, I presume.”
“Yes,” Katie said, reaching into her pocket, only to freeze. Something cold brushed against the back of her neck, and only an idiot would fail to recognize the steel barrel of a gun.
“Everyone stand right where you are and don’t move,” Durgan said, “or I shall be forced to have the carpet cleaned to remove Miss MacLeod’s blood.”
EIGHTEEN
“Please put your weapon down, Miss MacLeod,” Durgan said with such quiet reserve it sent shivers racing along Katie’s spine. “And you as well, Deputy.”
“Where were you?” Katie asked.
“Behind the desk, where every good librarian belongs,” he replied in a smug manner.
Depends on your idea of a good librarian, Katie thought. She rather doubted his opinion would match her own.
“Oh, and as for you, Tom, I would suggest you stand over near the Deputy where I can keep an eye on you,” Durgan insisted, jerking his head. “You may not have a weapon, but I know now you’re not what you seem, and therefore, you are not a man I care to trust.”
“You always were something of a slug, Durgan” Tom said and grinned. “Eyestalks and all...”
“Move!” Durgan snapped. “Give me your gun, Miss MacLeod!”
Katie cautiously lowered the shotgun until the barrel touched the carpeted floor. Durgan reached forward to seize the weapon, jerking it from her grasp. He propped it just outside the door, never letting his own gun waiver.
“Don’t do this, Mr. Durgan,” Dan said. “You know I can’t lay my gun down.”
“Pity, and I really thought you loved this brazen creature, but I must be mistaken,” Durgan said with a bitter smile.
Dan shifted the angle of his own gun, aiming towards Durgan’s head. At least, Katie hoped it was his head and not her own. Still, she couldn’t help flinching when she heard the ominous click at the back of her head as Durgan cocked the hammer.
“I am a man of my word, Deputy, and I will kill her,” Durgan said.
“What about the officer outside?” Dan insisted. “He’ll hear the shots!”
“Not likely,” Durgan said. “At this moment, he’s chasing a couple of pookas about the graveyard who are disguised Tom and Miss MacLeod. Not all of them are allergic to the light, you see.”
“Wait, I though pookas were Irish,” Katie said.
“A faery is a faery,” Durgan said, “and if you don’t shut up, I may be tempted to shoot you on principle.”
She sneered.
“What about the Erl-King’s wishes?” Tom said brightly. “He might be a wee bit miffed if you kill off his intended bride.”
“A minor detail,” Durgan said. “All he ever really wanted was the flag. Wooing Miss McLeod was just one way of getting her to give it to him willingly.”
“Well, he’s not getting it,” Katie said. “And if you kill me, the Erl-King will never find it.”
“What do you mean?” Durgan said in a stiff manner.
“Surely you don’t think I’d be stupid enough to bring it along, knowing that’s what he wanted?” she insisted. “I hid it someplace he can’t go.”
“Oh?” Durgan insisted. “And how did you intend to close the dark gate without it?”
“I had no intention of closing the dark gate,” she said. “I was going to open the other gate and let the Seelie deal with the Erl-King.”
Durgan began to laugh. “You really think they can stop him?” Durgan said. “He’s all powerful, the Erl-King. He is a god among men who will be helpless before him when he spreads his reign over the land.”
“You’ve been reading too many of Grimm’s Fairy Tales,” Katie said. “Just what is the Erl-King offering to do for you?”
“Everything I desire,” Durgan said. “He’ll start by restoring me to my old position at a substantial raise without any competition. I’ll be free to live off my grants and publish my works, and never have to deal with another fresh-faced student or crabby professor or selfish alumnus for the rest of my life. Nor shall I have to deal with small-minded, small town biddies or brazen hoydens with vinegar for tongues!”
“And what do you have to do for this privilege?”
“Keep you from reaching the gate before midnight tonight,” Durgan said. “A simple enough task, and one I shall endeavor to do without bloodshed unless our Deputy refuses to lower his weapon.”
The barrel of the handgun punched the back of Katie’s neck to accentuate the statement.
“You’ve made a bargain with a devilish creature, you know,” Tom said, “and such bargains are never to the good of them what make them. If you think for one minute the Erl-King will grant your wishes, Master Durgan, you’re wrong. Once he has the flag, there’ll be nothing to stop him from spreading his darkness across this world. There will be no universities and colleges, and there will be no one to publish or read your ruddy, boring prose.”
“You’re wrong!” Durgan said. “He is the answer to all men’s prayers! He can stop disease, end hunger, end the foolish wars men fight.”
