A Time & Place for Every Laird by Angeline Fortin (ebook reader TXT) 📕

Chapter 7

Claire closed the door andleaned back against it, releasing a trembling breath as the burningfear that anger had pushed to the side rekindled within her.Closing her eyes, she tilted her head back and banged it softlyagainst the door with a thud. What was she thinking? She’d justbeen given an out from prosecution and she hadn’t taken it. Allshe’d had to do was point up the stairs and Hugh Urquhart and allhis troubles, all of his cantankerous attitude, would have beenswept out of her door. But her dislike of the agent had overriddenher more manageable irritation with the lab’s stolen property and she hadn’t beenable to do it. She hadn’t wanted to give Phil Jameson thesatisfaction of finding what he was looking for.

It had been the right choice, but eventuallyClaire knew she would end up paying the price. This wasn’t likefreeing a dog destined to be put down from the pound. Evidently,this was a federal offense. She could go to prison. Or worse.

But what if she didn’thelp Hugh? What would happen to him? His fate could be much worsethan hers potentially was. He might be a massive, arrogant,ignorant bully but he was still a human being. Sighing, she openedher eyes to find the big Scot contemplating her solemnly fromacross the room. There were questions in his eyes that she didn’thave the answers to.

“Ye dinnae tell them …”

“Yeah, yeah,” she scoffed. “I’ve heard Ihave a soft heart.”

“Sorcha …”

“We’ll need to get out of here before theycome back,” Claire cut him off, pushing away from the door. Hermind was already spinning, thinking of what they could do. Wherethey could go. Clearly, Jameson hadn’t believed her at all. Eitherthat or he was naturally suspicious. Either way, she knew he’d beback, and next time a search of her townhouse wasn’t something shewould have an option about.

She rushed up the stairs into her bedroomand to the closet, pulling down her biggest suitcase. Then sherejected it for a smaller version. “We can’t take much. They’llknow we’re on the run for sure.”

“Sorcha …”

“Cash! Damn, we’ll need cash. The Feds cantrack you anywhere now with a credit card. I have some, but itwon’t last for long.” Claire went to her dresser and opened the topdrawer. She pulled a small box out from under her socks, grabbingsome underwear and bras as well and throwing them into the bagbefore slamming that drawer shut and opening the small box to countthe cash inside. “I can’t go to my parents. If those guys noticeI’m gone and connect the dots, that will be the first place theylook. We need somewhere unconnected.”

“Sorcha.” Hugh’s huge paw covered her handand Claire looked up at him with wide eyes. She was panting, bloodpumping with renewed fear and adrenaline.

“What?”

“This isnae yer fight.”

“Really?” She raised a mocking brow, findingsolace from the fear in the comforting arms of sarcasm. “You thinkyou can go out there into the great wide open by yourself and comeout a winner here? Do you have any idea what they will do to you ifthey catch you?”

Hugh just shrugged as if it were of littlematter. “More of what they’ve already done, I would wager.”

“Wrong!” Claire shot back,infuriated by his nonchalant attitude. “If you go out there andmore people find out what happened and where you’re from, theywon’t be able to stick you back in that hole and pretend nothing’swrong! They’re going to come after you with guns blazing, and afterthat—if you aren’t dead by then—they’re going to drag you back tothe lab and make a science experiment out of you. They’ll slice anddice you without mercy because you aren’t a person to them. You’rea thing to them.A mistake. And they’ll have to cover it up. After that it’ll getreally bad.”

“Are ye always so optimistic?”

“Always,” she snapped. “Can’t you tell frommy charming, upbeat personality?”

“Sorcha, look at me.”

“My name isn’t Sorcha!” she screeched.

Hugh only raised a brow and took her handsin his. He looked down at her, forcing her to meet his compellinggaze. “Ye’re frightened. I ken that. I hae nae wish tae burden youwi’ my presence or the consequences of my escape.”

“Which I’m already an accessory to,” sheadded, but Hugh only shook his head and brushed a tear Clairehadn’t even noticed away from her cheek. As if his touch held amagical balm, Claire’s panic ebbed and her breath slowed, thoughher heart was still racing. “Forget it. There’s no backing out now.I just need to figure out what to do about you.”

“Yer a brave lass to be sure,” he saidsoftly, “but this isnae yer burden tae bear. This is my war tae befought … and won.”

Unconsciously, Claire tilted her headagainst his hand, feeling the rough texture of his palm against hercheek. The warmth of his skin against hers. He was alive. So veryalive. She wanted him to stay that way. Call it pity. Call it ahumanitarian effort to right a moral wrong. Claire knew that shecouldn’t just let Hugh Urquhart walk out that door and face theunknown dangers that awaited him in her time. The logical side ofher knew he wouldn’t last a minute out there. The dangers of thistime were almost as bad as what awaited at the lab for a man so outof his element.

Out of his time.

Finally, Claire awed overwhat science haddone. Dr. Fielding had somehow created a time machine. Theramifications were huge. There was no telling how the ability totravel through time and space might change the world as she knewit. It was a power that might be used for the benefit of allmankind. However, given the history of that selfsame mankind,Claire knew that it was more likely to be used for less thanbenevolent reasons. Business and national governments didn’tnormally have great track records when it came toaltruism.

Releasing a deep breath, Claire smiledtightly up at Hugh. Her voice calmed. “I must say you’re taking allof this incredibly well. Far better than I am.”

“’Tis a surprise tae ye,while I’ve had time tae get used tae it,” he said. “I hae been inthat prison for weeks, mayhap months,