Journeyman

by Heather Atkinson

  “Well we didn’t. He have muesli, he leave to look for birds or animals or something. I stay in dining room with Luke, you ask him. Then Nik come into dining room and we not leave.”

  “She’s telling the truth,” said Luke, coming up behind Campbell, making him jump.

  “Jesus,” he exclaimed. “Have you been there all that time, listening in?”

  “Not listening in. I happened to come downstairs and here you were. I’d no idea it was anything official.”

  “Well it is and you had no right to listen in…”

  “Alright, don’t get on your high horse. It’s fortunate I did overhear anyway because I can save you some time. Myself and Saskia were in the dining room the whole time. Nik joined us, then Helen and Simon and we all cooked breakfast together in the kitchen. Alan returned to the dining room, Helen and Simon left for a walk then Helen returned to tell us that she’d found Frederick dead. End of story. If you’re looking for a suspect here you’re looking in the wrong place.”

  “Told you,” smiled One Eye, emerging from the doorway of the lounge.

  “You were listening in too?” demanded Campbell.

  “To be fair, this is the hallway of a public building. You should have taken them somewhere more private if you didn’t want anyone overhearing.”

  Campbell’s face turned puce with anger as he regarded them all. “Something funny’s going on here. You three happen to show up just as there’s two murders. I don’t for a moment believe that you don’t know each other. One foot wrong from any of you and I’ll nick you all. Is that understood?”

  They smiled and nodded.

  “Right, that’s all, for now,” said Campbell, running a hand through his hair. “Don’t go leaving the village, any of you.”

  “We’ve no intention of doing so,” said One Eye.

  “No way,” said Luke. “It’s so exciting around here,” he added, making Saskia roll her eyes.

  Campbell glared at them all again before heading upstairs to Frederick’s room.

  “Wow,” grinned Luke. “Who do you think did it?”

  “No idea,” said One Eye.

  “At least Frederick won’t be bothering us again with his photos.”

  “That’s a little callous, don’t you think?”

  “My Nik, you are getting soft in your old age,” he said with another of his infuriating smiles.

  One Eye nodded them both into the lounge and shut the door. “We can’t allow this to distract us from our real purpose and that is to get rid of Silas,” he whispered.

  “But we’re suspects,” whispered back Luke. “So we do need to try and find out who really did it.”

  “After we’ve taken care of Silas.”

  “Could he have done this?”

  “No,” said One Eye. “It was just like Bess’s murder, too calm and controlled. Silas is a walking volcano. These murders were committed by a walking iceberg.”

  “It wasn’t me,” said Saskia when they both looked at her. “I have no reason to hurt the silly little man.”

  “I didn’t think it was you for a moment,” said One Eye, patting her hand. “Although we are looking for someone with your cool, level head. Dammit, this is the last thing we need. We were going to spring our trap for Silas tonight and now we’re going to have the police sniffing round.”

  “They’ll have packed up and buggered off by then,” said Luke.

  “Campbell will still be here.”

  “He won’t know anything. We need to go ahead and get this sorted before Silas really does end up hurting one of the villagers.”

  “Yes, you’re right,” said One Eye. “We sort out Silas then hopefully find who killed Bess and Frederick.”

  “Exciting,” grinned Luke, green eyes gleaming. “What if it’s a serial killer?”

  “More than likely it’s someone covering their tracks,” said One Eye. “Frederick was always out with his camera.”

  “Ooh, you think he photographed something he shouldn’t have?”

  “It’s possible. Now, get your minds off that and on Silas. We make our move tonight and we need to be prepared.” He thought again before adding, “We could use a distraction for the villagers tonight while we spring our trap for Silas, something loud and over-the-top.”

  “Why are you both looking at me?” said Luke when they turned their gazes on him.

  “Because that is what you are,” said Saskia.

  “Alright, maybe but I need to be there to help carry out the plan.”

