Page 12 of A Scot on the Rocks

He shook his head as she tried again.

“Animals?”

He gave her a look. “Do you always do this?”

“Sometimes.”

“Do you know there were six others before me?” His hand shook. “All of them experienced odd noises, and all of them swore someone was watching them.”

Olivia remembered the careful wording in Fiona’s emails.

Previous consultants were unable to complete the project.

“What happened to them?”

He took another step towards his car. “The first lasted three weeks. The second only made it five days. The third and fourth cancelled, and the fifth and sixth lasted a day apiece.” He adjusted the suitcase in his hand. “I lasted twelve days.”

“Congratulations?” So that made him number seven and her number eight. Should she be offended she was the eighth choice? No wonder Fiona was worn out.

Dr. Price almost smiled again, but as he looked over his shoulder at Dunarraidh Castle, he went a bit green around the edges.

“I don’t care if you believe me, just don’t go to the ruins or into that tunnel alone.”

Before Olivia could ask him anything else, he hurried past her and tossed both suitcases into the car.

She watched him climb behind the wheel, shut the door, and pull away with enough speed to throw mud from the tires. By the time his car disappeared around the bend, the door to the distillery office had opened.

A woman stood there with her arms folded.

“I suppose that saves me explaining about Dr. Price.”

Olivia picked up her bags.

“His exit interview was thorough enough.”

The woman came down the steps, and looked to be in her fifties, dressed in a navy jumper beneath a waxed jacket, jeans tucked into muddy boots, and silver threaded liberally through dark hair cut at her chin.

“I’m Fiona MacRae.”

“Olivia Bennett.”

They shook hands as Fiona glanced toward the road. “I’d hoped he would at least wait until you arrived.”

“He did.”

“Barely.”

Olivia looked toward the castle again.

“How many?” She wanted to hear it for herself.

Fiona pretended not to understand as Olivia arched a brow.

“How many people tried before me?”

“You know about the others?”

“Dr. Price just told me enough to suggest this has turned into a pattern.”