by Carly Reid
Jessica couldn’t help but overhear them as they began to speak, and the general consensus seemed to be that while the Wilcotts had always seemed like a solid couple and Patricia Wilcott a pleasant enough woman, you just couldn’t know people at all, and there was no smoke without fire. But anyway they had always suspected that there was something ‘off’ about her, after all why would her daughter move to the other side of the world – maybe it was to get away from her? Who was to say what went on behind closed doors. And poison, well, that was just like her really, she could be quite sneaky – in fact, quite an unpleasant woman all told.
“Well, I don’t want to say I told you so, but…” Miss Janet Simpson trailed off and pursed her lips together primly. Had she said any such thing, Jessica wondered, or was she just taking the credit now?
“It’s no surprise to me. Mind that time I told you that Patricia Wilcott ignored me in McEwen’s greengrocers? Just flat out ignored me, and rushed off without saying a word.” The woman who had spoken these words shook her head before taking a sip of tea.
Grateful that none of these people were in charge of determining Patricia Wilcott’s guilt or otherwise, Jessica turned towards the counter to check if Ealisaid was free. It was late in the afternoon, past both the lunchtime rush and the afternoon tea crowd, and normally at this time Lissa’s would be quieter. Although some customers were drinking hot drinks, Jessica couldn’t see many plates on tables and there was no-one ordering anything. Margaret had come in and sat down without so much as a glance at the menu.
Jessica’s own reaction surprised her. Somehow, without knowing exactly when or how, she had become convinced of Patricia Wilcott’s innocence. She was aware that she personally liked the woman, becoming more fond of her and feeling more empathy every time they spoke. Perhaps she was allowing this to cloud her judgement? If you examined the evidence…she thought to herself for a minute. What evidence was there really? Had the police found something else new?
Her question was soon answered. Ealisaid was available behind the counter, not serving anyone and happy to chat.
“Don’t you mind everyone coming in and using your place as a…gossip hub?” Jessica was indignant now on her friend’s behalf, having done a rough count of the number of drinks on tables and knowing that this was cutting into Ealisaid’s clearing up time.
“No’ really. I set this place up to be a centre of the community, so I can hardly blame them for using it that way. They more than make up for it on most days – despite the fact that almost every one of them here is excellent at baking, they are forever in here ordering mine. They donate all their own cakes to fundraising sales and coffee mornings. It’s just the way it works around here.”
Jessica nodded, appreciating her friend’s shrewd business sense once again. Then she confided in her. “Ealisaid, I’m really shocked! Patricia Wilcott has been arrested? I was only just here chatting to her this morning! What could have happened?”
“Aye, according to the locals she has been arrested. I wouldnae take it as confirmed quite yet. I dinnae know what happened; she left just after you this morning and I’ve not seen her since. I cannae believe it myself. Right enough, they had their issues but murder? And like that? No, it’s just no’ like Patricia.”
“That’s what I thought, but you know, I don’t really know her at all. The more time I have spent with her recently, the more I just felt that it couldn’t be her, even when…” Jessica tailed off, not quite ready to share the knowledge she had about Patricia’s secretive phone call and the long, sorry saga about Helen Wilcott either – she didn’t know how much Ealisaid knew, and it would have felt like breaking a confidence, even if Ealisaid was a good friend.
She picked up again, keen to establish the facts. “I mean, I was just thinking – the police must have something else, surely. Something more to go on that they had already, information that we don’t have…” She stopped. Ealisaid was looking at her oddly.
“Have you not heard?”
“Heard what?”
“They found poison. At least that’s what everyone is saying. They found it hidden in the Wilcotts’ house. I think that’s what led to the arrest – IF she’s been arrested. Once again, I’ve only heard that here.”
Ealisaid gestured towards the crowd of women clustered even more unevenly around the enlarged table. Jessica looked over. They had moved on from maligning Patricia Wilcott’s name and settled in to the more familiar routine of sucking up to Margaret Mustard.