  “You’re the king of cunning Luke,” said One Eye. “You could put a suggestion to the villagers about something they could do as a community tonight to honour Bess and Frederick, preferably something loud that will take up their attention for a couple of hours. Only do it subtlely, plant the seeds with the right people but don’t be too overt, so no one will remember who actually made the suggestion and they will all attempt to claim credit for it.”

  Luke grinned and got to his feet. “Sounds like my sort of assignment.”

  CHAPTER 24

  Raven, Aidan and Damon were five miles from Caillte when the car started to make a strange rumbling noise. Raven steered it into a viewing point just before the engine conked out altogether.

  “Oh that’s just fucking marvellous,” said Damon, folding his arms across his chest.

  “I have a code reader,” said Raven, pulling an orange oblong device out of the driver’s door and plugging it into the car’s computer system, the connector situated under the dash. Once it had finished scanning, the reader popped up with a code, which Raven translated with the help of a handbook.

  “Fuel pressure regulator,” she announced.

  “Oh crap,” said Damon.

  “Can you fix it?” she said, looking to the two men, who both knew their way around cars.

  “Let’s take a look,” sighed Aidan, getting out.

  Damon and Raven climbed out too, watching as Aidan opened the bonnet. Leaving the men to it, she turned to look out at the view over the sea, the water turning dark blue as twilight began to set in. She closed her eyes and took in a few deep breaths, fighting down the frustration that they were going to be delayed again from reaching One Eye.

  “Alright,” said Aidan. “We can fix it but it’ll only be a temporary fix. It’ll get us to Caillte anyway. We’ll need to take it to a garage before setting off for home.”

  “How long will it take?”

  “About an hour. Plus half an hour on top of that to let the engine cool down first. Hopefully we’ll have it finished before night sets in.”

  “Shit,” she exclaimed. “We don’t have time for this. We’re so close to One Eye.”

  “It’s either this or walk,” said Damon. “Which will take longer, especially carrying our bags and all the weapons.”

  She sighed and nodded. “Do it.” Anger surged through her. Now she wished she had shot Silas’s stupid men. “We need to get the car away from the road. This is the only road to Caillte. If Silas’s men spot us they will attack us again.”

  “That’s a fucking good point,” said Damon.

  Raven steered the car across the road into a copse of trees while the men pushed. It wasn’t ideally hidden but it was the best they could do.

  “Take the weapons out of the boot babe,” Aidan told her. “We don’t want any accidents if we’re dealing with the fuel line.”

  She got out and hauled the bag out of the hidden space.

  Aidan delved into his backpack and took out a roll of duct tape.

  “It’s creepy that you carry that around,” commented Damon.

  Aidan grinned and yanked a strip off the roll with a malicious rip.

  “Are you sure this is going to work?” said Damon. “I’ve never patched up any motor with duct tape. Won’t it burst into flames from the heat of the engine?”

  “It’s not flammable. You can duct tape anything. You won’t believe how many old bangers I’ve patched up with this stuff to get me out of some Godfo
rsaken hole. That’s why I carry it around. Looks like it’s come in handy again,” he said with a smile that annoyed Damon.

  “Something’s coming,” said Raven.

  The sound of a rattling engine filled the air.

  “That doesn’t sound healthy,” said Damon.

  “Silas’s men,” said Raven.

  “Quick, switch off the headlights,” said Aidan.

  Raven switched off the lights and they crouched down behind the car as they watched the black van go by, dented and scratched, the front bumper skewed. They came out of their hiding place when the rear lights had vanished into the gathering darkness.

  “They’re heading back to One Eye,” said Raven desperately.

  “It’s getting dark,” said Saskia.

  She was standing in the lounge of the B&B, gazing out of the window and nursing an iced vodka that Alan had given her. In fact he’d hardly left her side since Cherie had gone. One Eye was in the armchair at the other side of the room, reading one of his books about the local area. Cherie had managed to leave the village before Frederick’s body had been found but the police were making efforts to bring her back to Caillte, finding it very suspicious that she’d left just after the murder had been committed. Personally Alan found their suspicions hilarious.

  “Do you want to go to the pub?” said Alan, addressing Saskia directly.

