The Loch Ness Papers

by Paige Shelton

  No matter, though, that it was the best party I’d ever attended; my mind eventually went elsewhere. Though I cared about the dress, I had to push it to the least of my concerns. Suddenly, I couldn’t stop thinking about the article and the Nessie knife, and the fact that I hadn’t looked inside Norval’s apartment as he and Inspector Winters had wanted. Inspector Winters had all but driven me over and dropped me off. In fact, he might do just that if I asked him to. Instead, I’d used a call to him to report a defunct dress business. I hadn’t even added a quick post-script asking who the other suspects were.

  Yes, weddings were stressful, but there really wasn’t a good reason why mine should be. It was small and simple. I looked around. In fact, everyone was there right then. We could have the wedding now, maybe just get it over with. My eyes landed on Edwin—no, everyone was not there. Edwin’s new girlfriend, Vanessa, was conspicuously absent. Maybe now would be a good time to call her to come over for introductions.

  Edwin noticed me looking at him and approached. “Delaney, lass. You’ll show your family the warehouse, won’t you?”

  “Of course, but maybe not until later. They’re hoping for some sightseeing today. Did you hear what I did with Loch Ness?”

  “No.”

  I told him about our visit to Wikenton and my sleeping family, and he laughed.

  “I’ve heard worse stories, I suppose,” he said.

  “I owe them a trip up there, but I really wanted to talk to Ava. I … I’m feeling remiss in not visiting Norval’s place now. I think I should have done that first thing this morning.”

  “You don’t know the wee man well. You don’t owe him.” Edwin put his hand on my arm before I could say anything about Inspector Winters’ enthusiastic request. “I understand.” He looked around. “I got a message from Birk. He wanted tae talk tae me about something he remembered before he called the police tae tell them—he didn’t want tae discuss it over the phone. I’m tae go see him in a couple of hours, and there’s … Rosie showed me the pages in the scrapbook and told me about her visit with Winters. I saw the article from yesterday morning, and I wondered if Albert Winsom might be a suspect.” He shrugged. “I’m curious more than anything.”

  “I read the article too and had the same thought. Do you know him?”

  “I met him once, inquiring about some items. I deemed them trinkets and not collectible.”

  “Loch Ness monster things?”

  “Aye. He was none too pleased that I wouldn’t purchase them. He might not remember meeting me, but I thought I’d swing by and … I don’t know, I was just curious. We could stop by Norval’s flat too. Do you want tae go?”

  “I do!” I looked around. “But…”

  “I know, you have obligations. Get to Norval’s when you can and I will report back.”

  I sighed. “No, I’d like to go. Give me a minute.”

  Nothing like leaving your own wedding celebration party, before the gifts were even cracked open. In fact, I was surprised to see gifts tucked under the back table, but there they were, lovely in their wrapping paper and ribbons.

  However, Tom and Artair were enjoying my parents, and Hamlet and Wyatt were deep in discussion about American football.

  “Sorry,” I said to Tom as I pulled him aside. “This probably seems rude.”

  Tom smiled. “Not at all. We’ll tell secrets and stories about you while you’re away. It’s the best way for families tae get tae know each other.”

  Frankly, there wasn’t much to tell, but he did have a point. If someone wanted to air any of my only slightly soiled laundry, while I was gone might be the perfect time.

  “Thanks, Tom.”

  “For what? Being the luckiest man in the world?”

  I looked at him a long moment. “Kind of.”

  “Whoa, sis, get a room,” Wyatt said good-naturedly as Tom and I kissed.

  Ultimately, no one much cared that I was leaving with Edwin. Hector seemed the most disappointed. But as we reached the door, a hand landed on my arm.

  “Mom and Dad want to see a museum,” Wyatt said. “Not my thing, but your future father-in-law is excited about taking them. I can head out on my own, but I wondered if I could tag along with you two. I’d love to know more about what you do with your days.”

  “Of course, lad,” Edwin said.

  “Sure,” I said, trying hard to keep the hesitation out of my voice. I didn’t really think Edwin wanted Wyatt to join us, but he sounded sincere. I hoped he was. “Sure, come on.”