“How ANYONE could even have suspected you for a minute Margaret, it would have been an absolute travesty if they had pursued that line of questioning!” This was Miss Janet Simpson again, speaking forcefully over the babble of the assorted women, ensuring that she was heard.
“A miscarriage of justice!” said another.
“False accusation, or possibly police harassment.” A third woman nodded sagely.
Margaret Mustard basked in the adoration, sitting smugly amongst her group. All the strain that Jessica had witnessed there over the last few days had gone – not a trace left. She looked relaxed and happy, happier than was perhaps appropriate in the wake of one man’s death and his wife’s subsequent arrest. Jessica felt an active dislike for the woman grow within her, and, not wanting to lose her temper in front of Ealisaid and the whole coffee shop, decided that it was time to get some air.
“I’m going to head over to Reenie’s. She will have seen all the hustle and bustle here and be wondering what it is all about.”
“Aye, no bother, Jessica. If I’m still here when she locks up, do pop in. I reckon I will be – this lot don’t look like shifting any time soon.”
Jessica nodded and headed out the door. She was looking both ways before crossing over the High Street towards The Bloom Room when she felt the hand on her arm. “Jessica…isn’t it?”
The woman spoke hesitantly. A light breeze ruffled her silvery curls, and she was wearing the same long patterned green raincoat she had been wearing the other evening when Ealisaid and Jessica had briefly crossed paths with her when leaving the Wilcotts’ house.
“Yes, that’s right. You’re a friend of Patricia’s?”
“Yes, I’m Lillian. We met at Patricia’s on Sunday evening. Can I have a moment?”
“Of course.” Jessica stood back from the edge of the sidewalk. She could go over to Reenie’s any time.
“I heard what they were all saying in there. There’s a lot of confusion, but I know what it’s like around here. There’s no point trying to clear it up. I would just add to it, and the story would grow even more arms and legs.”
Jessica allowed herself a half-smile at the unfamiliar expression. Lillian continued:
“I spoke to Patricia earlier after her interview with the police. She hasn’t been formally arrested or charged. She is just ‘helping the police with their enquiries’, which still isn’t great, I’ll grant you, but it’s not as bad as they are saying.”
Jessica felt relief wash over her. “So that’s all just gossip? They didn’t find poison in her house?”
Lillian looked solemn.
“No, I’m afraid that’s true. They did find a vial or something, I’m not sure of the details. I just know that Patricia was clearing away some trophies and things, and found it inside one of them. It was unfamiliar so she contacted the police and now they are asking her all sorts of more detailed questions. She seemed calm enough – you know Patricia, it takes a lot to rattle her, but it seems pretty serious in my opinion.”
Jessica was stunned. In a trophy? She racked her brains to remember the various awards on the Wilcotts’ mantel, knowing that the majority of them had been models of golfers swinging clubs mounted on plinths, or engraved shield shapes. She couldn’t be one hundred percent sure, but she thought that the only one that could possibly contain something was the double-handled cup on display in the centre.
The one that she had picked up and examined, and that had definitely been empty on Sunday evening.
<
br /> Lillian was still speaking. “She’s fond of you Jessica, and I’m not sure if there’s anything you can do, but I knew you were a reporter and that you had some experience of investigating things…can you help Patricia?”
Jessica looked at her directly. When she answered, she meant it with her whole heart. “I’ll do what I can.”
Lillian left, clearly reassured.
“What is all that about across the street?” Reenie looked up as Jessica entered The Bloom Room. She was alone, a customer having exited just as Jessica walked in. Willow bounded up to her, and this time didn’t jump but just moved around her legs, her tail waving enthusiastically as she greeted one of her favourite humans.
“Everyone in Lissa’s is talking about Patricia Wilcott’s arrest. Except that she hasn’t actually been arrested. Her friend just told me that outside. It isn’t good though, Reenie.”