“Well, now, there I know he’s pulling your other leg to see if it’s got bells on it,” Tom said. “The Erl-King loves a good war. He started a fair number of bloody clan wars back in...”
“Oh, shut up, you smelly old vagabond.”
“He had a bath!” Katie insisted before the barrel of the gun punched her neck again. “Owww!”
“Enough of this!” Durgan snarled, swinging his gaze towards Dan. “You have to the count of three to lower your weapon, Deputy, or you shall say good-bye to Miss MacLeod.”
“No deals,” Dan said. “You shoot Katie, and I’ll shoot you.”
“Dan, I’m not sure I like the order in that threat,” Katie said with a frown.
“One...” Durgan said.
“Let her go and back away, Mr. Durgan. Please, listen to reason,” Dan said.
“Two...”
Sweat rolled off Katie’s neck. She stared at Dan, watching the anger and frustration smoldering behind his unflinching gaze. God, what a time for him to want to play lawman! She closed her eyes.
“Three,” Durgan said and she felt him stiffened his arm for the recoil.
“All right!” Dan snapped. Katie opened her eyes in time to see him lower his gun and look ill in the bargain.
“Kneel and put it on the floor with the barrel aimed towards you,” Durgan ordered, and Katie heard him ease off the hammer. Her chest ached from holding her breath.
Dan sighed, slowly crouching to comply.
“Now, back away,” Durgan said.
Dan rose and retreated towards the windows.
“Miss MacLeod, if you would be so kind as to move now,” Durgan said, herding Katie forward with the barrel of the gun. She sneered and walked slowly until she was just past Dan’s gun. Durgan took but a moment to crouch and claim the weapon, slipping it into his pocket. “Very good,” he said as he rose again. “Now, I think the three of you are going to occupy the storage closet until the Erl-King comes out for the evening. After that, you shall be his problem. This way, gentlemen.”
Durgan’s free hand snagged Katie’s arm, hauling her back towards the door. She got a brief glimpse of her shotgun in passing, but Durgan pressed the barrel to her head and pulled her close like a shield as he glared at Dan.
“You’ll just kill her with me,” Durgan said when Dan’s eyes flickered that way. “Forget the shotgun, Deputy, and come along. I haven’t got all day.”
“It’s not like you’re going anywhere real soon,” Katie retorted. The gun punched her again, and she winced. She was going to have bruises if he didn’t stop poking her.
“Enough of your tongue,” Durgan hissed. “And you needn’t consider making noise in the closet. No one will come to your rescue. This old house is remarkably well i
nsulated against noise.”
“I preferred it that way,” Tom said indifferently. He still clutched his harp under one arm as he followed Dan through the door and into the main room. From there, Durgan hauled Katie into the hall lined with bookcases of old volumes with call numbers attached to their spines. A wide selection of 200s in the Dewey decimal system greeted her as he led her back towards the rear of the house. The closet door sat under the staircase that rose to the second floor, and its key was dangling from its lock. Durgan stopped just down the hall, moving the gun to gesture to Tom.
“Open it, Tom,” Durgan said, “and don’t get any brilliant ideas about pocketing the key either. Just leave it in the lock.”
Tom frowned, unlocking the closet and opening the door out into the hall. He stepped inside, flicking on the overhead light. Katie got a glimpse of mop buckets, vacuum cleaners and other maintenance supplies. Durgan jerked the gun again, and Dan followed Tom into the storage closet.
“Away from the door, gentlemen,” Durgan said. “Step inside, Miss Macleod, and close the door as you go.”
He pushed Katie towards the opening, releasing her arm. Off balance, she stumbled towards the door, catching its edge with one hand. Shifting her weight, she hauled it farther open towards the wall, letting herself flow in a clumsy manner that threatened to send her tumbling to the floor. Durgan moved forward, though she didn’t think it was out of gentlemanly concern. For that matter, she didn’t care. She managed to fall towards the shelves, seizing a book and lobbing it at the library director’s head.
Instinctively, Durgan threw up his hands to save his face from being battered, and that distraction was all Dan needed to come surging out of the closet. He seized the gun hand at the wrist, shoving it sideways just as Durgan was taking aim on Katie. The shot slammed into the books near her head, and she burst away from that focal point.
“Thanks a lot!” she groused and drove herself towards the fray, hoping to find an opening as she seized up a hefty volume of “The Encyclopedia of World Religions.”
Dan shoved Durgan into the bookshelves in a struggle for the gun. Both men fell as Katie lurched after them. On the floor, they rolled, the gun aimed towards the back hall. It went off a second time, and Katie decided that maybe she should wait until there was enough space to maneuver. She didn’t relish the idea of becoming an accidental target.
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