Somehow, he still clung to the desperate and unlikely hope that the police would find the real killer who would be charged with the crime. The case would then be closed, and their night of passion would go unrecorded. His rational mind told him that even then the genetic profile of the ‘killer’ would not match with his, making the detectives suspicious. Her killer might also have seen him leave the snow-hole and try to put the blame on him.
What Serafini really feared was that as soon he contacted the police with his story, they would assume he had killed Ellie. They would stop looking, scale down the enquiry and the real killer would never be caught. He would then spend the rest of his life in prison. If no one knew about his presence the night Ellie died, the detectives working on the case would concentrate their efforts elsewhere and that might lead them to the real killer. But while Ellie had said she never told anyone, including her parents, of their counselling sessions and he had since deleted all her records, it was surely inevitable as time went on that someone somewhere would know about him.
Three times now he had begun dialling the number of the police station in Fort William only to freeze on the last digit. He desperately needed help and to discuss the matter with someone who would give advice and support. The man now entering the pub was his best friend and a counsellor. He knew how to listen.
---oOo---
Tosh was staying in a local hotel for two nights so he could concentrate on the murder enquiry. Even allowing for the fact he would receive no payment for the extra hours he was putting in it had still been a struggle to get the required funding for his overnight stay in Fort William. The Police Force like other public bodies, was short of cash. So, there would be no more overnighters and he would have to use the police car and drive from Inverness each day. Money was always tight and even requests for the manpower to look up Ellie Saunders’ bank or medical records were rejected. It was getting increasingly likely that he and McIntyre would have to do everything themselves.
‘I’ll get the pints,’ Tosh declared when they entered the hotel lounge, aware that his DS had agreed not to seek overtime payment to try to keep the cost of the investigation down.
A woman standing at the bar smiled at him. Tosh eventually recognised the now out of uniform desk sergeant from the station.
‘Keeping Ian busy then?’ She nodded in his direction.
‘He’s a good man, still keen and enthusiastic, but I’ll see he gets home before midnight.’
‘Well he’s not long married so that might be a good idea,’ she laughed as she picked up the two glasses of wine in front of her. ‘Did you get a card?’
‘A card?’ Tosh repeated in confusion.
‘Sorry seems to be the hardest word,’ she smiled before picking up her drinks and heading towards a table where a woman whom Tosh did not recognise was sitting.
‘Elton John,’ the barman informed him before handing over the two pints.
‘Put the bill on room six and keep the smartarse knowledge for the pub quiz,’ Tosh growled before walking over to where McIntyre was seated.
‘Right Ian, what have you got?’
‘I spoke briefly to her work colleagues; as I said on the phone, they were quite shocked. It might be worth another visit when they’re not so upset. They gave me the name of a Euan Hunter who she had climbed with a lot in the past. He’s an engineer living in Glasgow and I got an address. It looks like they were an item for a several years at least. Nothing in her office of any significance.’
‘Did you go to her flat?’
McIntyre nodded before taking a few mouthfuls of beer. ‘Not much to report there, just a nice flat, tidy with lots of drawings and paintings on the walls. The wardrobes were full of climbing gear as well as jeans and jumpers – nothing out of the usual. All her mail seemed to be bills or junk advertising and there was no address book that I could find. There was a laptop which I tried to boot up, but it was password protected. I took it with me to see if some of the techie guys can find a way in.’
‘Anything else?’
‘There were some prescription bottles of pills in the bathroom cabinet. I’ve noted down their names and done a quick Google. It looks like they treat bipolar disorder. There were also loads of vitamin supplements and natural remedies in the kitchen cupboards.’ He made inverted commas signals with his fingers after the word natural.
‘Right, we’ll need to access her medical records and bank details.’
‘Oh I didn’t mention I found a recent bank statement,’ McIntyre smiled, fishing an envelope from his briefcase. ‘I think that’s worth another pint.’
Tosh laughed before trying to catch the barman’s attention, being studiously ignored.
‘The bastard’s in the huff. I’d better go and apologise, or we’ll never get our drinks.’
‘Anything interesting,’ Tosh asked after returning with another two pints of beer.
‘Pretty routine: direct debits and standing orders, all fairly normal. There is a cheque here that’s been cashed for five hundred pounds.’
‘Right need to contact the bank and find out who that was made out to.’
‘I also got the name and address of an Annabel Jackson who was a really close friend of the deceased. She lives in Edinburgh.’
Tosh swallowed some of his beer before shaking his head. The word deceased always made him feel morose. She was now just an ex-person, talked of in the past tense, someone who had ceased to be and was now a collection of atoms and molecules without meaning or purpose.
He thought of her parents and the anguish they would be going through. They might never find peace in their lives knowing their daughter had been murdered but knowing her killer had been caught and sent to prison would at least let them feel that justice had been done. But time was passing and there was urgency in moving forward.
