“We don’t know, lass,” John said. “I’m going to leave you twa here and radio Oban. When Rob mentioned it earlier, I thought he wanted Una taken to task for throwing stones at him, but after finding your room in such a muddle, I agree. We need the polis.”
Rob pulled Maggie close. “I won’t let anything happen to you. Until your faither found that knife stuck in your pillow, I thought I should leave the island so you’d be safe. But now, there’s no way I’ll leave ’til that man is caught and jiled.”
***
The policeman John talked to, a Sergeant Grant, told him to expect at least three officers who would arrive on the island later that night. “We’ve a good, fast 18-knot motor-launch, but it will take us that long to gather what we need and cover the distance from Oban.”
“Then you think you can help?”
“I don’t know what we can do about the woman who made the written and verbal threats, but we can certainly seek out and arrest the man who did the damage and left the knife. Just make sure your doors are locked and that the lass isn’t left alone.”
“This is an infirmary. There is no lock on the door.”
“Then I suggest you set up a guard or barricade the door,” Grant said curtly before signing off.
***
Maggie insisted on seeing her room. Rob agreed only after John helped him into his wheelchair so he could be with her.
As her father opened the door, she grabbed the door frame to keep from falling.
“Don’t touch owt,” John warned. “The polis will want to see everything as it is.”
She walked around the room, hands clenched at her sides. “That leaves me only one uniform.” She looked at the tattered, gray-blue skirt and tunic fragments strewn across bed and floor. Tears blurred her vision. “That was my favorite skirt. And Elspeth knitted that sweater for me.”
She eyed the knife buried in the pillow, then whirled around. “Why, Faither? What have I ever done to deserve this?”
“You’ve done nowt, lass,” John said, taking her into his arms. “Whoever did this evil wants to frighten Rob into leaving the island.”
She swiped angrily at the tears in her eyes. “Then he and that dreadful Una are in for a disappointment.” She stood behind Rob, throwing her arms around his neck. “They don’t know Rob if they think he’ll leave Innisbraw before he has to report back to duty, and by then I’ll be gone, too.”
***
Rob and John stayed in the kitchen with Maggie while she made coffee and tea. “I’ll take this outside to the entry,” she said, placing everything they needed on a tray.
“That’s no’ safe,” Rob said. “You shouldn’t be ootside until the polis arrive and arrest that man.”
“But what could he possibly do with the both of you beside me?”
“Please take the tray, John,” Rob said. He reached for her hands and gripped them tightly. “There are hiding places behind rocks and bushes along the path. I don’t want you oot in the open where somebody could take a shot at you.”
“A ... a shot at me? Och, Rob, your imagination has run away with you. Nobody shoots guns on Innisbraw. There’s no game here.”
John led the way up the hall. “You’ve forgotten the fowl, lass, and there are a few long-guns on the island. Alistaire MacIver has one and I’ve heard several of the crofters who came here from Mull and Skye hunt corncraik, so they surely brought their shotguns with them. Since we have no idea who else has a gun, let’s go out to the foyer where I can safely open the door. The cliff across the path from the front of the infirmary is too steep to allow cover.” He set the tray on the foyer table.
Maggie asked Rob to lie down on the sofa with his head in her lap, but he insisted on having some coffee first. He took several thirsty swigs. “Do you know of a handgun available?” he asked John.
“A handgun!” Maggie exclaimed.
“For your protection. I’ll settle for a long-gun but it won’t be nearly as handy.”
“Och, I doubt anyone has one here,” John said, stroking his beard. “I don’t know if Maggie’s told you, but many of our crofters keep watch on the western shore every night in case a U-boat surfaces and tries to send a landing boat ashore. A few are armed, though I don’t know what with.”
Rob’s stomach twisted. “You’ve a shore-patrol on Innisbraw and nobody’s ever mentioned it? Is the island in danger of being invaded?”
