Journeyman

by Heather Atkinson

  Raven pulled the smoke device back out of her pocket, activated it and tossed it behind them as they ran, the curtain of smoke offering them some protection. The driver of the vehicle, unable to see, hit the brakes, enabling them to get ahead.

  Anticipating Silas could be here, they’d both brought handguns. Finally they had an opportunity to draw them and fire at the vehicle. They couldn’t see the result of their handiwork but they heard the bullets slamming into metal and smashing glass.

  “We need to get out of here,” said Raven.

  “We need to finish off Silas,” retorted Damon.

  “The cottage just exploded. Any minute emergency services could come charging up the hill.”

  They looked back over their shoulders when there was the roar of an engine. The vehicle burst through the curtain of smoke, forcing them to leap aside, Raven managing to glimpse Silas’s big furious scarred face through the empty space where the windscreen had been. She tripped over a branch and fell, avoiding the grille of the vehicle in her face by rolling beneath a heavy log, scrabbling backwards as the vehicle reversed before slamming into it again, splintering it. Raven shot out one of the front tyres but it made no difference to Silas’s determination. He hit the accelerator again, smashing the log in two. Spying Damon sneaking around the back, Silas fired over his shoulder, smashing the rear window, sending Damon scurrying for cover.

  All three of them momentarily froze when they heard approaching sirens. Raven took advantage of the moment to pull another device out of her pocket and hurl it onto the bonnet of the Land Rover. Unfortunately the light that shot out of it didn’t blind Silas as she’d intended because he’d ducked down behind the dash to avoid Damon’s bullets.

  “Let’s go,” Raven yelled at her brother.

  “But we’re so close.”

  “The shots will have been heard. We can’t get caught here.”

  He couldn’t argue with this impeccable logic. Firing a couple of warning shots through the cab of the Land Rover he and Raven ran off, vanishing into the trees just as a police car tore up the road to the cottage.

  “Where’s Silas going?” said Damon as they raced through the trees.

  Glancing over her shoulder she saw the Land Rover tearing a path downhill through the trees, one wheel grinding alarmingly before hitting a single track road that took him around the village and away from it. “He’s gone.”

  Damon glanced over his shoulder and sighed. “For fuck’s sake, I can’t believe he got away.”

  They delved into more pine forest, so thick it felt as though night had drawn in early. They were only able to negotiate their way back to Glendale thanks to Raven’s compass.

  “Don’t tell me you carry a compass around?” he said, swearing as he tripped over a tree root.

  “I do when I’m hiking on the moors at home. It just takes some unexpected bad weather to make you lose your way. Listen, you hear that?”

  “The only thing I can hear is the sound of my own despair and disappointment. Not only did we let the bastard get away but we’re no closer to finding Dad.”

  “At least we know he’s not here. We should have stuck to our plan to search the east side of the island. I’m sure that’s where he is. Silas wanted to take us out before we could find him.”

  “Maybe,” he muttered. “For fuck’s sake,” he added when he tripped up again. “These bloody trees have got it in for me.”

  “We’re here,” she said as it suddenly lightened around them, the canopy of trees thinning out. “Try and look calm, like we’ve just been for a ramble across the hills. Hopefully we’ll get back to the car without encountering anyone.”

  The village did indeed appear to be deserted as Raven and Damon meandered their way back to the car, everyone heading up the hill to see what was going on. The village had a volunteer fire service, so a lot of the locals were occupied with that.

  “Thank God for that,” said Raven as they got into the car without being challenged. “Let’s get out of here.”

  They set off, heading for the road that would take them back to the east side of the island when they were flagged down by a police officer standing in the middle of the road.

  “Just take it easy,” Raven told Damon, conscious of the guns they both carried. If only they hadn’t been in such a rush to leave the village they could have stowed the weapons back in the bag in the hidden compartment in the boot. She wound down her window and smiled. “Hello Officer.”

  “Hello Miss,” said the officer, crouching down by her window. Raven noted he was shivering against the weather, so hopefully he wouldn’t detain them for long. “There was an incident ten minutes ago.”

