that. I just don't believe in your way of dealing with them. I want them to suffer in this world, not the next. They're dying like heroes. What they really were is being swept under the carpet. That's what comes of doing it your way."
"Graham, we need to talk about your situation as it is now. Davina needs her mother. Why don't you bring her out now and we'll talk about your complaints. I promise we'll listen."
"Are you crazy? This is the only way to get your attention, Lawson. And I plan to make the most of it before this is over." The call ended abruptly with the crashing down of the phone at the other end.
Duncan tried to hide his frustration. "Well, at least we know now what's eating him."
"He's off his head. We can't negotiate with him if he's broadcasting it to the world. Who knows what crazy allegations he's going to come up with next? The man should be sectioned, not humored." Lawson slammed his hand against the side of the van.
"Before we can do that, we need to get him and the baby out of there."
"Fuck that," Lawson said. "It'll be dark in an hour. We'll storm the place."
Duncan looked stunned. "Sir, that's way outside the rules of engagement."
"So is kidnapping a baby," Lawson called over his shoulder as he stalked back to his car. "I'm not standing by while a child's life is at risk."
Alex hit the track with an overwhelming sense of relief. There had been a couple of moments when he'd seriously doubted he'd ever get out of the field without a tractor. But he'd made it. He picked up his phone, planning to call Jason and tell him he was on his way with something very interesting. No signal. Alex tutted and drove carefully up the rutted lane toward the main road.
As he neared Kinross, his phone rang. He grabbed it. Four messages. He thumbed the keys and summoned them. The first was from Weird, a terse message telling him to call home as soon as he picked it up. The second was also from Weird, passing on a mobile number. The fourth and fifth were from journalists asking him to return their calls.
What the hell was going on? Alex pulled into a pub car park on the outskirts of the town and called Weird's number. "Alex? Thank the Lord," Weird gasped. "You're not driving, are you?"
"Alex, something bad has happened. But everybody's OK."
"Weird, just fucking tell me," Alex roared, panic thudding in his chest.
"Macfadyen has taken Davina," he said, speaking slowly and clearly. "He's holding her hostage. But she's OK. He hasn't hurt her."
Alex felt as if someone had reached inside his body and ripped his heart out. All the love he'd discovered in himself seemed to transmute into a mixture of fear and rage. "What about Lynn? Where is she?" he choked out
"She's here with us, outside Macfadyen's house in St. Monans. Hang on, I'll let you speak to her." A moment passed, then he heard a forlorn shadow of Lynn's voice.
"Where have you been, Alex? He stole Davina. He took our baby, Alex." He could hear the tears hovering beneath the hoarseness.
"I was in a black spot. No reception. Lynn, I'm coming. Hold on. Don't let them do anything. I'm coming, and I know something that'll change everything. Don't let them do anything, you hear? It's going to be all right. You hear? It's going to be OK. Put Weird back on, please?" As he spoke, he was starting the engine and pulling out of the car park.
"Alex?" He could hear the strain in Weird's voice. "How soon can you be here?"
"I'm in Kinross. Forty minutes? Weird, I know the truth. I know what happened to Rosie and I can prove it. When Macfadyen hears this, he'll understand he doesn't need to take any more revenge. You've got to stop them doing anything that puts Davina at risk until I can tell him what I know. This is dynamite."
"I'll do my best. But they've got us shut away from the action."
"Whatever it takes, Weird, do it. And look after Lynn for me, please?"
"Of course. Get here fast as you can, eh? God bless you."
Alex jammed his foot to the floor and drove as he'd never driven. He almost wished to be stopped for speeding. That way he'd get