Ice Cold Blood

by David W. Millar

‘It was just a waste of time. He had information to trade but unfortunately, I didn’t. He’s obsessed with this counsellor guy.’

  Annabel said nothing, sipping her coffee. Flint stayed silent, not wanting to rush things. The café was filling up and there was a queue for takeaway drinks and food.

  ‘Joe, I’m not sure on this but what I know might be connected to what Euan was alluding to. He didn’t tell me anything, but he clearly knows something.’

  ‘Well I’m happy to hear anything that might clear up this mystery that somehow connects me and Ellie to New Zealand. I just want to get on with my life.’

  ‘Ellie went to New Zealand almost completely unexpectedly. She announced it at work, put her manager in charge of the business and left within a fortnight. She told me she needed a break and she certainly looked exhausted.’

  ‘Did she discuss it with you?’

  ‘Ellie said she had a friend there she’d always wanted to visit and had decided to take at least three months saying she would also be looking at possible markets in New Zealand.’

  ‘Sounds like something Ellie might do, you know the spontaneous stuff. She liked to live her life that way.’

  ‘Maybe it was to do with her, you know, mental condition.’

  ‘Being bi-polar? You know to me Ellie was just Ellie. Why do we need a label for everything?’

  ‘I miss her,’ Annabel said sadly. ‘We fell out over Euan and she wouldn’t speak to me for months. It hurt because I loved her as a friend. She had been so good to me, buying my paintings, encouraging me, always introducing me to people who might consider exhibiting my work. When we did start speaking again I was so relieved.’

  There was a lull in the café and Flint excused himself, going up to the counter to order more coffee. When he returned, he noticed Annabel had a packet of tissues on the table and had obviously been crying.

  ‘Right,’ she said in a business tone. ‘You want to hear about my theory.’

  ‘There’s no rush. I’ve taken the day off and since I usually rush around organising trips it’s a novelty to just sit and chat. And Edinburgh’s a wonderful place to be.’

  Annabel smiled at him, it was a nice gesture and she appreciated it. ‘Some of what I’m about to say is my own interpretation of what might have happened.’

  ‘I’m happy to hear it.’

  ‘I was in Ellie’s flat one evening when I saw a letter on her desk. It was from a private clinic confirming an appointment for later that week. I couldn’t see what it was for, as the paper was partially covered, and I didn’t want to be caught reading her stuff. I didn’t pay any real attention to it as I know she’d consulted various clinics trying to find something that might help her moods. Now for some reason I remembered the name of the clinic after all those years and I Googled it a few days ago. I got quite a shock.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Before I answer that can you remember the rough date when Ellie asked you to meet her in Edinburgh?’

  Flint looked at her in surprise before nodding and giving her the information.

  ‘Yes, I think that fits with the date on the letter, but I can’t be sure. It was shortly after that when Ellie took herself off to New Zealand.’

  ‘Sorry Annabel, but this isn’t making any sense to me.’

  ‘You remember how upset she was when you didn’t show up to meet her in Edinburgh?’

  ‘Yes. What’s this got to do with an appointment at some clinic?’

  ‘It was a pregnancy clinic.’

  Chapter 21

  After consulting with Colin Campbell, Tosh decided it was time to broadcast an appeal for the man who had counselled Ellie Saunders to contact the police. The news conference was held in the police station at Fort William, where Ellie’s mother and father were present, flanked by Tosh and McIntyre. Covered by the major TV channels, reporters from the national newspapers were also present.

  They asked if this counsellor was a major suspect, Tosh giving the standard answer as merely wanting him to come forward to be eliminated from their enquiries. Ellie’s mother did all the talking, saying that while nothing would bring her daughter back, it was important the killer was caught before he had the chance to murder again. Tosh was once again impressed with Veronica Saunders, clearly emotionally upset yet still articulate. She spoke of Ellie’s love of life, her friends, her successful business and the adventures on the mountains across the world. It was difficult not to be moved.

  Ellie’s brother Eamon had declined the offer to be present at the news conference. He seemed removed from the trauma his parents were experiencing. Tosh was struck by the animosity he seemed to feel towards Ellie.

  It was always awkward when delving into family histories, seeing years of jealousy, pain, remorse, regret or hatred suddenly rush to the surface, sometimes in a boiling rage. It was often the worst part of his job, seeing the carnage emerge.

  Domestic violence was often habitual but sometimes a person just snapped and lashed out because of the surfacing of repressed anger that had lasted for years. Even crimes that were trivial compared to murder could tear relationships apart. He knew of a well-off woman caught shoplifting who was shunned by her family and friends who ended up taking her own life. Road accidents were particularly traumatic. The innocent death of a loved one, a child, and a family initially united in grief only to be destroyed years later as each coped differently with their loss. Tosh believed that counselling should be provided to families caught up in crime as either perpetrators or victims, it would save so much time and money eventually.

  The film he and Shona had gone to see had been excellent. Tosh was impressed with her knowledge of current affairs and her ability to compare the political situations of 1939 to the present day. He could tell she had socialist principles like his own, something he now felt was essential in any relationship he was party to.