“I wondered. Ealisaid is usually closing up by now, her crowd dies down in the afternoon. I knew something must have happened. Never a dull moment in Dalkinchie, is there! Life here can’t be what you expected, Jessie.” No-one but Reenie and her mom ever called her by this nickname, which Jessica considered childish. She didn’t mind it from her aunt though - it was a nice reminder of home and family.
“It’s probably not what I expected. It’s more…real. I definitely had a romantic notion of life in a Scottish village! But in many ways it’s so much better than I expected. It’s hard to explain.”
Reenie smiled at her niece. “No, you’ve explained it very well. It makes perfect sense. In a small community, you make connections quickly. Somebody’s misfortune is everyone’s misfortune. It can be stifling, but also quite wonderful to know that there are people around you who have your back. Take Patricia Wilcott. Here you are, helping her out, and a week ago you didn’t even know her name.”
“I wish I could help out. I don’t know who killed her husband, and the one lead I thought I did have probably is just a dead end.” Jessica was forlorn, thinking of how difficult it had been the day before trying to match old houses to the rough sketch she had on a piece of paper. There was no knowing how accurate that little sketch had been in the first place. Perhaps the MacNaughton’s records would hold some vital information, but that would all take some time, and did Patricia Wilcott have any? She sighed.
“Right, Jessie. Here, can you take Willow and wait for me outside? I’m going to quickly mop and it’s easier if she’s no’ here chasing it! Then we will head over the road and see if Ealisaid could use any help closing up, seeing as she’s late tonight. We will put our heads together, go through everything we know and make a plan. I know you’ll not rest until you help Mrs Wilcott out.”
Reenie’s tone was kind but firm, and Jessica was grateful. No point in being despondent. She did as she was requested and in no time at all they were crossing the road to Lissa’s where they could see that Ealisaid had successfully got rid of her crowds, but was now facing the clear up alone.
“Need any help?”
Ealisaid looked up and a smile began to make its way across her elfin face.
“I would love that Jessica, thank you. Gets me home a little bit quicker! Can you make a start on clearing the tables?”
Reenie helped too, having successfully managed to occupy Willow with a chew beside the front door. As they worked they talked over Patricia Wilcott’s case. “I told you not to trust the local gossip. They always exaggerate.” Ealisaid was vigorously wiping down the counter and all the equipment.
“And you were right. However, she is under suspicion because of the poison found in her trophy. Ealisaid, can you remember what the trophies were like on the mantel? I can only remember one cup shaped one that could actually hold something.”
“I don’t, I’m afraid. I just remember a big jumble of silver. I’ve seen it every time I visited, but never paid close attention. What does it matter which trophy it was?”
“It matters because I picked that one up and it was empty on Sunday night.”
“So if it was that trophy…whoever put it there did so after Sunday night? A visitor?” Reenie straightened up and paused from her sweeping. She cupped her hands over the top of the broom, and rested her chin on them.
“Exactly. Although I’m not one hundred percent sure about the trophies. There could have been another one shaped like a cup. I don’t remember it though.” Jessica narrowed her eyes as she tried to recall the mantle. “I would need to go back to check – although apparently they have been cleared up. Or ask Patricia herself. I could also ask about the visitors she has had. Do either of you have her number?”
Reenie shook her head. Ealisaid didn’t either, she had only had Desmond Wilcott’s.
“Her landline number might be on the directory? You can search it online.”
“OK, I could try that.”
Reenie spoke up. “But if it was Patricia herself, she could have put it there whenever she liked – or not at all, and just claimed that’s where she found it. It would seem a plausible place for a visitor to pop something in, and she’s a clever woman, she knows that. You might have to consider that possibility, Jessie.”
“True. I’d have to be careful how I asked her. If she claimed it was there then I’d know she was lying. I really don’t think it’s her though.”
“Why are you so certain, Jessica? Do you suspect someone else? Or do you know something about Patricia that makes you think she is definitely innocent?”
Jessica took a deep breath. It was probably time to tell all.