  “Not tonight,” she said. “I’m tired.”

  “Early night?” Alan smiled at her hopefully.

  She glanced at him before returning her attention to the window.

  “Are you going to the pub tonight Alan?” One Eye asked, putting down his book.

  “Yeah,” he sighed. “I promised to meet Helen there. She’s worried I’ll get all down about Cherie leaving but to be honest, I’m so relieved,” he said before looking up hopefully at an oblivious Saskia again.

  “Where is Helen anyway?” said One Eye.

  “At Simon’s house. She wanted to get out of the village for a while. She often needs to escape. Although she loves Caillte sometimes she finds it a little claustrophobic, especially at the moment with everyone so tense.”

  “So Simon doesn’t live in Caillte?”

  “No, he lives in Flodigarry.”

  “I didn’t know that, I just assumed he lived here. How did they meet?”

  “His dad’s a plumber and he’s his apprentice. We called them in when we had a leak.”

  “How long ago was that?”

  “About two years. Simon spends a lot of his time in Caillte, Helen doesn’t get on with his dad. He’s a bit of a prick to be honest, arrogant and likes the drink a wee bit too much. That’s why Simon prefers to spend his time here. With Cherie gone I might ask if he wants to move in permanently, we could use an extra set of hands about the place. Obviously I’ll run that by Helen first,” he chuckled. Alan looked to Saskia. “Unless you want a job? You’d be a very valued asset to the team.”

  “No,” she said. “I can’t be away from home and the mountains for too long. But thank you.”

  “Shame,” he replied with a wink.

  Saskia stared back at him coldly before deciding to wink back.

  Through the window they watched Luke meander his way down the road towards the B&B. One Eye was annoyed by the stupid grin on his face and the way he wove slightly as he walked. With what they had on tonight he had thought he’d go easy at the pub but clearly not. Saskia glanced at him, his worries reflected in her eyes.

  “Evening everyone,” said Luke cheerfully as he walked into the lounge, rubbing his hands together. “It’s chilly out there tonight. I’ll be tucked up in bed later with a hot chocolate.” He looked to Alan. “Speaking of which, do you have any?”

  “Hot chocolate? Actually I do. It’s one of my favourites.”

  “Could I trouble you for one please?”

  “Oh,” he said, looking to Saskia. “Well…”

  “I would love one too,” she said. “I drink after hiking through mountains. It reminds me of home.”

  “In that case, coming right up,” he said eagerly before hurrying out of the room.

  “I’ll have one too please,” One Eye called after him.

  “No problem Nik,” he called back.

  Luke closed the door, wiping the daft smile off his face, suddenly looking a lot more sober.

  “Thank God for that,” said One Eye. “I thought you were drunk.”

  “Just a little playacting,” smiled Luke. “And you know how much alcohol it takes to get me drunk, there isn’t enough in the village.”

  “I gave you akavitt once,” said Saskia. “You took off all your clothes, said you were the goat master then threw up on my boots.”

  “That was a one off,” he announced grandly. “And I’m sure you put something in that.”

  She rolled her eyes and shook her head.

  “Was your mission successful?” said One Eye, attempting to keep the conversation on track.

  “Oh yes. As we speak they’re arranging a grand bonfire in honour of Bess and Frederick, accompanied by fireworks,” he grinned. “Big, noisy fireworks. The festivities commence at eight o’clock.”

  “And you introduced the idea subtlely?”

  “Absolutely. I was a veritable wraith whispering in their ears. Arthur’s claiming it was his idea, as are Roberta and that dreadful Duncan.”

  “Who cares as long as it keeps them busy,” said One Eye.

  “Oh and you’re not welcome at the bonfire,” added Luke. “Either of you.”

  “How are you still welcomed with open arms then?” said Saskia suspiciously.

  “Because of my excess of charm. And because I told them I think there’s something distinctly dodgy about you both.”

  “You treacherous little worm,” she snarled, advancing on him.

