Journeyman

by Heather Atkinson

  “Makes sense. So shall we take a look up there?”

  “Whoever it was will be long gone by now and I don’t want to go up there in the dark and risk trampling vital evidence. However we do need to confirm that we don’t have a violent individual roaming around with a knife.”

  “So we’re going up there?”

  Campbell nodded. “We are.”

  Connell’s eyes gleamed with excitement.

  Cherie grew increasingly drunk and loud as the evening wore on, flirting shamelessly with Luke, who appeared to enjoy the attention.

  One Eye was surprised Alan didn’t punch Luke in the face, he was so obviously responding to her overtures but he looked lost in his own world. Had he been having an affair with Bess? Or was he thinking about something else altogether? He wondered how he could find out.

  Connell became increasingly nervous the closer they got to the glamping site. If Campbell was uneasy he showed no sign, marching on determinedly. He must have been in good shape because he hadn’t even got out of breath. Connell might have been ten years younger but he was struggling to keep pace with his long-legged stride up the steep hill.

  “The glamping site’s just here,” panted Connell, pointing to a path leading to the left.

  They followed it, their torches lighting the way.

  “The wigwams are there,” said Connell when the path forked into two.

  “Wait,” said Campbell, grabbing his arm and pulling him back when Connell attempted to charge on ahead. “Our mysterious shadow man might still be here.”

  Connell shuddered, wishing he hadn’t used the creepy term ‘shadow man’. He followed the older man’s lead, keeping low as they crept up to the wigwams, the curved wooden huts silhouetted eerily against the torchlight. His heart raced as he jumped at every shadow, unable to understand how Stan could tolerate it up here alone in the dark. No wonder he needed to carry a hip flask full of whisky.

  “Here, look,” said Campbell, casting the torch onto a section of ground behind the last wigwam. “Right where Stan said they would be.”

  Connell looked to the patch of ground illuminated against the rest where two enormous footprints clearly stood out in the soft damp ground. “Bloody hell, they must be at least…I don’t know…size fourteen maybe, if shoes go up to that size.”

  “And they’re definitely human, so at least we’re not dealing with a bear.”

  “I think a bear would be preferable to an armed man with feet that size.”

  “Well there’s no sign of him up here. Let’s go back to the pub.”

  “Do you think this big-footed stranger could have killed Bess?”

  “Perhaps but remember, assume nothing. We don’t know who our mystery man is. For all we know he was holding a tent peg rather than a knife and simply wanted to ask Stan if he had a place to sleep for the night. The footprints tell us someone was present but it tells us nothing of their intentions. We’ll come back up when it’s light, we might find more evidence to tell us what’s really going on.”

  As they tramped back down the hill the reassuring lights of the pub homed into view, making Connell feel infinitely better. “So, when are you going to speak to the main suspects?”

  “Tomorrow,” replied Campbell. “Let them relax for now and think they’re in the clear. When people think the danger has passed they make stupid mistakes.”

  “Good idea Sir,” smiled Connell. He was learning so much from this man.

  CHAPTER 17

  Helen ushered her drunken mother on ahead of the rest of the group as they all headed back to the B&B, casting glares over her shoulder at Luke who had deliberately plied Cherie with drink all evening for his own amusement. He did find drunk people very entertaining.

  “I wouldn’t get on the wrong side of Helen if I were you,” One Eye told him.

  “What can that pale thin thing do to me?”

  “You of all people should know that a woman is capable of inflicting on a man torments he’s never dreamed of.”

  “Why, does she have a goat?” he chuckled.

  One Eye tutted. “Your goat obsession is disturbing.”

  “Relax, I was only having some fun and I didn’t force the alcohol down Cherie’s throat, she was a very willing recipient.”

  “Just try and behave yourself, for once in your life.”

  “Does behaving myself mean I can’t have any fun now?”

  “Not your sort of fun.”