“Honestly, it’s just my feeling. I do know a few things but I think they probably point to her being more guilty, not less! I don’t know though. I would wonder if she would risk it.” Jessica told Reenie and Ealisaid everything she knew about Helen Wilcott and her relationship struggles in Australia, and the lengths Patricia had been going to to sort it out. She had wondered if this was common local knowledge but it seemed not. Ealisaid hadn’t heard any of it before.
“Oh dear goodness, what a shame. What a difficult, difficult situation.”
Reenie’s feelings chimed with Jessica’s, nothing but sympathy. Ealisaid was more pragmatic. “I wonder if the police know that she had already booked solo travel to Australia! That doesnae look good at all, Jess. Why on earth would she do that?”
Jessica didn’t really have an explanation for that one.
“Well…she did tell me that her son-in-law and Mr Wilcott didn’t get on. Maybe they felt, with the situation so delicate, it would be best to avoid upsetting him any more and Mrs Wilcott just travel alone? Or maybe he just didn’t want to go?” She was aware she was clutching at straws.
Ealisaid still looked unconvinced. “Aye ok. That’s possible I suppose. Who else is there though, Jess? Who else had it in for Desmond Wilcott to the extent that they would poison the marmalade? I know you think Patricia Wilcott is innocent – so if not her, who did it? What’s your opinion?”
This was where Jessica fell down. She felt as hopeless as DI Gordon had on Monday, facing a hall full of people who potentially had access to the marmalade, and a man with a history of rubbing people up the wrong way. It would perhaps be easier to start with who didn’t want to murder Desmond Wilcott.
Jessica remembered something she had seen at the Hall on the day of the Show. “I did see something – a marked up entry list, and it looked like it was in Mr Wilcott’s handwriting. There were notes beside some entry numbers, and I can’t be sure, but he could have been rigging the results.”
Ealisaid nodded. “That’s not surprising. I never caught him, but a few people suspected. It disnae seem like a murder motive, though.”
Reenie, now mopping, paused again. “Yes, I think it would be something more personal.”
“Well…what about Margaret Mustard then,” said Jessica. “Her son lost his job.”
“I thought she was exonerated?” Reenie replied.
“Not entirely. I mean, her marmalade wasn’t poisoned at the Castle, not unless she
was willing to risk poisoning the Laird of Drummond as well! But she had the same access to the hall that anyone else did that morning. She was there. She had a grudge against Desmond Wilcott – a big grudge. I think she’s got to be considered.
“And then…well, there’s you and I, Ealisaid. We had access to the marmalade jar alone, when nobody else did. I’m surprised the police haven’t been a bit more suspicious! I suppose the fact that we were together the whole time until we locked the door means that we are each other’s alibis?”
Ealisaid chuckled. “Plus, no motive! Unless you have a deep dark secret you’re no’ telling me? No, Desmond could be a tricky man but he wis basically decent. At least, I think so. The things you find oot later – well, I never had any problems with him, and he seemed happy enough to work alongside me.
“Plus, if I wis going to murder him, I would have waited until after the Show! The amount of work I’ve had to do – aye, it’s amazing that I’m still standing.”
Jessica laughed, but internally she wondered. She was increasingly suspicious of Margaret Mustard , and resolved to find out what she had been doing at the trash can in the park.
Plus, she really wanted to speak to Patricia again herself.
12
An Awkward Encounter
Jessica made her way into Dalkinchie High Street after her early morning walk down the dark, winding lanes of the park. When she reached the trash can she was sure Margaret Mustard had used, it was empty. She reached right down into the can to make sure. Definitely nothing there.
Disappointed, she walked a little further on to check that she was definitely in the right spot, but only found one further empty trash can. The evidence, if it had been evidence, was long gone. She would have to find another way to work out what had happened. Time for part two of her plan.
The day was cooler today, a stiff breeze sweeping down the wind tunnel of the High Street. Jessica had brought a raincoat of her own this morning, because Reenie had said that it was threatening rain. It had been a long, warm summer in Dalkinchie, and she had only had to wear it once before. Now, as she looked at the steel grey sky and the scudding clouds across it, she was glad that she had it with her.