Bits of twisted brown grass tied together with a bit of coarse woolen thread.
They were all quiet for a long moment.
“And there is nae a witness to be found anywhere?”
“None that I have come across. But the sheriff will nae allow me to question the people who live or work in those areas where they were found.”
“Why the bloody hell not?” Lachlan asked bewilderedly.
“Because he is as worthless as a sheriff as he is a man. He is too busy tryin’ to impress the aristocracy. A murdered prostitute is simply a murdered prostitute.”
“I wager is this madman was killin’ the daughters of the aristocracy the sheriff would have a much different opinion,” Keevah said frustratedly.
There was not one of among them who would argue that point.
For the next hour, they discussed everything Ewan knew about the murders. The main commonalities as well as the differences. All the while, Ewan paced from the map to his table and often would think aloud.
An ache was beginning to form in Keevah’s neck; literally and figuratively. The lack of sleep was catching up with her, but she wanted to press on.
“So, what we do know is that all these women are former prostitutes. Each of them had at least one child. And the murderer leaves behind a crucifix made from rushes.”
“Only six of the seven had children,” Ewan corrected her. “Celeste was the only one without a child. Celeste had no children.”
Keevah shook her head. I knew Celeste. She did have a child. A little girl. She would have been eleven or twelve had she lived.”
Surprised, Ewan went back to his table and riffled through his papers. “I did nae find that information,” he mumbled to himself.
Lachlan had been watching her closely for a long while. Something began to gnaw at his gut. Keevah could have been one of these women. The thought was terrifying to him. Even though they had yet to have the discussion regarding Brigid, he knew, deep down, the child had to be hers.
“Did ye ken all of these women?” he asked her.
“I knew five of them,” she replied.
The overwhelming urge to grab her and take her as far away from Inverness washed over him. He didn’t want her in the same city as this madman.
“I think we should get back to Brigid,” Lachlan told her. “I did nae get to break my fast this morn.”
“I think ye are right,” she said as she got to her feet. Lachlan grabbed their cloaks from the peg and draped hers over her shoulders.
“I think I would like to stay and talk with Ewan,” Murdoch said from his seat near the brazier.
While Lachlan would have preferred Murdoch to help assist with guarding Keevah and Brigid, he decided to allow it. “Verra well,” he said. “Please let us know if ye discover anythin’ else.”
They said their goodbyes and quit the room.
The walk back to the Tickled Pickle seemed to take far too long. Lachlan remained diligent, scanning the area for anyone who might appear as if they wanted to do them harm. Not only did he now need to protect Keevah and Brigid from Dermott, he felt he now needed to protect her from a deranged murderer.
“When we get back to Euphemie’s, I want ye to promise me ye will rest. At least for a little while.”
“I will nae argue with ye,” she said with a smile. “I am exhausted.”
Glad to hear her agree, he picked up the pace. He never thought he’d be so happy to walk through the doors of a brothel in his life.
Using the back streets and alleyways in order not to be seen felt odd to Keevah. Until the day she’d left all those years ago, she’d never been afraid to show her face in public. Not even after she started working at the Tickled Pickle.
“We must stay in the shadows,” Lachlan told her as he pulled the hood of her cloak over her thick, black hair. “Who knows if Dermott is looking for his wife or those who might have helped her.”
Deciding his argument was valid, she kept her head down as Lachlan took her hand to lead the way. It somehow felt right and good to have her hand in his. It also made her feel safe. Lord, what would I have done had he not been here?
It suddenly dawned on her that she still had no idea why he was here and what he was doing at the Tickled Pickle of all places. Curiosity was getting