  “I don’t know why I came, I was very happy kicking about in Denmark. I thought this would be a good adventure but as usual you’re imposing all your rules and restrictions.”

  “I’m trying to avoid us both being lynched by the locals, unless that’s how you’d like to end your days? Strung up from a lamppost by a group of farmers and jealous husbands?”

  “At least it would be exciting. If you had your way I’d die in bed of terminal boredom, aged and feeble.”

  “I really do appreciate you coming out here Luke but if we’re going to survive you must do this my way. Come on, you owe me after the last debacle we ended up in together in Norway.”

  Luke’s lips pursed. “That wasn’t my fault.”

  “You started that fight.”

  “From what I remember your old friend Silas turned up and nearly killed us all.”

  “What are you two squabbling about back there?” said Frederick, turning to look at them over his shoulder.

  “We’re not squabbling,” replied One Eye. “We’re having a heated discussion about politics.”

  “Oh dear, never a good idea. Politics and money, the great dividers. Let’s find a less controversial subject to discuss. You see that?” he said, pointing to the sky.

  “It’s the moon,” said Luke in a bored tone.

  “I mean what’s flitting around it?”

  “An over-excitable moth?” he sighed.

  “No,” replied Frederick, as though he were a simple child. “It’s a bat. Pipistrellus Pipistrellus.”

  “You just said the same name twice,” said Luke coolly.

  “That’s its accepted name,” said Frederick rather smugly. “More commonly known as the Pipistrelle bat.”

  “How absolutely delightful,” yawned Luke.

  “The further north and west you go the less common bats get,” continued Frederick, oblivious to the fact that neither of his companions were interested. “Small things pipistrelles, their bodies only grow up to five centimetres long, although their wingspans are twenty three centimetres, which is fortunate or we’d barely be able to see them at all.”

  “Wouldn’t that be a tragedy,” sighed Luke.

  “Well look at that,” gasped Frederick.

  “What now?” said Luke, rolling his eyes. “Have you seen a rampant badger? Or perhaps a squirrel who’s lost their nuts?”

  One Eye released an undignified snort.

  “No,” replied Frederick, oblivious to the teasing, continuing to gaze up at the night sky. “It’s a pair of ravens.”

  One Eye’s head snapped upwards, able to make out the birds soaring through the sky. He scanned his surroundings. Silas must be near.

  “Ravens aren’t usually nocturnal birds,” continued Frederick, watching them frolic through the air.

  “So?” said Luke.

  “Well, it’s unusual.” Frederick tore his gaze off the birds to look at Luke. “Ravens are absolutely fascinating. Did you know they’re as intelligent as dolphins and chimpanzees? They’re wonderful mimics too, as good as parrots. One could indeed croak ‘nevermore’ just like the Raven in Edgar Allan Poe’s poem. A pair of ravens will mate for life too.” He nodded up at the black shadows flitting through the air. “Those two are probably a mated pair. Unlike other birds they can use sophisticated non-vocal gestures too, behaviour that hasn’t been observed in any other bird.”

  “I went travelling through Denmark,” said Luke with a wicked grin. “Did you know that over there they believe night ravens are exorcised spirits and if you look up
at them and one has a hole in its wing and you look through the hole you’ll turn into a raven yourself?”

  Frederick looked back at Luke, eyes wide. “I’ve never heard that before.”

  “It’s a common belief over there. Let’s hope one of those ravens doesn’t have a hole in its wing or tomorrow morning we might find you gone, a single black feather left behind in your place.”

  Luke’s grin increased when Frederick wrapped his arms around himself. “Well, it’s late and I’m cold. I’d better get inside.”

  Luke chuckled as Frederick raced off in the direction of the B&B, catching up with Cherie, Helen and Alan, keeping his gaze firmly fixed on the ground.

  “Silly superstitious bastard,” said Luke. “Handy to know though. If he tries to corner us with his photo albums we can come up with some myth to scare the shit out of him.”

  “We’d better get inside too,” said One Eye, limping on ahead. “Silas is close.”