  “Is that what that bang was?” she said with as much innocence as she could muster.

  “Yes, a cottage exploded. Witnesses even mentioned hearing gunshots.”

  “Gunshots?” she gasped.

  He looked from her to Damon. “I’ve not seen you two about here before.”

  “We’re touring the island,” she replied. “We’re into hiking. The scenery around Glendale is so spectacular.”

  He smiled with pride. “I think every day how lucky I am to live in this beautiful place.”

  Raven nudged Damon when he released a yuck sound.

  “Has anyone been hurt?” she asked the officer.

  “So far we’ve not found anyone but we’re combing the area. Fortunately the cottage was empty when it exploded. Between you and me I don’t think it was gunshots, I think something was in that house that made a popping sound when the heat hit it. I mean, can you imagine anyone having a gunfight around here?” he chuckled.

  Raven and Damon laughed nervously.

  “So where are you headed now?” said the officer.

  “To the north east side of the island,” she replied. “We’ve not explored there yet.”

  “It’s nice but not as nice as our lovely west side. Can I see your driving licence please?”

  Her eyes widened. “Why, am I in trouble?”

  “No Miss but we do need to make a note of who’s in the area.”

  “Of course,” she said, producing the licence in the name of one of her aliases from the glove box and holding it out to him.

  The officer studied it before handing it back to her. “Thank you Mrs Leighton.” He looked to Damon. “Could I see yours please Sir?”

  “I don’t drive.”

  “Oh,” he replied, a little non-plussed, never having received this reply before. “Really?”

  Damon nodded. “When I was a kid I nearly died in a car accident that killed my mum and I swore I’d never drive.”

  “Ah,” said the officer, the mention of a death encouraging him not to press the issue, as Damon had known it would. “Do you have any other form of identification?”

  He shrugged. “Will a bank card do?”

  “Any photo ID?”

  “No, sorry,” he replied, not looking in the least bit apologetic.

  “Are you two related?” said the officer.

  “He’s my husband,” said Raven, taking Damon’s hand.

  “So he’s Mr Leighton?”

  They both nodded.

  “Well, that all seems to be in order,” he said, conscious of the cars queuing up behind them, unable to pass and the need for free movement of the emergency service vehicles. “If you see anything suspicious then please contact the nearest police station.”

  “We will,” smiled Raven.

  The officer smiled back at her, a little smitten. “Thank you for your time.”

  “You’re welcome,” she replied, giving him a wink before winding up the window.

  “Thank Christ for that,” sighed Damon as they finally left Glendale behind.

  “We were lucky then. Thank God he didn’t put much store in the reports of gunshots. To be fair, that’s something that’s probably unheard of up here, apart from hunters.”

  Ringing filled the air from Raven’s phone, which was connected to the car’s bluetoo
th. “It’s Aidan,” she said, glancing at the car’s touch screen. “It’s lucky he didn’t call when we were talking to that copper.”

  “Raven,” he said when she answered. “My flight was delayed but I’m finally in Scotland. I’ve hired a car and I’m about to pass through Inverness. I should be on Skye in a couple of hours, as long as no cretins get in my way.” There was the sound of a car horn and Aidan’s angry voice yelled, “It’s sixty on this road you fucking cock. You’d better put your foot down, it’s lunchtime, your mummy’s waiting at home with her tit out.”

  Damon sniggered.

  Raven explained what had just happened with Silas, inducing a violent bout of swearing.

  “Are you okay?” said Damon.

  “Me and Damon are both okay,” she replied. “But we lost Silas and we still have no idea where One Eye is. We’re heading up to the north east side of the island, it’s the only area we’ve not searched yet.”

  “I’ll call you when I’m on the island so we can meet up.”

  “I can’t wait,” mumbled Damon, grimacing when Raven jabbed her elbow into his ribs. Fortunately he’d said it too quietly for Aidan to hear.