  Wyatt climbed into the back of Edwin’s car and said, “So, what are we doing?”

  I looked at Edwin and then at my brother in the back seat. “Investigating a murder.”

  Wyatt blinked and looked at me. “Well, that’s damn cool, sis. Let’s go.”

  Edwin nodded his approval and we were off.

  TWENTY-TWO

  I filled Wyatt in on what was going on, beginning with my first meeting with Norval. I told him everything, and in turn Edwin too. Wyatt understood why Edwin and I were curious about who might have killed the financial investor, but he thought the case was pretty cut-and-dried.

  “Norval wouldn’t have killed his great-nephew, even if he was mad at him. One of Gavin’s clients must have had enough of being stolen from and lied to. Norval’s pretty easy to frame, considering all the Loch Ness nonsense, so throw in a Nessie knife and, boom, you’ve misled the police. The real killer didn’t have to be all that crafty,” Wyatt said.

  “That’s probably exactly what the police think, lad, even with fingerprints that might or might not be Norval’s,” Edwin said as he pulled the car up to a curb parking spot. “And the gentleman you are about tae meet was not only a client of Gavin’s but a rival of Norval’s.”

  “Well, that’s even better. Surely, the police have talked to him,” Wyatt said.

  “We might find out,” Edwin said.

  The pharmacy was part of a long block of attached businesses, but its storefront was different from the other modern-ish facings. The window had the words CHEMIST: ALBERT WINSOM painted on it, and the intricate woodwork on the facade made it feel like a place from an old-timey village, perhaps like Wikenton had once been.

  “Albert is a chemist.” Edwin stated the obvious as we all stood on the sidewalk and looked at the window.

  “A pharmacist,” I told Wyatt.

  He nodded as he rubbed his chin, deep in thought.

  “Aye, that’s what you call them in the States,” Edwin said.

  I looked at the shop again. “Eye of newt stuff in there?”

  Edwin laughed. “It does seem particularly wicked and old-world, doesn’t it? Wait until you see the inside.”

  Immediately through the door we were greeted by an array of scents; a combination of things I was sure I’d never smelled before. I sniffed enthusiastically, noticing layers of lavender, yeast, coconut, and something woodsy. There were other scents there too, but I couldn’t identify them all. I’d expected something unpleasant, like when you first opened a container of vitamins, but there was nothing unpleasant about the smells in this place.

  The inside was even more old-world than the outside. Rows and rows of dark walnut shelves were built into the side walls, each shelf packed with filled jars. A quick glance didn’t reveal eyeballs or formaldehyde-soaked brains, but I wouldn’t have been surprised to see them or something even more shocking.

  Glass-topped display cases also lined the sides of the shop, sitting upon wood floors too scuffed to save. A narrow line of shelves stood at the back of the space and in front of another display case. The back case was adorned with a behemoth cash register that was sure to have big, button keys when we moved up there and could see it better.

  At first, I didn’t focus on the specific items, but when I looked again at the display cases I realized nothing inside of them had anything to do with medicine. They were filled with Loch Ness Monster items. Key rings, sunglasses, jacks games, paddle ball, and more.

  The
sound of a door shutting behind the back counter made some of the glass containers on the shelves rattle. The three of us made our way toward the counter and waited for the person attached to the shuffling footsteps to make it around to us.

  Turning the corner, the man jumped when he noticed us there.

  “Oh! I didnae hear the bell jingle,” he said from underneath his long bangs.

  He was slightly hunched, his thick, shoulder-length black hair parted so one side seemed to hang lower with the tilt of his shoulders.

  With a flourish, the man swept back the bangs and stood up a little straighter. “Edwin MacAlister! What a lovely surprise.”

  With a better view of him now, I concluded that he must have had a stroke at some point. But though his face drooped on one side and was lined with wrinkles, he smiled them away and his dark eyes lit up while greeting Edwin. He recognized my boss immediately, and if he’d been angry at him at some point, he wasn’t now. Albert Winsom, I presumed.

  I also made another assumption—Albert Winsom was in no shape to have physically bested Gavin MacLeod. If he snuck up on him, maybe, but he wouldn’t have been able to win a physical battle.