  The journey back to Fort William oscillated between the serious and the light-hearted. Jokes flew back and forth between them, and she was as quick with the one-liners as he was. And then suddenly there were involved discussions about petty crime, stop and search powers and the lenient sentences often handed out in the courts. She wanted to know what it was like to be a detective in Glasgow, was it as dangerous as she imagined and had he ever feared for his life? Then another wisecrack and all the seriousness evaporated in laughter. It was a heady mix and he loved it. He noticed Shona was an excellent driver, sticking to the speed limits and taking the many bends in the road smoothly and safely. She answered his questions without taking her eyes off the road. Usually preferring to drive and not the best passenger, Tosh felt completely relaxed. He wanted to compliment her on her driving skills but was scared she might find it patronising.

  Once back in Fort William they went for a drink at the hotel. Some of Shona’s friends were there, suggesting they join them. Shona had looked at him uncertainly. He’d just laughed and found some extra chairs to sit round their table. Tosh recognised two young constables from the station with their partners and he could sense their wariness at sharing a table with the ‘big boss.’ The others in the group were far gone and Tosh found it amusing as alcohol-loosened tongues produced some indiscreet comments that might be regretted later. But it was all taken in the spirit of an evening’s conviviality where people relaxed as a way of recharging their bodies for the week ahead.

  Shona was on an early shift, so they left before 11, walking to her flat not far from the hotel. She held his arm and they paused twice for a kiss before reaching the flat. The kiss there was long and passionate, Tosh pulling her body close to his. Her perfume was intoxicating, and he sighed with pleasure. Everything about Shona was new and exciting, the pleasure of intimate discussions about both their lives still lay ahead as did the thrill of exploring her body. When they parted on the step Tosh walked back to McIntyre’s house in the knowledge that postponing one’s pleasure surely gav
e the greatest joy.

  ---oOo---

  Ellie’s next letter was in complete contrast to the last. Things had deteriorated fast as her mental health swung from mild euphoria to a depression that seemed to manifest itself in anger against the world. Since he was part of her life and part of the world, he became the main recipient of that rage. A casual comment about his mother’s dislike of homeopathic medicine developed into a blazing row, Ellie eventually storming out of his house and driving home at midnight.

  Euan

  I am writing to tell you how disappointed I am that you could not take my side regarding your mother’s jaundiced view concerning homeopathic medicine. I thought I was quite gracious about her comments at the time since I was a guest in her house and did not want to cause offence. You even thanked me in the car on the way home. Thinking about it later I thought she was completely out of order. While she might be a doctor that does not give her the right to belittle other forms of medicine. Her comments that homeopathic medicines have not been rigorously tested neglects to account for the fact that the Chinese have been practising alternative forms of medicine for centuries and surely that counts for something! Herbal remedies are natural and not chemicals produced in giant factories with the drug companies making obscene profits. Research has shown that a body can self-regulate herbal medicines, ensuring the right amount of the substance is absorbed while the excess is safely excreted. And look at antibiotics. They destroy the body’s good bacteria as well as the bad. Yes, they have had their successes, but now nature has fought back with resistant bacteria making many of them useless. That is the price paid for force feeding them to farm animals as a precaution rather than a necessity. It’s just another example of human greed to maximise profits.

  And your mother was totally out of order regarding her comments on veganism. Does she think I know nothing about essential amino acids? There are supplements one can take to make up for any deficiency and the benefits of a plant diet are surely obvious from the welfare of animals to the health of the planet.

  It is you I am most disappointed with. She is entitled to her opinion regardless. But a woman like me needs a partner who will support her. Not to endorse everything I say but to be there for me when others try to belittle what I stand for. However you chose to side with your mother, like a little boy who is scared to have independent thought. Maybe it is time for you to look at the relationship you have with her and try to make it adult-adult instead of parent-child. Once that is the case, we can maybe resume our relationship. Until then I suggest we have a prolonged break.

  Ellie

  The hurt it had caused him at the time was immense. He remembered trying to phone for several days after. She either ignored his calls or hung up immediately on recognising his voice. Letters, almost begging her to meet him so they could discuss what had happened, went unanswered. He had thought of turning up at her flat unannounced but could never summon up the courage fearing an argument at the door that would make things worse. And her claims in the letter, regarding the self-regulation of homeopathic substances, were wildly inaccurate, since he knew an overdose from any herbal remedy could make a person ill and might even be deadly. Even her own mother had cautioned her over taking herbal remedies.

  While he wished his mother had kept quiet on the subject, he had to admit she had been challenging though not aggressive. He found it ironic that Ellie should chastise him for being a little boy when Ellie herself was choosing to react like a child. His mother had kept the conversation in adult mode and at the time Ellie had responded in the same. Now she was throwing her toys out of the pram. He could only hope that her mental state eventually found equilibrium and they could start afresh. So, in the end he said nothing and accepted a three-week project working on an installation in the Middle East, hoping the situation between them would improve in his absence. He might still be miserable but least he would be earning money.