‘Right I’ll find this Hunter chap if you can interview Annabel Jackson.’
‘I also spoke to some of the guys in the Scottish Mountaineering Club who live in Fort William. Apparently, Ellie Saunders was a member of the club and a few of the guys had climbed with her, though no one knew her very well apart from the fact she lived in Edinburgh. Again, the name Euan Hunter came up.’
‘Good work Ian. I spoke to her parents briefly and they were just too upset for words. Her brother said he’d speak to me tomorrow so I’ll see if I can glean anything that might help before I track down this Hunter guy.’
The desk sergeant and her friend walked past and waved to them before leaving.
‘What’s her name, the desk sergeant?’ Tosh asked. ‘I spoke to her this afternoon.’
‘It’s Shona,’ McIntyre answered before downing the rest of his drink and standing up. ‘Right I’ll get back and we can meet same time tomorrow evening seeing you’re staying here for another night.’
Tosh stood up and shook his colleague’s hand. ‘Thanks Ian.’
As he headed towards the door, McIntyre turned towards Tosh. ‘There’s something else I might be able to find out for you, maybe something really important?’
‘What’s that?’
‘Whether she has a partner or boyfriend?’ he laughed, heading out the door leaving his boss red-faced and speechless.
Chapter 11
Dearest Euan
Once again I must write to thank you for yet another wonderful time walking in the Highlands of Scotland. The walk up Ben Eighe was fantastic with stunning views. For once the weather was kind to us and the surrounding scenery must rank as some of the most beautiful in Europe. No wonder people come from all over the world to see our country.
You have stamina in abundance and always set a cracking pace on the hills. I love that, someone willing to take the lead and make no allowances for the gender of their companion. But I did notice you looking round from time to time to see how I was doing, a very chivalrous approach even if I think I
can match you stride for stride at any pace! (Ok so you did win that sprint up to the top at the end, but your legs are longer and testosterone always gives a man an unfair advantage over short distances!) I’m more a gal for the long haul, so maybe one day we can try a yomp for at least 20 miles and see who cracks first? I’ve heard there’s a big climbing wall opening in Glasgow and we should go and try it out. I think I might just win a speed climbing contest!
Our conversations are always enjoyable and stimulating. Politically and socially we share the same principles which means we are basically socialists. That is important to me. When there are poor people living on the streets and rich bastards earning millions, we need to tax them to the limit and redistribute that wealth. I struggle to understand economics and the theory that raising tax levels can somehow reduce tax revenue! Butter mountains, wine lakes, what was that all about? How can it be morally justifiable lo leave apples to rot in the ground because it is uneconomical to pick them and people are starving in the world? When I have my own company, (which will be soon!) I hope I can give some poor people jobs and if I make a lot of money, I will use it to help the homeless. Imagine sleeping outside in this weather!
We agreed that wars are always started by men and that more women in politics should help mitigate any future carnage. (And yes, I agree that Margaret Thatcher does not have a good track record after the Falklands War, but she is hopefully the exception that proves the rule.) It seems women must strut like men to be taken seriously in politics or business. With any luck that will change in the future.
But Euan, I must again take issue with you on a certain subject. I know you’re a committed carnivore and I don’t suppose you’ll ever change despite me stating the obvious that being a veggie is both morally and environmentally superior to keeping animals purely for slaughter. It’s your choice, but your arguments in defence of eating meat seemed to centre on us having canine teeth like other carnivores?? Was that the best you could do? We have evolved an amazing intellect that makes it obvious meat should no longer be a major part of our diet. Surely as an engineer/scientist you must be aware that the energy losses encountered, when using plants to keep animals alive for later consumption, is huge and that’s notwithstanding the appalling conditions in which they are often kept. I don’t find being a veggie easy and yes, I still eat free range eggs and fish. (For now!) But I feel that keeping hens that are allowed some freedom is almost permissible and wild fish have the freedom of the ocean before they are caught. Be warned Euan Hunter that if we are in a relationship, I will keep nagging you!
However, you are not a chauvinist and speak highly of female engineers in your profession, even if there are pathetically few. Schools need to do more to encourage girls into science and technology. Women bring different perspectives to the so called ‘male’ professions and can change the world for the better. My dad always says that it’s engineers who have changed our struggle for existence into a standard of living. Maybe so, but engineers also design and manufacture weapons of war. Was it Oppenheimer who said that once the physics of nuclear fission was understood then the atomic bomb merely became an engineering problem? I wonder how many female engineers worked on the Manhattan Project. Yes, I know this letter is starting to become a rant!
So now something less contentious! I must say the bed and breakfast venue you chose for our stay was excellent - although that bed was certainly old and creaky! No wonder the other guests were smiling at us when we came down for breakfast. But I was so turned on that night (and in the morning!) I didn’t care who heard us. I feel you are starting to understand my body better and cater for my needs. (I do hope I am catering for yours!) You are certainly attentive as a lover and willing to experiment, knowing good lovemaking is all about taking time, prolonging pleasure with passionate kisses and extended foreplay. That leads to heightened pleasure and excitement. And I crave excitement whether it’s on the mountains or in the bed.
