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There was a blur of movement, and Doc hit the floor as the man who looked like Fiona’s father turned the gun toward him and fired. The gunshot was deafening in the close space, and even with the earbuds, Doc knew Edith, the cook, must have heard. He rolled toward the farthest side of the desk from where Seamus and Fiona stood, using the sturdy oak as cover.

Then he popped his head up to take aim. Fiona was trying to yank free, but Seamus held her firmly as he took another wild shot at Doc.

Doc ducked again, wishing he had a better shot at taking Seamus down. If the guy turned his weapon on Fiona, it would be all over.

He peered over the edge of the desk again in time to see Rex opening the door between the office and the kitchen. Giving his boss a nod, he poked his head up farther to draw Seamus’s attention.

“You’re surrounded,” Doc said. “Throw down your weapon!”

The response was another gunshot, the bullet whistling past Doc’s ear. Then he heard a yowl of pain as Rex brought the butt of his weapon down on Seamus’s wrist. The gun clattered to the floor, and Rex had his weapon pressed against Seamus’s temple.

“Don’t move,” Rex said calmly. “Fiona, are you okay?”

Fiona finally tugged free of Seamus’s grip. The guy was stunned to realize he had in fact been surrounded. Doc stood and crossed to Fiona, pulling her into his arms.

“Are you okay? Did he hurt you?” Doc asked.

“I’m fine, but my father . . .” Her voice trailed off, then she sobbed. “I think he killed my father!”

“Is that true?” Rex demanded, pressing the barrel of the gun firmly against Seamus’s temple. “Tell me now, old man. I want to know where Liam Murphy is.”

“I’m Liam,” Seamus said in a lame attempt to continue the charade. “Fiona is confused. I’m her father.”

Fiona turned in Doc’s arms to stare at her uncle. “Stop lying! You and my father are mirror-image identical twins.” She glanced at Doc. “The only obvious difference between them is that Seamus is left-handed, while my father is right-handed.”

“I saw his gun in his left hand, didn’t you, Doc?” Rex drawled.

“Oh yeah.” Doc had not anticipated the identical twin angle. “Is the cook, Edith, okay?”

“She’s outside with Teddy, who is holding on to Patrick for me.” A gleam shone from Rex’s eyes as he continued holding his weapon on Seamus. “The police are on their way.”

“Doc, we need to know what happened to my father.” Fiona looked upset. “I think Seamus killed him. I'm not sure when or where, but I think Seamus killed my father with the intent to take over the farm as Liam Murphy.”

He tightened his arms around her. “Okay, let’s not think the worst yet. Maybe your father is out of town?”

“No, he wouldn’t leave if Fiona’s Folly was racing.” She turned to glare at her uncle. “What did you do to him? Tell me!”

“Yes, I think you should tell us.” Rex’s voice was lined with steel. He pressed the tip of the gun firmly against the older man’s temple. “If you don’t talk, there’s no reason to keep you alive, is there?”

Doc knew Rex was bluffing, but Seamus glanced over in confusion, no doubt thinking there would be no way they would kill him outright. “You can’t do that. The police are coming, right? You can’t just kill a man in cold blood.”

“Why not? You were going to kill Fiona.” Rex’s voice dropped to a threatening growl. “Any man who hurts a woman deserves to be shot. Give me a reason, old man. Just one.”

For a moment, Seamus seemed determined to tough it out. Then Rex jerked the old man down to the floor so he was on his knees.

“Where’s Liam Murphy?” Rex shouted. “This is your last chance. I can easily kill you, and my buddy here will vouch for me that I fired in self-defense.”

After another long agonizing minute, Seamus finally cracked. “Okay, he’s in the hospital. I—he’s not dead but, ah, he’s in a coma.”

“Which hospital?” Fiona asked. “Lexington Medical Center? And what happened to him?”

Seamus grimaced. “He’s in Lexington, but he was admitted under my name. He fell and hit his head.”

“He fell or you pushed him?” Fiona glared at her uncle, then turned to Doc. “I need to see my father.”

“Of course. I’ll take you as soon as the police arrive.” Doc hoped her father’s condition wasn’t as grim as Seamus indicated. He knew identical twins had the exact same DNA, but he also knew their fingerprints were unique. If either Seamus’s or Liam’s real fingerprints were on file somewhere, then they should be able to convince the authorities about Seamus’s switch.

If not, it was going to take time to sort the truth from the lies.