  However, because we’d gone there with suspicion already on our minds, I let another thought take seed: Could he be faking it? The second the thought cemented, though, I was embarrassed at myself for thinking it. No, he wasn’t faking. But there was still the sneaking-up-on-Gavin theory.

  I noticed that he didn’t seem to show any sign of stress from perhaps being questioned by the police, and he obviously hadn’t been arrested.

  “Albert! Lovely tae see you.” Edwin reached his hand forward and seemed to know that Albert shook with his left hand and arm.

  “Tae what do I owe this honor? Coming here, tae my neighborhood? And who’re the lad and lass? I dinnae remember ye having any wee-uns of yer own.”

  “Not my children, Albert. This is Delaney Nichols. She’s working at the bookshop, come from the United States. And this is her brother, Wyatt Nichols. He’s visiting for her wedding.”

  “A wedding? A lovely union, even if some of us have trouble keeping one together.” He smiled and then immediately frowned, then smiled again. “I wish ye all the luck though, lass.”

  “Thank you,” I said.

  He extended his left hand to me and then to Wyatt. We both shook, and I wondered if anyone else noticed the cuts on Albert’s hand. Edwin probably had. The diminishing well of suspicion filled back up a little.

  “I brought Delaney here today because she’s helping me with my collections. She has recently become interested in Nessie, the dear beast, and I thought I would show her your place,” Edwin said.

  On the way over, we’d discussed many things, but Edwin hadn’t mentioned any sort of plan about what to talk to Albert about. If he’d known about Albert’s physical condition, he didn’t mention that either. I knew to play along. By the looks of him—his focused squint and that continuing curious move of rubbing his chin—so did Wyatt, even if he was somewhat too obvious.

  “Really?” Albert’s eyes opened wide. “Changed yer mind about my ‘trinkets’ have ye?”

  Edwin laughed. “I simply don’t know, and Delaney is much better at this sort of thing than I’ve ever been.”

  “Aye?” Albert looked at me, a seriousness now clouding his eyes. “Have ye seen her? Have ye been up there tae the dark waters, tae her lair?”

  “I have been up to Loch Ness, but I haven’t seen her.” I paused. “Though I did hear something curious.”

  “Aye? When ye turned away from the water?” Albert asked.

  “Yes.”

  He nodded knowingly and then leaned forward. “Ye’ve been kissed by her, then. It’s her way of saying hello.”

  “Kissed?” I said with a smile. “I like that.”

  “Och, my own term, but I think it fits well. If ye go up again she might decide tae show herself. She needs time tae adjust tae the idea, but a kiss is a good beginning, I always say.”

  I thought of Norval’s father and the similar words he’d used to explain why he couldn’t introduce Norval to her until the next night.

  “That would be wonderful,” I said.

  “Aye, and then ye’d curse that moment from then on. It’s impossible tae forget her once ye really do see her.”

  “You’ve seen her, then?”

  “Aye.” He nodded sadly. “A time or two. I’ve no real proof, though. I’ll keep trying tae find her again, snap a picture. It’s my life, whatever I have left of it now.”

  My heart went out to him. He didn’t strike me as a killer, but it’d been my experience that killers were pretty good actors too. And there were the cuts on his hand.

  “I’ll hope we both get to see her,” I said.

  “I,” Wyatt put his hand on his chest and interjected, “slept through the whole thing. Jet lag.”

  Albert didn’t need further explanation. He chuckled once. “Ye’ll have tae try again, lad. It is well worth the trip. So, what is it about my collections ye’d like tae see? Many things are out here in the display cases, but I keep the really important things locked up at home. I could bring them back another day or we could make an appointment at my house.”

  “Can I choose both? I’ll look around here, but we can talk about what’s at your house too?” I said.

  “Talk about what I have at my house?” Albert looked at Edwin. “Ye didnae tell her?”

  “No, I didn’t. I wasn’t sure if you still had it. I didn’t want tae get her hopes up.”

  Albert looked toward the front doors of the shop, but no one was coming in. No one stood outside the windows and peered in. He lowered his voice. “A tooth, lass. I have one of Nessie’s teeth.”

  I was rendered speechless for a moment. When I finally found my words again, I said, “What’s it like? I mean, is it sharp, or more like a molar?”

