On the Hunt

“I didn’t say that.”

“You’ll do it. I know it!”

“Then you know more than I do,” Kira said. “And I won’t promise to—”

Splat! The tree next to Kira was pierced by a bullet as she turned to look at Fiona!

Another shot! This time it hit the tree next to Fiona.

That was too close. Kira dove sideways and knocked Fiona off her horse to the ground. Then she was dragging her into the brush behind the trees. “Be still!” she whispered. “Don’t move!”

More shots spattered the earth in front of the path. Then there came an entire barrage of bullets striking the trees all around them. Kira rolled Fiona into a ditch on the other side of the road and covered her with her body.

“Are either of you hurt?” Harlan was suddenly beside them and jumping off his horse and lifting Kira to her feet. “Fiona?”

“I’m fine.” Kira brushed the tousled hair out of her eyes. “And I think Fiona is okay, too. But I knocked her off her horse when I heard the shot.” She made a face. “I thought you were bragging how safe it is here at your fine manor house.”

“It usually is,” Belson said dryly as he pulled up beside them. “Today we had a few intruders. But the military patrol took care of them when they spotted you two out here. They should be under arrest by now.”

“And I have a number of questions for them to answer once we have a chance to find out how they got onto the property,” Harlan added grimly. “You’re sure neither of you is injured?”

“I’m fine,” Fiona said as she got to her knees. Then Belson was helping her to her feet. “A little scared maybe, but Kira knocked me off my horse and then into the ditch and that was enough to clear my head.” Her smile was a little shaky. “I didn’t mean to get her that angry just because I was nagging her.”

“Be quiet. That’s not funny,” Kira said as she checked out Domino’s condition. Lucky? One of those bullets might have struck either one of these horses, she realized. “That bullet was close enough to ricochet off the tree right next to you.” She turned to Harlan. “You’re right to keep someone close to her.”

“I’m glad you approve,” he said deadpan. “But I wanted her to have your company, not your protection. I believed she was safe here and at the stables. Your presence here on the grounds must have inspired Taylor. I guarantee that it won’t happen again.” He was getting back on his horse. “Take them back to the manor, Belson. I need to go back and talk to the captain of the guard and do a little investigation about why they weren’t safe here today.” He whistled for Mack to follow him. Then he was gone.

Kira stood looking after him. “What’s he going to do?”

“Nothing very violent.” Belson shrugged. “Stop looking so troubled. It might be different if either of you had been hurt. But Harlan won’t be going after those bastards with anything too lethal if he doesn’t find a reason to do it. He’s not a killer like Taylor, who’s an entirely different kettle of fish. All bets are off when it comes to him.” He frowned thoughtfully. “Though probably some of the men who were firing at you during this raid just now were paid by him. I think I recognized a couple whom the military brought down. Harlan will be checking that out as soon as they’re brought to the manor dungeon.”

“Dungeon? This place actually has a dungeon?” Kira said; then she dismissed the thought as unimportant. “But I want to see what’s going on now. Fiona could have been badly hurt. Those asses certainly tried to do it. I promised I’d look out for her.”

“That’s up to Harlan now,” Belson said. “Look, Kira. There were at least four men in that group shooting at the two of you. Those are dangerous odds. Harlan has plenty of men who can go after them and keep you safe. They’re probably only being kept in the castle dungeon until Harlan decides what he wants to do with them.”

“Let her go on, Belson,” Fiona said impatiently as one of the grooms helped her to mount her palomino. “You know that Harlan will watch out for her. Besides, I want him to see her on Domino. If anyone can persuade her that my horses are worthy of her attention, it will be him. He usually manages to sway anyone the way he wants them to go.”

“Don’t you ever give up?” Kira asked in exasperation. “For heaven’s sake, you’ve just been shot at. Then I tackled you and rolled you into a ditch. I’d think you’d be a little discouraged.”

Fiona shook her head. “That’s nothing. I had worse lumps when I first started to ride. I bet you didn’t give up when you were first teaching Mack. Domino is just as worthwhile, and I have to make you see it.”

Kira shook her head. “Keep a watch on her, Belson. I’ll see you both back at the manor.” She prodded Domino, and he leaped forward at a run.

The first thing Kira noticed was that Belson had been right about the forest being full of men. Some obviously wore livery or military uniforms and belonged to the manor as employees, but there were others whose rough garb seemed to indicate they were probably Taylor’s men, now prisoners as Belson had indicated. All of their expressions appeared to be both grim and very cautious.

And then Kira stiffened as she saw a body lying by the side of the road near a massive round stone building where Harlan was talking to a guard. Blood…

The body was crumpled and there was blood on the man’s shirt.

Harlan saw her reaction, and his lips tightened as he strolled toward her. “Good morning again. I told Belson to keep an eye on the two of you. Where the hell is he?”

“With your niece. Fiona is quite safe. She had several other people watching over her, too.”

“Exactly my intention. So then why are you here?”

“I wanted to see what was going on. I believe I was shot at today, and so was Fiona. You told me that your manor was safe, and Belson told me the same thing. And yet I’m looking at a body and blood…” She had to swallow. “Quite a bit of blood on that body. Is he dead?”

“Very.”