Death of a Chimney Sweep - M. C. Beaton [64]
He then drove to Inverness airport, where he left the car. He had one fake credit card left. He did not want to use it but knew he would have to risk it. Paying an air ticket with cash might start alarm bells ringing.
When he arrived at Edinburgh airport, he felt dizzy with fever. Summoning all his energies, he took a cab to the doctor’s, burning with fever and thoughts of revenge.
Chapter Twelve
And come he slow, or come he fast,
It is but Death who comes at last.
—Sir Walter Scott
A month of frantic searching for Prosser followed. Blair, beside himself with rage, tried to blame Hamish Macbeth, and Hamish Macbeth only, for having let the man get away.
The Currie sisters were not much good as witnesses. Lauded in the press as heroines, they told a story that became ever more elaborate, while their description of Prosser grew more weird and wonderful.
There was a police guard on Milly’s house for two weeks until impatient Daviot called it off, saying it was a waste of police time.
Despite frequent visits from Ailsa and other villagers, Milly felt very alone. The long, dark winter nights where one hardly ever saw the sun added to her terror. She felt she should get away but on the other hand, where would she find such loyal friends as she had in Drim?
Her thoughts turned frequently to Tam. Had he loved her after all? How on earth could she have been so stupid as to nearly marry another bully.
Then one morning, she heard the sound of a vehicle arriving. She ran to the window and relaxed when she saw the familiar police Land Rover from Lochdubh. Then as the door on the passenger side of the Land Rover opened and the interior light of the vehicle came on, she saw Tam Tamworth getting out. She opened the door. Tam was standing there, looking sheepish. Hamish Macbeth said, “Let us in, Milly. We’ve got something to discuss with you.”
In the kitchen, Hamish took off his hat and placed it on the table. His thick flaming-red hair had grown back to its old length.
“It’s like this, Milly,” began Hamish. “Tam here really does love you. You need protection. I have a feeling that Prosser believes the money the captain took from him is still in this house. You didn’t find any sign of anything?”
“No,” said Milly, standing with her back to him at the kitchen counter and plugging in the kettle.
Hamish eyed her suspiciously. If ever a back could lie, he thought, it was Milly’s.
“If you do find the money,” he said, “you must turn it over to the authorities and get Tam here to write up the story. Prosser will see it and he will no longer have any reason to come after you.”
“I’ll let you know if I find anything” said Milly. “Coffee?”
“Grand. Now, I think you should let Tam move in here. He’s got holiday owing and he’s prepared to spend it looking after you. What do you say?”
Milly placed a jug of coffee on the table and then three cups. “Yes,” she said in a low voice. “That would be fine. Is there no news at all of Giles?”
“Not a thing. It’s my belief Prosser waylaid him, wanting him out of the way. I’ve asked again and again for the tarns and bogs to be searched but every time, they turn me down. Hasn’t he any family? I think the police asked you that and you said you didn’t know but no one has come forward asking for him. He hadn’t been married and his parents are dead. We can find no record of brothers or sisters.”
“I had begun to get the feeling he wasn’t very popular,” said Milly. “He was always running down people in his old regiment.”
“I’ll get my suitcase,” said Tam cheerfully.
When he had gone, Hamish said severely, “I’m warning you, Milly. If you find that money, you must tell me immediately. That way you will be safe.”
They