  “Okay babe, see you soon,” said Raven, ending the call before Damon said something to annoy Aidan. If they were going to be successful in finding One Eye and eradicating Silas it was vital they worked together. With the animosity between Aidan and Damon, that was going to be a big ask.

  CHAPTER 15

  One Eye spent the rest of the day in the B&B, resting and trying to get back to full strength. Any moment he could be attacked by Silas or arrested and he wasn’t sure which was preferable. Helen and Simon intermittently returned with reports about the attitude of the locals towards him. By late afternoon it seemed the village was split - half thought him guilty of Bess’s murder, the other half thought Duncan was guilty. Alan had shut himself away in the kitchen, baking his solace when he experienced any form of stress. Being married to Cherie it was little wonder the aroma of baked bread and scones permanently permeated the house. Cherie was flitting about the place doing housework. A cleaner came once a week to do the heavy duty chores but Cherie had very exacting standards and often redid the work the cleaner had done.

  Therefore, One Eye had been trapped with Frederick and his endless photos for most of the day, so Helen and Simon’s interruptions were most welcome.

  Four o’clock came around. Helen and Simon had retreated when Frederick returned with yet another photo album. One Eye was on the verge of falling asleep when the sound of an engine roused him.

  “Hello, who’s this?” said Frederick.

  One Eye forced his eye open and looked to the window to see a bright red car roll to a halt outside.

  “That motor looks far too sporty to be a police officer’s,” commented Frederick.

  One Eye knew exactly who that car belonged to and he was both glad and a little apprehensive to see it. His suspicions were confirmed when a tall, slender man with short bright red hair climbed out.

  After taking a small suitcase out of the boot the newcomer meandered up the path to the front door. One Eye and Frederick listened to the muffled sound of Cherie greeting the visitor, her flirtatious giggle echoing through the building. He tended to have that effect on women. This was followed by the tramp of feet upstairs.

  “Fresh blood,” smiled Frederick, closing the photograph album, to One Eye’s eternal gratitude. “Right, I need to go and get changed. A yellow-browed warbler has been spotted and I want to get into the hide before it gets dark.”

  “Enjoy,” said One Eye, relieved he was off to bore the local wildlife to death instead.

  Five minutes after Frederick had gone the red-haired man walked into the lounge, cunning green eyes annoyingly twinkling with amusement.

  Neither of them spoke until he’d closed the door behind him.

  “Well, well, well,” began the red-haired man. “You’ve really landed yourself in it this time One Eye.”

  “Thank you for coming Luke,” he replied, extending his hand.

  “Oh my pleasure,” he said, shaking his hand, grin wicked. “I wouldn’t have missed this for the world. Before coming here I stopped by the pub for a warming whisky. The landlord couldn’t wait to tell me all the local gossip. You’ve even got your own cool nickname, Wild Man. What did you do to make them think you’re so wild?”

  “I think the term referred to my appearance. I fell and I was covered in mud and leaves.”

  “How disappointing. I had images of you ravishing the local women and indulging your baser instincts in general and don’t pretend you don’t have any because I know you do.” Luke’s sharp eyes noted his limp and the fact that he was leaning on a crutch. “How did you do that?”

  “I fell down an embankment.”

  “And how did that happen?”

  “I was in the woods, slipped and fell.”

  “And why were you in the woods?” His lips curled into a smile when One Eye’s single eye flickered with annoyance. “Best just tell me, eh? I can’t help unless I know.”

  “Very well,” he announced grandly. “I was being chased.”

  “I already figured that one out. By who?”

  “Our old friend Silas Hagen.” It was One Eye’s turn to smile. “I thought that would wipe the smirk off your face.”

  “He died in the fire…”

  “No he didn’t. He’s very much alive and well, if scarred. And very pissed off.”

  “Have you seen him since?”

  “Yes. He got up close and personal with my bedroom window.”

  “Then let’s get out of here before he makes his move.”

  “No. This time we finish him for good. I’m so tired of looking over my shoulder.”

  “You want to take on Silas, seriously?”