“I’m sure it’s no’, for Innisbraw is so small we have no airfield or British military stationed here like on Tiree, South Uist, and Benbecula—and of course Lewis, far to the north, with its large naval base at Stornoway. But who knows? Several of the Outer Hebrides have been shelled by U-boats using the Atlantic to reach their western shores. I’ll radio Angus and Alec and see what I can find. I agree with you, a handgun would be more practical. Do you know how to use one?”
“The Army Air Forces made a Smith and Wesson .38 Special available to each pilot when we got to England, and they gave us plenty of time for target practice. I wore it ’neath my flight suit on every sortie and mission.”
“I remember seeing it,” Maggie said. “Doctor Larson took it out of a leather holder when you came into the hospital.”
Hugh and Elspeth appeared in the doorway, interrupting their conversation.
“That tea looks good,” Hugh said.
Maggie jumped up to get two more cups from the kitchen while Elspeth examined the bandage on the back of Rob’s head. “I’m so sorry, lad. Though I doubt Una has any regrets from the way she disappeared after Hugh dismissed everyone, all the auld widows feel most terrible for how they acted.”
“I hope you know those women who fell for Una’s lies were the only ones who had anything to do with what went on this morning.” Hugh clasped Rob’s shoulder. “Unlike many of the smaller villages of Scotland, who never accept those they call ‘incomers,’ the folk on this island welcome everyone who wishes to make Innisbraw their home.”
“I’m thinking you and Elspeth should have a look at Maggie’s room before you decide that,” Rob said. “John, why don’t you show them?”
Obviously puzzled, they followed John down the hallway
While the three were gone, Maggie returned to the foyer with the cups. “Here. Finish your coffee first,” she said. “Then you’re going to lie down and I won’t take no for an answer.”
Exhausted, but keyed-up, he wanted to pace the floor. “I can’t stay that still,” he said, after draining his mug. “Come sit in my lap so we can be close.” He clasped her to his chest, inhaling her sweet, innocent fragrance. “This is worse than fighting the Jerries. At least with them, I knew who the enemy was.”
“The polis will find him, if it really was a man who did this. Una may have lied.”
“There’s something I have to tell you. I swore to myself—and your faither—I’d never take you away from Innisbraw after the war, but what’s happened may change all that.”
She placed a finger over his lips. “If there’s a reason we can’t come back here, we’ll have to look for a home somewhere ... somewhere else. Perhaps in America.”
He traced the arch of her eyebrow with a trembling finger. “But if we don’t come back to Innisbraw, there’s no need for me to resign my Air Forces commission, and you have no idea what it means to be married to someone in the military. They don’t station you in one place for long. I could be deployed a great deal of the time, leaving you alone with only other wives for company and no one to hold you in the night.”
“Rob—”
“You grew up surrounded by folk who luve you. Some of the bases are out in the middle of nowhere without villages nearby. And those eight bairns of ours would have to change schools every time they put down roots. I can’t do that to them ... or you.”
Tears escaped her eyes. “But surely we don’t have to look that far ahead.”
“Och, I’m sorry, luve, I know we don’t. But after thinking it over, I don’t see how I can stay here any longer than it
takes the polis to arrest that man. Una can always find another to take his place. You’ll be in no danger if all she wants is me leaving the island.”
“All? Isn’t that enough? If you leave before the end of August, even if you can somehow get into an American military hospital in England, you won’t have Faither’s rehabilitation program to make certain you walk unaided again and ... and I can’t go with you. I’ll have to return to duty.”
“Don’t say that. Don’t even think it.”
“But ’tis true.” She collapsed into sobs.
CHAPTER 30
Rob held Maggie while she wept. Get control, Savage. Think. Think! Only logic could solve this problem. No emotion. Just thought. His ability to focus on logistical problems had always been his primary problem-solving device when planning bombing strikes, especially those with two or more approaches. His actions depended on weighing choices, but those choices were so limited. Leaving now was not an option.
The most obvious choice was remaining on the island until the polis arrested the man responsible for the knife, and then leaving so Maggie would be safe in case Una found another to carry out her dirty work.