  “That was him up at the glamping site, wasn’t it? It wasn’t a bear that idiot saw.”

  “It was Silas alright.”

  Luke hurried to catch him up. “I’ve no wish to encounter him tonight. I’ve had a very pleasant evening and he’d only spoil it.”

  “Have you brought any weapons?”

  “Of course,” he said, opening his jacket to reveal the knife tucked into his belt.

  “Is that it?”

  “No but I left the other thing in my room, I didn’t think it wise to carry a gun when there’s a pair of police officers sniffing about.”

  “Yes, you’re probably right.”

  “Do you have any weapons?”

  “No, I lost them, apart from a small knife and a few of my special devices.” He scowled at Luke when he tutted and shook his head.

  “What is it?” said Luke when One Eye hesitated by the forest beside the B&B.

  “He’s in there,” replied One Eye, nodding at the trees.

  “Silas?”

  “Yes.”

  “Let’s get inside,” said Luke. “I’m not tackling him when the only back-up I have is an old man with a limp.”

  “I am not old,” retorted One Eye.

  “That’s a matter of perspective.”

  “Come on,” said One Eye.

  “Why hasn’t he struck yet?” said Luke as they returned to the B&B.

  “Silas has tried to kill me so many times I’ve lost count, all because of a feud that started in Norway years ago. This time he wants to choose his moment carefully and ensure he gets it right. Before he’s always ruined it by being impetuous. And I’ve made sure I’m always surrounded by people.”

  “He’ll be going insane with frustration, well, even more insane than he already is. It’ll make him reckless.”

  “Good, that might give us the advantage.”

  “Why haven’t you called in Damon or the lovely Raven?”

  “I don’t want my children anywhere near Silas.”

  “I can understand that but they both possess certain abilities that would be very useful.”

  “I’m not dragging them into it. End of story.”

  Luke held up his hands. “Alright, take it easy. Probably for the best anyway as neither of them are particularly fond of me, although Raven does find me entertaining.”

  “Are you two coming in or what?” Helen called to them from the front door. “You’re letting in a draught.”

  “Sorry,” said One Eye as he finally stepped inside the house, Luke following and closing the door, both men relieved to see Helen lock it behind them.

  “You sure you two don’t know each other?” she said, frowning at them. “That looked to be a very intense conversation.”

  “Nope,” replied Luke. “We just get on very well. Have you never met someone for the first time and felt you’ve known them your entire life?”

  “No,” she replied, his charming smile and twinkling green eyes having zero effect on her.

  “Oh,” he said, a little non-plussed that his charms were failing to work their usual magic.

  “I think that you got nervous about being accused of murder,” continued Helen, looking at One Eye. “And that you called in your friend as back-up but you can’t admit it because that would imply your memory has returned, which I think never actually went in the first place. It was an excuse to stop Connell prying into why you were found lying in a heap in the middle of the road.”

  “We don’t need that fool constable or that big aggressive detective to solve the murder Nik,” smiled Luke. “I do believe Helen is capable of doing it all by herself.”

  “Alright, I admit it,” said One Eye, knowing denial would be fruitless and suspicious. “My memory has returned and I did call in Luke here for back-up but I’m only trying to protect myself. I never hurt Bess.”

  “I don’t believe for a second that you did.”

  “We’re going to find who did though,” said Luke. “Want to help?”

  “I’m not sure that’s wise,” said One Eye. “It could get dangerous.”

  “I’m not scared,” she retorted. “And I want to help. This place is so boring.”

  “There you go,” said Luke. “She wants to help and she’s smart.”

  “And if you don’t let me help I’ll tell Connell your memory’s returned Nik,” she said.

  “That my dear is blackmail.”

  “Yep,” she grinned.

  Luke chuckled. “I like her,” he told One Eye. “Let her help.”

  “As you wish,” sighed One Eye. “But you must follow my lead on this, both of you. Understood?”