  “And why not? No one is invincible. We learnt that long ago.”

  “Fine, if you insist,” he sighed.

  “Anyway, I can’t leave now for another reason.”

  “And what’s that?”

  “There was a murder yesterday and everyone seems to think I did it. Well, nearly everyone.”

  Luke spluttered with laughter. “Oh that is priceless.”

  “I thought that would entertain you and I don’t believe the landlord didn’t tell you about it. Landlords love a good gossip.”

  “Actually he did but I wanted to hear it from you. Like all gossips he can’t be trusted to tell the truth.”

  “I would like to clear my name before I leave. If I go now everyone will think I’m guilty, a manhunt might even ensue.”

  “You mean catch the culprit? That could be fun.”

  “And I’m going to require your assistance.”

  “Why not? I’ve never solved a murder before. I’m usually too busy perpetrating them.”

  “There’s a first time for everything.”

  “Have you got a plan?”

  “No but I’m working on it.”

  “I’ve never known you not have a plan before.”

  “I do have a plan, it’s just not fully worked out yet. And call me Nik here please, not One Eye.”

  They both went silent when the door opened and in bounded Frederick like a big, eager puppy, all wrapped up in his outdoor gear. “Oh hello, is this the newcomer?”

  “What? Oh you mean me,” said Luke. “Yes, I’m staying for a few days.” He held out his hand. “The name’s Luke.”

  “Frederick,” he replied, accepting his hand. “And what brings you to this neck of the woods?”

  “Oh just passing through.”

  “Sightseeing?”

  “You could say that,” replied Luke with an amused smile.

  “I’m here to photograph the local wildlife, which really is quite spectacular. Would you like to see my photographs?”

  “God no,” he said before he could catch himself.

  Frederick’s jaw trembled with indignation. “You wouldn’t?”

  “Sorry, that sounded a bi
t rude. I just meant not right now. It’s been a long journey and I could do with a lie down. Nik here however was telling me how much he loves your work and he can’t wait to see more.”

  Luke grinned when One Eye’s single blue eye turned ice cold.

  “I’d better go and finish unpacking,” added Luke cheerfully before rushing out of the room.

  “This is wonderful,” said Frederick. “I knew you enjoyed looking at my work Nik but I’d no idea you held such passion for it. I’ll make sure to show you the images I capture tonight, hopefully of the yellow-browed warbler.”

  As he too rushed out, One Eye sighed and shook his head. Luke had a habit of bringing chaos with him wherever he went. Who knew what hell he was going to unleash on this small, unsuspecting village. He hoped he hadn’t made a mistake bringing him here. Still, he was quick-witted and cunning and he was on his side. Right now he needed all the help he could get.

  A tired and bedraggled Raven and Damon arrived in Uig just as it was getting dark. Both were exhausted and a little sore after their encounter with Silas. They thought themselves fortunate to be alive, there weren’t many who’d survived violent clashes with Silas Hagen.

  After wearily doing the rounds of places to stay as part of their search for One Eye, they found a nice hotel that used to be a coaching inn with two rooms available. Damon took a single room while Raven booked a double, excited about Aidan’s imminent arrival. He’d called again to say he was finally on the island after being delayed by a traffic jam on the mainland. He should arrive within the hour and she couldn’t wait to see him.

  Raven and Damon had been a little alarmed to discover there was a port on Uig with ferry links to the islands of Harris and Uist. They’d questioned the staff in the ticket office who couldn’t recall seeing One Eye but they couldn’t be one hundred percent certain he hadn’t caught the ferry. The last thing they wanted to do was scour another two islands. Even if he had gone to Uist or Harris, from there he could be anywhere in the Outer Hebrides and the thought filled them with dismay.

  They’d just sat down to dinner in the quiet, cosy hotel restaurant when Aidan arrived. He looked stronger than ever, short dark hair stuck up in places, green-blue eyes that changed colour according to his mood tired but twinkling. Raven leapt up to greet him, flinging her arms around his neck.