My parents would love to meet you after all I’ve told them about you, so maybe we could look at diaries and see when we both have a free weekend. I know they will be impressed.
Your current lover and occasional conscience for the world.
Ellie
PS We won’t have to sleep in separate rooms at my parents’ house but will definitely have to keep the noise down!
They had not had a row in the true sense of the word although that would come later over something completely unexpected. But it had become a rant and it had been a struggle at times not to show irritation.
A prolific reader she obviously picked up copious amounts of information from books and then there was the robust discussions she told him that she’d had with her parents. It made her arguments logical and sometimes difficult to argue against. He felt she had a point about vegetarianism but, like all her discussions, always pushed things too far. Pleas to agree to disagree went unheeded and eventually, to buy some peace, he had promised to give vegetarianism some serious thought. He remembered her throwing her arms around him, kissing him passionately and saying he was a wonderful man.
She had mentioned to him she really enjoyed the game when he had been round at her flat and asked if he played. He had nodded without thinking and she immediately challenged him to a game. After about 20 moves he wished he had said no.
She was a great climber, in some ways technically more proficient than him with impressive upper body strength and a lithe frame. There had been a couple of overhangs Ellie had managed to complete where he had had to concede defeat. ‘One up for the XXs,’ she had said. And while she could struggle with his pace in the snow, he learned to make no concessions and instead chalked one up for the XY’s. It made her laugh for she was competitive, and they competed as equals on the hills. That made his life easier.
Chess, however, was a different battleground. Ellie was competent at the game, played intuitively and aggressively early on, but lacked a coherent strategy. He had played both at school and at university. It was too easy for him, and he knew the prospect of her ever winning a game without him deliberately losing was remote. The problem was she became ever more determined to beat him. One evening they played three games before Euan suggested they call it a night. Her frustration showed and she took herself off to bed without another word. That night was the first time in their relationship they did not have sex.
In the morning he told her he had played at university and at one stage had a ranking, although it was quite low. That had not help as she claimed he’d set her up and just wanted to humiliate her. He denied it and they had their first row, culminating in Euan gathering up his stuff and driving back to Glasgow, arriving emotionally exhausted. He was angry with her but still desperate to see her again and put things right.
She phoned later that night and apologised for her behaviour.
‘Euan, I was out of order and behaved quite badly,’ she confessed as soon as he answered the phone. ‘I let my desire to win overrule my head and let my child take over.’
Euan remembered opening his mouth to say something placatory but wisely refrained and let her continue.
‘You were the one that remained in adult mode and I am so grateful that you did. I can only apologise Euan, and I wouldn’t be surprised if you didn’t want to see me again. If you do then I’m happy to take some lessons from you to improve my chess.’
He remembered the feeling of elation, the desire to hold her, kiss her lips and feel her body. It was a feeling that he knew would grow as their relationship progressed.
‘I would come through and see you if it wasn’t so late. And I have to be in Aberdeen in the morning and...’
‘I can come and see you. I want you.’
‘But it’s a long way for you to travel and...’
‘I’m in a call box just across the street from you. Just leave the door open and get your clothes off.’
---oOo---
Despite the embarrassment he
had felt over McIntyre’s flippant parting shot that evening in the hotel, Tosh knew he would be interested in whether Shona the desk sergeant was in a relationship. She was attractive and quite witty too. He felt it might put some fun back in his life. Investigating gruesome murders was hardly a laugh and dealing with the grief that followed could be draining. He would certainly consider asking her for a drink depending on what McIntyre could find out.
He knew he had lived in hope of getting back with Alison. But she was pregnant now and that changed everything. It was surely time for him to move on. And Shona was in the Force, someone who understood the unpredictable hours a detective chief inspector might have to work. Hopefully, McIntyre would report back with good news.
The funeral was scheduled for Thursday which was only three days away. Tosh knew it would be so good for her parents if her killer could be found before then but that looked increasingly unlikely. Despite the usual appeals for information no one had come forward to indicate suspects and there was little to go on.
Back at Fort William police station Tosh took out a file of notes, placing them on the desk in front of him. He had now interviewed her three work colleagues and business manager who described Ellie as incredibly hard working and generous. Someone who had built the business with hard work and determination, often working 12-hour shifts to clear any backlog. She had used a flexitime approach to keep her best artists, allowing them to work from home if necessary and juggle childcare with work. This ensured her business was not disrupted by a constant turnover of staff. Not content with running a fine art company she saw an opportunity in the market and found a business partner to start a recruitment business using the same building. This had also gone from strength to strength bringing in substantial revenue, allowing Ellie more time off to travel.
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