Where could he go?
Maggie couldn’t leave with him.
Finding the man and enough proof to arrest him could take a long time and the end of August was only a few weeks away.
So only one choice remained. Stay on Innisbraw and protect Maggie. Just like the Selkie’s crofter.
“I’ll be here ’til you have to return to duty.” He rubbed his cheek against hers. “Though I’m worried sick over what Una might do to you if I don’t get off the island.”
“And ... and after I have to leave? What about your therapy?” She pulled back and looked at him, face filled with despair.
What would he do when Maggie returned to duty? Another choice, but not as difficult. His Maggie would be off the island and he was determined to walk without a limp once this was all over. “I’ll stay here until my therapy is finished. I’d be daft to quit before John thinks I’m ready for duty.”
Their lips met, an uncertain future drawing them together.
Elspeth, Hugh, and John interrupted the kiss, John saying, “I’m sorry we took so long. We prayed for guidance before having a lengthy discussion about what steps to take.”
“Hugh has Alec’s cairt and cuddy outside,” Elspeth said. “He’s going to take me to my cottage so we can spend time together on our knees where we belong.” She trailed her fingers over Rob’s shoulder and kissed Maggie’s cheek. “After seeing what was done to your room, lass, your faither is going to contact some of the men-folk and try to find a gun. I know it sounds dreadful, but we’re all convinced it’s needed for your protection.”
Hugh grasped Maggie and Rob’s hands and said a brief prayer for God’s perfect will before they took their leave.
***
John spent over an hour on the radio before searching for Maggie and Rob. He found them in the kitchen. “Alistaire MacIver, a cannie auld-timer with a keen memory, is certain there are no handguns on the island. He also said his shotgun is so auld and in such poor condition, he doubted it would be safe to fire.”
“So we’re back where we started,” Rob said.
“No’ quite. Alec, who heads up the men patrolling our shores every een, told me about one of the sheep crofters who came here from Mull in the mid-thirt—”
“He has a gun?”
“Och, calm down, lad. ’Tis Colin Stewart, and Alec paid him a call. He has twa shotguns—a newer one he carries every time ’tis his turn to guard the western shore—and a verra auld one in guid shape. I don’t know anything about guns so I wrote down what Alec said it was.” He pulled a paper from his shirt pocket. “’Tis a J. D. Dougall 12-gauge single-shot. Collin will bring it over the day with some shells and show you how to use it.”
“I don’t like taking it away from one of the shore patrol.”
“Och, Alec said the men who know how to shoot all have their own shotguns and nobody else has the skill or desire to use a gun of any sort.”
“I’ve never fired a shotgun, but from what I understand, you don’t have to aim as closely as you do with a handgun. The shot in the shell scatters enough to stop a man, often without killing him.”
Maggie shivered.
“I’m sure I’ll never have to use it,” Rob said, expression grim, “but if anybody tries to hurt you, they’ll have to climb over me first.”
“Why don’t you start some supper, lass?” John asked. “I know none of us is verra hungry but Rob, in particular, cannot go without food.”
“Only if you agree to get into bed,” she said to Rob. “You’ve missed your nap the day and if you lose any more weight, you’ll soon be as thin as when we arrived.”
***
John retired to his office so the two could have some privacy. He stared out the window at Ben Innis, her sides a blush of soft purple as heather blossoms opened in the burgeoning warmth. How could something like this happen on Innisbraw? Och, the folk were far from perfect, but if Una hadn’t lied to Rob, what man on the island would threaten his Maggie with bodily harm?
He prayed for divine intervention before making his way to the kitchen. Maggie would surely be there by now and he didn’t want her left alone.
He found the MacDonalds in the kitchen with Maggie. “There you are,” she said. “Alec and Morag decided to walk up from their croft to see how Rob is feeling before they drive Hugh home in their cairt. I’m starting supper.”