  “No, it’s alright,” said One Eye, holding up his hand, causing her to stop. “It was the only way he could gain their trust.”

  “And hear all the gossip,” said Luke. “They’re convinced Saskia is connected to you One Eye. They think you killed Bess and when the heat was put on you, you called her in as back-up and together you killed the unfortunate Frederick, especially as you gave each other an alibi for the murder.”

  “And who put that idea in their heads I wonder?” said Saskia, eyes flashing.

  “Actually it wasn’t me. It was Duncan. You’re fortunate I was there to hear what was being said. I managed to gloss over the fact that I’d alibied you both too,” he smiled.

  “It doesn’t matter,” said One Eye. “Tonight we take care of Silas and his men. Once that’s done we can find out who really killed Bess and Frederick then get out of here.”

  “Any thoughts on who did it?”

  “Actually yes but until I’m certain I’m keeping them to myself.”

  “Here we go, hot chocolate,” said Alan, carrying a tray with three mugs, which he placed on the table in the centre of the room. “I’ve got to leave for the pub now. Sure you won’t come Saskia?”

  “Apparently I’m not welcome,” she announced. “They think I’m murderer. Nik too.” She ended this pronouncement by picking up her mug of chocolate, taking a sip and smiling. “Marshmallows. Excellent.”

  “Yes,” said Alan. “Stan called to tell me about the theory that’s been doing the rounds. They threatened me if I didn’t kick you both out.” He looked to Luke. “Not you. You’re well liked.”

  “Naturally,” he smiled.

  “Threaten you how?” said One Eye.

  “They said they’d do all in their power to ruin my business and that I should watch my back in case anything happens to me.”

  “Stupid people,” said Saskia. “I go out there and make them sorry they speak to you that way.”

  Alan appeared touched by her passionate defence of him. “That’s very kind, thank you but there’s no need. Those idiots don’t worry me.”

  “They should. They are cowards who are afraid. That makes them dangerous.”

&
nbsp; “You sound as though you’re speaking from experience,” he said, eyes twinkling.

  “Maybe I am,” she smiled back.

  “By God you’re an exciting woman,” he rasped.

  “Err,” said Luke. “Shouldn’t you be getting to the pub? You’ll be late meeting Helen.”

  “Oh yes. Suppose,” he sighed. He looked to Saskia. “I’ll see you later?”

  “Perhaps,” was all she was willing to say, wanting him to leave.

  “Right, well, goodnight and I highly recommend you all stay here. Don’t go near the village.”

  “We’ve no intention of doing so,” replied One Eye.

  “Good.” With one last lingering look at Saskia, he left.

  “Thank God for that,” said Luke. “For a moment there I was afraid he wouldn’t want to leave your side.”

  “I think he will do,” she replied as they watched Alan head out into the cold, wrapped up in a thick coat, scarf and gloves. “He needs some good sex after years with that painted doll. It will be good for his health.”

  “Usually Saskia’s bad for people’s health,” Luke whispered to One Eye.

  He smiled. “Right. Now he’s gone we can finally get to work.”

  Silas glared at his three men standing before him, beaten and bleeding. They were by the edge of the cliffs, the crash of water hundreds of feet below smashing against the rocks drowning out the sound of their voices to any passers-by.

  “Don’t tell me you let that woman get the better of you?” he bellowed at them in Norwegian.

  “Sorry Silas,” said Henrik. “But the vans were wrong for the chase.”

  “Where are the vans?”

  “One tipped over. Raven burst the tyres of the other. We left the one that tipped and fixed the one with burst tyres but on the way back here Mathias swerved when a deer ran into the road and we hit a wall.”

  “A deer?” growled Silas, looking from one to the other before exploding, “A fucking deer.” His voice echoed out across the water, so loud it drowned out the rage of the sea. “You should have run over the fucking thing.”

  “It was a big deer,” said Henrik. “If we’d hit it, it would have caused lots of damage.”

  “The only thing that’s going to be damaged is you three,” he bellowed, drawing back his fist. “You were bested by an animal and a woman.”