Part 18 (1/2)
”Anyone see you?”
”Up here? No, not a soul. Why on earth should I deface one of Jock's paintings?”
”Because maybe you suspect him of the murder of your sister.”
”That's ridiculous.”
”Is it? You must wonder who did it.”
”I don't, and do you know why? I think Effie committed suicide. She could have had that note and wine bottle ready and put it on the doorstep when I turned away to get in my car. She was always jealous of me. I think Jock's rejection of her and the shame of having been found out as a liar by the whole village must have turned her mind.”
”And you're convinced of this?”
”Absolutely.”
When Hamish left her cottage, he felt the bonnet of her car. It was warm. He turned back and looked thoughtfully at the cottage. Caro's white face glimmered back at him through the small window. But the day was unusually warm. That might explain it.
Hamish parked the Land Rover on the waterfront and was going to the police unit when he was accosted by Elspeth.
”So what's your explanation for last night?” she demanded.
”Elspeth, I'm right sorry. I forgot.”
”You were seen driving off with Betty Barnard.”
”Oh, all right, Elspeth. But I don't need to explain my movements to you.”
She studied him thoughtfully and then said, ”Do you know what your problem is? You're afraid of love. You'd rather setde for companions.h.i.+p. Does Betty know she's got serious compet.i.tion?”
”Like who?”
”Like your cat and your dog. You know what you are? You're nothing more than an old maid.”
”Get the h.e.l.l away from me,” raged Hamish, his highland vanity cut to the quick. Then he gave a malicious smile. ”So don't you think there's something up with you, hanging around and nagging someone who doesn't want you?”
Elspeth slapped him full across the face and walked off.
Hamish became aware of the curious eyes of villagers. He glared back and went into the police unit to be told that Mr. Daviot had arrived and was up at the castle with Robin and Jimmy.
He decided to go back to the police station and take Sonsie and Lugs for a walk so he could think in peace. ”And if there's some woman waiting for me,” he muttered, ”I'll strangle her.”
But he could hardly strangle his boss's wife.
With a sinking heart, he recognised the matronly figure of Mrs. Daviot waiting for him on the doorstep.
He had always considered the Daviots the very picture of a contented marriage. Mr. Daviot with his sleek grey hair, impeccably tailored suits, and smoothly shaven cheeks looked more like a successful businessman than a police superintendent. Mrs. Daviot was small and trim with dyed-brown hair in neat, permed curls and large blue eyes in a carefully made-up face.
”Come in, Mrs. Daviot,” said Hamish. ”Are you looking for your husband?”
”No, I'm looking for you.” Her voice trembled on the edge of tears.
Oh, dear, thought Hamish. She suspects something.
”Would you like some tea?”
”No, yes...well, maybe.”
”I'll take that as a yes. How can I help you?”
She sat down at the table and clasped her handbag on her lap. ”I think Peter is having an affair.”
”What makes you think that?”
”He says he's going out to some police function or other, and then I find out there was no such function. He smells of perfume. He looks excited, elated. He mutters into the phone, and if I walk into the room, he hangs up.”
”It could all just be police business, after all,” said Hamish awkwardly. He poured tea and told her to help herself to milk and sugar.
”I want you to investigate. I want you to find out who she is.”
”Its right difficult,” said Hamish. ”He is my boss. I think he'd fire me like a shot if he even guessed what I was doing.”
”Please, Hamish.” Her eyes swam with tears. ”I'm begging you.”
He sighed. ”I'll do my best.”
She opened her handbag and took out a card case. ”Here's my mobile phone number. Phone me night or day if you find out anything.”
”What will you do if it turns out to be true?”
”I'll divorce him.”
”That's a wee bit extreme. If there is something, it could just be a pa.s.sing fancy.”
”My husband,” she said grimly, ”is not allowed pa.s.sing fancies.”
After Mrs. Daviot had left, Hamish went out towards the police unit. Back from the Tommel Castle, Superintendent Daviot was standing outside, smoking a cigarette.
”Sir,” said Hamish.
”Ah, good morning. Isn't it a glorious morning, Hamish?”
”Yes, indeed, sir.”
”We must get these murders solved. I'm giving a press conference up at the hotel this evening. The press are becoming very strident.”
”Maybe some other big story will happen to take them away,” said Hamish. ”They're really more interested in political scandal than anything else these days. Do you remember that foreign minister last year who was found to be having an affair with a researcher? What a carry-on that was, and for once, the wife didn't stand by him but demanded a divorce. It was the end o' his career. You know, sir, I often wonder what makes important men throw their careers away all because of a fling.”
”Maybe he was deeply in love with her,” said Daviot, staring at Hamish.
”Not if you remember the aftermath. Because he was out of a job, he suddenly looked at her and wondered what he had ever seen in her. Of course, if he'd been philandering up here in the Highlands, everyone would have known about it from the word go. Everyone knows everyone else's business up here.”