Death of a Valentine - M. C. Beaton [51]
“It was right after the Lammas fair. His office was being decorated. He took a lot of files and the ballot box along to the bank.”
“Were any of the councillors particularly interested in Annie?”
“I don’t know. I mean, she didn’t work here.”
“What did Mr. Tarry say when you told him about her calling here for an interview?”
“It slipped my mind. The appointment wasn’t down in the diary.”
Hamish returned in the evening to his police station, feeling depressed. Josie was waiting for him outside.
“Have a good time in Perth?” asked Hamish.
“Yes, thank you. I wondered what we were going to do tomorrow.”
Hamish thought quickly. He wanted rid of her. “Come in,” he said. He led the way into the office and pointed to a large ordnance survey map on the wall. “I want you to take the Assynt Road between Lochinver and Kylesku. Drop off at each place and ask if everything is all right.”
“Can’t I help you with the murder enquiries?”
“It’s a large beat we have to cover. Leave the murder enquiries to me.”
Josie set out the following morning in a sulky mood. But her spirits rose after she left Lochinver and set out on the Assynt Road along the coast. It was a rare calm, sunny day. The Minch lay placid with large glassy waves curling on the shore. She stopped at Drumbeg for a cup of tea and a sandwich, and then stood outside in the car park and breathed in the clear air. The majestic bulk of Quinag mountain rose up to a perfectly blue sky. The majesty of the Highlands seized her for the first time.
I belong here, she thought fiercely—me and Hamish Macbeth.
By the time she reached Kylesku by Loch a’ Chairn Bhain and swept over the new road in the direction of Lairg, she was determined to do everything she could to capture Hamish.
It never entered her mind again that the way to Hamish’s heart might be through some diligent police work. She had not asked at any of the villages along the coast if anyone had anything to report.
By the time early night had fallen, she pulled to the side of the road, her heart beating hard. She fished in her handbag for the half bottle of whisky she had bought earlier and sat drinking and dreaming. She had the two bottles of laudanum with her. When she returned to Lochdubh, if the police station was empty, she would doctor a glass of whisky. If Hamish arrived while she was in the police station, she would simply say that she had called to report on her day.
With a lurch in her stomach, she realised she had not talked to anyone in any of the villages. She could only hope Hamish would not ask for names.
Josie arrived back in Lochdubh at six o’clock. Everyone was indoors having high tea.
She parked at the manse and made her way over the fields at the back to the police station. It was dark and empty. She let herself in, praying that Hamish’s pets were out somewhere. She was in luck. Nothing moved in the silence of the police station. She switched on a pencil torch and took out a fresh bottle of whisky. She took down a glass, put in a generous measure of whisky, and then poured laudanum into the glass and stirred it up.
Then she concealed herself at the side of the henhouse, waiting for Hamish to come home.
She heard the cat flap bang. She hoped one of the animals wouldn’t come out again, sensing her presence. But Sonsie and Lugs were used to Josie by now and knew her smell and didn’t bother to investigate.
The night was becoming frosty and she shivered, hoping Hamish would not be too long.
She heard the Land Rover drive up and Hamish’s voice saying, “Come in, Elspeth. I couldnae believe my eyes when I saw you up at the hotel.”
Elspeth followed Hamish into the kitchen. “I’ll just go into the office and see if there are any messages,” said Hamish.
“I am so tired,” said Elspeth. “I drove all the way from Glasgow. I had to get away.”
“Be with you in a minute,” called Hamish. “There’s a message here from one of my suspects.”
Elspeth sat down wearily at the table. She picked up the glass of whisky and began to drink it. When she finished it, she rinsed out the glass and put it away.
“I’ll light