“We had a peek at Maggie’s room,” Alec said. “’Twas most awful.”
“I can’t imagine who would have the nerve to do such a thing,” Morag said. “Surely they knew they would be missed at kirk.”
“A few of the men-folk seldom go,” Alec reminded her.
“That narrows the suspects down right there.”
Maggie swept the potatoes and an onion into a large kettle and added water. “Faither, will you go make sure Rob is asleep? ’Tis still difficult for him to get out of bed by himself, but he’s in such a fankle, I don’t trust him to stay put.”
***
Rob sat on the side of his bed, doing leg-lifts.
“You should be resting,” John said.
“I can’t stay still. Jump at the slightest sound.”
John nodded and went to the window, pulling aside the lace curtain. “At least there aren’t many who use this path. Only a few fishermen and those crofters who live on the southwest end of the island getting their post.”
Rob grunted in agreement. “I want to ask you something.” He rubbed the side of his nose. “And I want you to level with me.”
John dropped the curtain. “I’ll do my best.”
“Then, speaking as my doctor, I want to know if there’s a physical reason why I can’t get a handle on my emotions. I’ve never been as angry in my life as I was this mornin—’twas like looking through a red fog. And for weeks, I’ve gotten so caught up in how I’m feeling, I can’t make decisions, even after praying and thinking about problems for hours.”
“Of course there’s a physical reason.” John pulled a chair up next to the bed. “Anybody who’s come so close to death and suffered excruciating pain for a long period of time will be emotionally affected, especially if the injury involves damaged nerves.”
“Please tell me it will get better. I hate this.”
“Over time.”
Rob hung his head.
“Our bodies are marvelous creations of God, but they’re no’ machines. If an engine breaks down, you can replace the defective part, but the human body is far too complex for that, especially the nervous system. And you can’t leave the brain out of the mix.” He patted Rob’s knee. “The injury you suffered dealt you a double blow—both physical and emotional. The possibility of spending the rest of your life paralysed from the hips down has left you reeling.”
“But I’m walking now. No’ well, but I know I will in time. I can’t expect to take com
mand of an Eighth Heavy Bomber Group again if I can’t make instant decisions without deciding how I feel about it.”
“You haven’t given it enough time. The more physical progress you make and the better you walk, the more control you’ll have over your emotions. ’Tis as simple as that.”
Though John’s words made sense, they were not what Rob wanted to hear. “When can I start using crutches?”
“Och, I’ve never seen anyone in such a hurry. Crutches are dangerous. First, you must learn to turn and walk much farther than you are now. One hard fall and that wheelchair could be your constant companion for the rest of your life.”
Anger flared. No matter how much he accomplished, something always slowed him down. He remembered his first landing in a Stearman PT-17 trainer. A three-bounce landing was embarrassing enough, but if he didn’t lighten up on the stick and rudders, he would be washed out of flight school, or even the Air Corps.
Luckily, his instructor, Colonel Hal Fielding, a World War I ace, explained his rough landing. “You can’t wrestle a plane to the ground. Try to sense the landing before the wheels hit. Feel it in your gut and you’ll learn to let her land herself.”
Is that what he was doing now—trying to wrestle this problem to the ground?
“Then why waste time? It’s going to be hours before the polis get here, so let’s start now. Tell me what I need to practice and I’ll do it, no matter how long it takes.”
“Maggie’ll have my skin if you don’t get some sleep. Lie down and try to at least rest for an hour.”
“Och, you’re as bad as Maggie,” Rob grumbled, lowering himself to his back.
***
Colin Stewart arrived with his shotgun tucked under one arm and a handful of shells in his pocket.
John greeted him with a warm handshake. “Maggie has a fish and tattie bree simmering on the stove, so this is a guid time to show Rob your long-gun.”
Rob put down the copy of the Edinburgh Scotsman he’d been trying to read. Once introductions were made and Rob sat in his wheelchair, they made their way out to the foyer.
“I want Maggie to stand back inside the doorway,” Rob said.