  ---oOo---

  They held hands on the flight back. Serafini was quiet but his wife chatted away, giving him reassuring smiles. They had made no decisions regarding his involvement in Ellie’s death, and he was relieved, if amazed, at how Katie was taking it all. Part of him awaited an explosion of anger.

  Once home he lit the stove in their new extension and opened a bottle of wine before going through the post and checking his work emails. After about 20 minutes the room was cosy, and they settled down with their drinks. He knew any discussion now about Ellie could have a big effect on their future.

  ‘That was one of the best holidays we’ve had. I feel relaxed and ready for work.’

  Serafini looked at his wife in amazement. ‘Really, you can say that after all this stuff coming out about Ellie.’

  ‘I knew you were having affairs even if I didn’t know who the women were.’

  He looked over at his wife and smiled. ‘Well I didn’t know you were having affairs too.’

  ‘Maybe not as many as you.’

  He got up to put another log in the stove, shaking his head at his wife’s candour. ‘None of yours ended up dead on a mountain.’

  She put down her cup before joining him on the hearth and putting her arms around him.

  ‘We have to work this out, that’s all. You didn’t kill her but maybe it would help if you told me everything,’ Katie said, detaching herself from him and rubbing his hand affectionately. She sat facing him with her knees pulled up to her chest, enjoying the heat from the stove.

  He told her everything, from their first meeting to their last fatal encounter on Ben Nevis. She probed him for details about Ellie’s mental health. She asked about her business, her interest in art, even her climbing ability. It was awkward for him, but he answered honestly before Katie asked him the question, he had always wrestled with himself. What drew him to her knowing that having an affair with someone who was technically a client and clearly unstable?

  ‘It was exciting I suppose, what else can I say. This is so awkward.’

  ‘We’ve both had opportunistic sex,’ Katie replied gently. ‘I know we didn’t declare an open marriage so we’re both guilty of some form of deceit. But we are grown-ups and I’m not going to accuse you of wrecking our relationship. I’m just curious about this woman and it might help us decide what we do if everything is out in the open,’ she paused. ‘I’m not saying you loved her.’

  ‘She would phone me up, sometimes after a gap of over a year and suggest we meet, usually we booked a room somewhere or we just…’

  ‘Used the back of the car?’

  ‘Ellie liked to … you know try different venues.’

  ‘Well my manoeuvres were confined to hotel rooms. Makes that seem a bit ordinary.’

  Serafini felt an unexpected stab of jealousy at his wife’s use of the plural for rooms, wondering just how many lovers she’d had. He grew more uncomfortable and was desperate to change the subject. Katie seemed oblivious to his unease.

  ‘Did you pay her for sex?’

  ‘No, of course not.’

  ‘And you never charged her for counselling?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Did she ever suggest a threesome?’

  ‘Katie,’ he shouted. ‘Where are we going with all this?’

  ‘Just trying to see what this woman did that made you keep going back for more?’ she replied with a coquettish smile.

  Then he suddenly realised what was happening. His wife was getting turned on by fantasising about him having sex with Ellie. It was outrageous although from his counselling experience he knew it wasn’t uncommon. He looked across at her while feeling his own arousal and deciding to join in her game.

  ‘She mentioned it once to me,’ he replied while moving closer to his wife. ‘It was too risky for me, but that didn’t deter her with other men.’ He reached out touching his wife’s face with his hand.

  ‘You passed up the chance to have two women in the
same bed?’ She covered his hand with hers. ‘You could have phoned me.’

  ‘Maybe that’s something for the future?’ He let his hand fall to her breast, slipping a finger between the buttons of the blouse, caressing her nipple. She moaned with pleasure leaning forward to kiss him passionately.

  The lovemaking that followed was sensual, exciting and unbelievably erotic. For the first time he could remember they talked about their fantasies, Katie taking the lead by saying she sometimes harboured desires about being fucked repeatedly by different men. It shocked him to hear his wife, the mother of his children, using such coarse language. It aroused him too and he had to fight not to end their carnal romp prematurely. Afterwards he grabbed a heavy throw from the couch to cover their naked bodies before he fell into the first dreamless and untroubled sleep since learning that Ellie Saunders’ body had been found in Coire Leis.

  Chapter 22

  Joe Flint knew where Euan Hunter lived. He had been there only the once and it had not been a happy occasion. He’d dropped Ellie off at his house after a climb organised by his company on the Cuillins in Skye where she had acted as a guide for a party of his that was attempting the Inaccessible Pinnacle on Sgurr Dearg. Hunter had to pull out at the last minute because of work commitments. It was a tricky ascent and two of the climbers, a man and a woman froze half-way up the pinnacle, unable to climb up or down.

  They were both roped and could have been lowered to safety. But Ellie had free climbed up the stack of rock to where they were stuck, pointing out footholds and handholds to gently encourage them to complete the ascent. She never made physical contact so the pair could claim they had made the climb unaided. It meant everyone managed to successfully scale the face of the rock before abseiling safely to the bottom. There was relief as well as elation amongst the climbing group and Ellie had been showered with praise. Although he had remonstrated with her regarding the risk of climbing the Pinnacle without ropes, he was delighted with the outcome. They drove to Glasgow in good humour.