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to get used to in Scotland, this was not one that had been at the top of the list. Of course, I’d known Scottish people drove on the other side of the road, but it seemed that fact should simply be something understood, not something that would take any sort of supreme effort to comprehend.
    The car was a Citroën, a make I recognized because my high school history teacher drove one. His was white and from the ’70s, and I thought Edwin’s blue one was also from the ’70s, but his was in much better shape. The low, curvy vehicle was made in France and always seemed like such a cool vehicle because such a cool teacher drove it. Edwin’s ownership of one only made it cooler.
    Once on the road and after I’d told myself to quit expecting the g-forces to come from the other direction I inspected my boss’s serious and handsome profile.
    I wanted to ask what was lying underneath the unspoken words in the bookshop but I couldn’t, not so soon in our new employer/employee relationship. Maybe he’d volunteer something as the day went on.
    â€œThe locations for the auctions change all the time, Delaney,” Edwin said as he guided the Citroën through a left turn. He was much less jerky with the wheel than the cabdriver Elias had been. “But we do have a favorite place. I can tell you now because we are in the auto, away from curious ears. Today we’re going tae Craig House.”
    â€œThe location’s a secret?”
    â€œAye, very much so. I can’t even tell Hamlet or Rosie, and they are two people I consider my family.” He paused, tapped his finger on his lips, and then continued. “I’ve only recently told my sister, Jenny. You’ll meet her today.”
    I mentally wrestled with the wording of my next question. Finally, I just went with the simple version. “Why hasn’t Jenny been involved in the past?”
    Edwin glanced at me briefly. “There’s a history of difficulties with my sister. She’s had some issues.” He took a deep breath. “I don’t want tae burden you with the details, but she chose a path that led her tae a life that someone like you could never imagine.”
    â€œI have a pretty good imagination, Edwin. I might have grown up on a farm, but I’ve seen a little grit and ugliness. What sort of choices did she make?” Actually, the only real grit and ugliness I’d seen was from books, television, and movies, but I hadn’t been sheltered.
    â€œDrugs. Evil workings, they are. For a long time the worst sort of drugs you can think of. Then the drugs that doctors, mostly bad doctors, prescribe.”
    â€œI see. I’m sorry.” Edwin was at least seventy. “How old is she?”
    He sent me a knowing smile. “Fifty-five, much younger than I am, but long old enough tae know better. It’s a miracle she’s made it this far. A few months back, she and I formed a sort of truce. She promised she’d left that life behind, and I told her I wanted us tae be closer, her tae be involved in my life, my business.”
    Drugs. The bad stuff and the bad prescribed stuff. I’d seen some of that, actually, and I knew that welcoming an addict, even a family member, more deeply into your life could be a challenge. But Edwin and Jenny were siblings, and bonds like that tended to thrive on the hope that trust wouldn’t end up misplaced.
    â€œHow’s it been going?” I asked.
    â€œWell,” he said doubtfully.
    I waited. He finally looked at me again.
    â€œMaybe not as well as I’d hoped,” he conceded.
    â€œI’m sorry,” I said again.
    â€œDon’t worry yourself. I’ve given her a giant responsibility.” He gulped so hard and in such an unsophisticated way that I could hear it, and I had an urge to put my hand on his arm and offer supportive words, but I didn’t do either. “I hope she doesn’t disappoint me. She and