Danger on the Loch by Paige Edwards

Author:Paige Edwards
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: photographer;photography;DNA test;family;family problems;Scotland;Highlands;lady;duke;castle;camera;rags-to-riches;romantic suspense;suspense
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.
Published: 2021-03-02T17:22:15+00:00

Chapter 22

They had Lunga all to themselves. James hiked up to the next meadow and headed for Harp’s Rock, making sure to stay back from the myriad burrows lacing the cliffs. The rock faces were stained white in the steep gorge. The place had to be crawling with birds each spring and summer. Right now, only the lonely calls of gulls and geese made themselves heard.

Paisley joined him and set up her camera to take a few random shots to check her lighting. He wandered off a dozen yards, his eyes on the small skerry between Lunga and the next isle to the north.

Bending over a clump of sea pinks, Paisley adjusted her lens, absorbed in the task.

Was that a helicopter? What would tourists be doing there? The small spit of land had nothing to recommend it unless the seal colony had moved locations.

“Hey, Paise?”

“Yes?”

“Did you bring your telephoto lens with you?” That got her attention.

She lifted her head. “I did.”

“I think the seal colony is on that little skerry just north of us. Care to check it out?”

She nodded and changed out her lens.

“I can’t tell from this distance, but a helicopter’s over there. I assume they are taking photos.” The chill wind swept over the cliff face, and James shoved his hands inside his jacket pockets.

“It’s probably a filming crew.” Careful to stay back from the puffin burrows, Paisley zoomed her lens to where he pointed. “I see seals!” she squealed.

He laughed aloud at her obvious delight, grateful he had insisted on bringing her.

“Oh my gosh.” Her forehead wrinkled. She grabbed his arm and pulled him down to the sward beside her.

“What?”

Instead of answering, she handed him the camera and pointed to where she wanted him to look.

He held the viewfinder to his eye. The helicopter was unmarked. Odd. A discordant note of uneasiness shot through him. Using the lens, he followed the shoreline until he found the seals, lying still among the rocks. He zoomed in further, focusing first on one bull, then another. Not one of them moved—not one tiny twitch.

Amongst the seals, three figures in white jumpsuits with their faces covered in gas masks sprayed a white substance into the air. A fourth man, dressed in similar attire, stood on a promontory with a pair of binoculars pressed to his gas mask, moving slowly in his and Paisley’s direction.

“Get down.” He pushed Paisley’s face into the damp turf and joined her. Whatever those men were up to, he strongly doubted it was government sanctioned. “We’ve got to get back to the boat before we’re seen.”

“I need to document this first.” Paisley reached for her camera.

She was right—they needed proof before they reported this to the authorities. With nothing but turf for cover, he and Paisley would be easily spotted if the helicopter took off. And if the wind shifted, they were in genuine danger of suffering the same fate as the sea mammals.

James raked his eyes over the terrain for another way off the cliffs while Paisley snapped a few photos on high shutter speed.

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