The men sat in the sitting room while Mari made tea in the kitchen.
Callum said, “Someone’s got to tell Nellie. I’ll not have her find out from a letter.”
Charlie was so lost in grief that he seemed not to have heard, but he looked up at Callum. “I cannae face her until I’ve made his murderer pay.”
Alex signaled for Charlie to lower his voice so Mari would not overhear him.
“I will go,” said Callum. “It makes sense for me to go. I’m a wanted man, so I cannae go to the funeral, and I cannae stay here for very long. And unless I leave Mari behind—which I willnae do—I cannae go off to avenge Hughie’s murder. So it only makes sense that I go.”
“Aye,” said Charlie, as the others gave a nod.
“I’ll tell Nellie, and I’ll take the lass home. Mari’s been through enough.”
Hearing her name, Mar