  They smiled and nodded, not convincing him in the slightest.

  It had been heaven for Raven to wake up in her husband’s arms that morning. Now she was just pissed off. Both Aidan and Damon had made for the front passenger side door of her car and now they were arguing about who had the honour to sit next to her.

  “She’s my wife,” snarled Aidan.

  “And she’s my sister,” retorted Damon. “We’ve been working together to find Dad for days and you expect to swan in here and take the front seat, leaving me in the back like the little kid.”

  “You’re acting like a little kid now.”

  “So are you.”

  Raven knew it was time she intervened when they started shoving each other. She got between them and held them apart at arm’s length.

  “Enough the pair of you,” she said. “If you don’t start behaving like grown-ups I’ll drive off and leave you both here and you can sort yourselves out. Would you like that?”

  “No,” they muttered like naughty children.

  “I didn’t think so. Now, if you can’t agree who goes in the front you’ll have to share instead. So I propose Damon sits in the front until we get to the next village then Aidan can sit in the front to the village after that and so on. You can’t say any fairer than that.”

  “I’m not sharing with him,” retorted Damon, folding his arms across his chest. Aidan’s hard look said the same thing.

  “Right,” said Raven, getting into the driver’s seat and slamming the door shut. She locked the two front doors but left open the two rear doors. “You want to behave like kids you get treated like kids,” she called to them through the window. “You can both sit in the back.”

  “I’m not sitting with him,” said Aidan, tugging at the front passenger door. “Come on babe,” he said through the glass. “Open up.”

  “You sit nicely in the back or you get left behind. Your choice.”

  “I came all the way from Bosnia for this?”

  “No, you came to help find One Eye, which we’re not doing because you two are too busy arguing.”

  “I’m not sitting in the back with him.”

  “Fine,” she said, starting the engine and putting the car into gear.

  “Okay, okay,” he said, leaping into the back while Damon hopped into the other side as she started to pull away.

  Sullen silence filled the car. Raven glanced in
the rear-view mirror to see the two men throwing glares at each other.

  “If you start fighting in my car I will throw you out and leave you both behind and that’s a promise,” she told them.

  They knew Raven didn’t make a promise she wasn’t willing to keep, so this was no idle threat.

  She was well aware what the source of their animosity was, what it had always been - Damon was attracted to her and Aidan resented him for it, especially as he spent so much time away. Raven had told him repeatedly that Damon was like a brother to her and would never be anything more but his insecurities found it hard to accept.

  “Right,” she smiled. “On to Staffin.”

  “What’s Staffin?” said Aidan.

  “It’s a village,” replied Damon as though he were simple.

  “You got any more detail than that? Didn’t think so,” said Aidan when he remained silent.

  “It’s lucky I did the research,” said Raven. “Staffin is famous for the Old Man of Storr.”

  “Who’s he?” said Aidan.

  Damon snorted. “It’s not a man, it’s a rock in the shape of an old man.”

  “Well excuse me for not knowing every geological formation on the face of the planet.”

  “It’s a popular place to walk,” said Raven. “One Eye might have been drawn there. We check the village. If he’s not there he could be in Flodigarry or Kilmuir. After that it’s Caillte then the Atlantic ocean.”

  “Then we’d better hope he’s in one of those places,” said Aidan.

  “No shit,” said Damon.

  “You’re really getting on my nerves,” snapped Aidan.

  “Shut the fuck up the pair of you,” snapped Raven. “What’s changed? Last night it seemed you were both determined to get along, for One Eye’s sake as well as mine.”

  “That’s until he tried to take my place in the front seat,” said Damon.

  “And before he started acting like a big kid,” said Aidan.

  “I meant it about leaving you both behind,” she said. “If your falling out leads to anything bad happening to One Eye I will never forgive either of you.”

  This finally chastened them and they hung their heads. Aidan decided it was time to be the bigger man, for his wife’s sake. He held out his hand to Damon. “Sorry.”