  “Sharp! Of course.”

  “Of course.” I looked at Edwin again. “You’ve seen the tooth?”

  “I have.”

  “What … what did you think?”

  “I thought it was an unusual find, rare certainly.”

  “Is it a secret because you don’t want the authorities to know?” Wyatt asked.

  I cringed inwardly at the question. There were laws in the United States about relics found on public land. In my world of museum work, it was only natural that I knew the laws. Wyatt might have heard about them from me, but I didn’t remember us ever having such a conversation. I didn’t want him to sound as if he would call the authorities on Albert.

  “There are laws in the United States. Things need to be reported,” I added.

  “There is no law about Nessie teeth,” Albert said in a clipped tone. He turned to Edwin. “They’re not going tae report me tae anyone, are they?”

  “No! Of course not,” I said. I sent my brother a stern glance.

  “Of course not,” he said. “Never.”

  “Good.” Albert shook his head to himself. “Good.”

  “Is it okay if we just look around?” I asked.

  “Aye,” Albert said.

  “Actually,” I continued as I moved to a side display, “my interest in Nessie is because of a man named Norval Fraser. You know him, I’m sure?”

  Albert’s eyes flashed anger again. “Aye, I know the man, and I dinnae believe his stories one bit. He’s a fake. And a killer, most likely.”

  “You mean, he’s not telling the truth about seeing Nessie?” I asked, genuinely interested in that part.

  “That’s exactly what I mean. He’s never seen her and he doesnae respect her either. Norval’s father ran off with some harlot; he wasnae taken by the monster. His nephew was a piece of rot too. I’m not surprised Norval did away with him. Ye’ve seen Norval’s papers? A mess! It’s disrespectful. He’s a nuisance tae the cause. Now, maybe he’ll stay put away for good.”

  “Oh. Well, I don’t know,” I said. I didn’t bring up any newspaper articles I’d recently read; ne
ither the current one nor the copies in Rosie’s scrapbook.

  Albert’s eyebrows came together as he looked at me so fiercely that both Edwin and Wyatt moved closer to me. “Are ye really here for my Nessie collection? Ye ken I worked with Gavin, don’t ye? Ye saw my name in the paper. Ye think I might have had something tae do with Gavin MacLeod’s murder? Och, I should have ken better than tae think Edwin MacAlister would lower himself tae come see me, look over my things. Well, just so you know, the police did talk tae me, for a time longer than I wanted tae give them, but I have an airtight alibi, I do! They’ll not be around tae see me again. I won’t be telling you my alibi. I don’t owe you three a thing, so don’t even ask.”

  “Albert, that’s not why we’re here,” Edwin said sincerely. “The murder happened recently. Norval is top of mind, that’s all. We’re sorry for the loss of life. Perhaps Delaney wanted to express her condolences tae you if she thought you knew the lad.”

  “Well. I knew him, knew him well, and I don’t need any condolences!”

  I took a step toward Albert. “I am sorry, Mr. Winsom. I’ve heard Gavin might have stolen a lot of money from a lot of people. I’m sorry if you were one of his victims.”

  Albert sighed and shook his head again. For a moment, he wanted to be angry at me, but the look on my face must have convinced him that I was on his side.

  “I’ll be all right. There are others much worse off,” Albert said.

  “I’m sorry, Albert,” Edwin said. “I didn’t even think about you losing money. I should have put all that together.”

  He was a better actor than me.

  “I’ll be fine,” Albert said with a tone of finality.

  “Do you still travel up to Loch Ness every weekend?” Edwin asked.

  “Not every,” Albert said, but he didn’t continue.

  My eyes went to the cuts on his hand again, but I didn’t ask him about them.

  “May we still look around?” I asked.

  “Aye. Feel free,” Albert said, not sure whether he should sound put out or not.

  I thought he would leave, go through the door to the back. But he didn’t. Instead, he and Edwin fell into an amiable conversation about books. I eavesdropped as I looked up and down the shelves. Albert might have read as many books as Edwin and they were evenly matched in the strength of their opinions about those books. As they talked, Edwin steered them back to a friendly acquaintanceship. He was good at that.