‘Calm your beans,’ said Munro. ‘I’d ask him first, Charlie, we may think he’s destined for greater things but some folk are happy with their lot. Aside from that, I’m glad. I think it’s the right decision.’
‘Good. Now I’ve got a question for you.’
‘On you go.’
‘Fraser. What was all that about in the interview room, you know, when you were trying to mitigate his behaviour because of stress?’
‘Simply that, Charlie. The chap’s entitled to know what help there is at his disposal.’
‘Yeah, but he flipping-well topped someone, didn’t he?’
‘See here, Charlie,’ said Munro, waving a forkful of haddock in her face, ‘let’s say you were out for the evening and, forgive me if this reminds you of your old habits, but let’s say you were blootered and you took offence at something somebody said, and consequently gave them a wee smack. They call the police, you’re arrested, convicted of assault, and handed a custodial. Would you say that was fair?’
‘No! Of course not,’ said West. ‘I didn’t know what I was doing.’
‘Aye, maybe, but drunk or otherwise, are you still not accountable for your actions?’
‘Yes but there were extenuating circumstances.’
‘By which you mean you were under the influence?’
‘Yeah.’
‘Well, the situation’s no different for that Fraser fellow. It’s possible, not proven, that he reacted the way he did because of abnormally high stress levels. It’s not different to being intoxicated. Apart from one thing.’
‘And what’s that?’
‘You became intoxicated through choice and by your own hand. His situation may have arisen because of circumstances beyond his control.’
‘You think so?’
‘I know so,’ said Munro. ‘See here, Charlie, I’m not defending the fellow. I’m in the business of finding and convicting those who have broken the law, but I’ll not send a man to the gallows for stealing a mince pie just because he was hungry.’
‘Okay. Point taken,’ said West. ‘So, what’s happening tomorrow, have you got a plan, Stan?’
‘A vague one,’ said Munro as drained his glass. ‘I’ve some chores to attend to.’
‘Nothing too strenuous, I hope. Remember what McLeod said.’
‘Just a wee spot of decorating. Some painting in fact. There’s nothing too strenuous about that.’
‘No,’ said West, ‘but you might die of boredom.’
‘If you studied mindfulness,’ said Munro as he topped up their glasses, ‘you’d realise the benefits of such a task. It’s very relaxing, therapeutic even.’
‘So is a large Balvenie,’ said West, ‘and I know which one I’d rather choose. Will you be okay to drive back in the morning or do you want me to give you a lift?’
Munro glanced at West with a knowing wink.
‘If it wasn’t for a fundamental flaw in your generous offer Charlie, I’d gladly accept.’
‘What flaw?’
‘If you give me a lift, then I shall be without my car.’
‘Good point. I know, we’ll take yours.’
‘And how will you get back?’
‘Doesn’t quite work, does it?’ said West. ‘Oh bugger it, you’ll be fine. If you get in a fix, just give me a bell.’
‘And yourself, lassie?’ said Munro. ‘What does the new day hold in store for you?’
‘Oh there’s all that lovely paperwork to look forward to for a start…’
‘You cannae make a rainbow without rain, Charlie.’
‘…and knowing my luck, as soon as I walk through the door, DCI Elliot will have a festering corpse at the bottom of an abandoned mineshaft that needs looking into, which means, all in all, it should be one hell of a rainbow.’
‘And that’s why you like the job, Charlie, because there’s nothing mundane about it. In fact, it’s positively fascinating. Aye, that’s the word, fascinating.’
Character List
JAMES MUNRO (RETIRED) – Convalescing from open-heart surgery, Munro, unable to relax in the company of dolphins and eagles, heeds the call of a perplexed colleague in Dumfries and becomes embroiled in the discovery a missing person.
DI CHARLOTTE WEST – With Munro’s health a major concern, West welcomes the diversion of a motiveless crime involving the body of a swimming instructor found floating in a leisure pool.
DS DOUGAL McCRAE – Taking the helm during the early stages of the investigation, Dougal finds some plausible suspects but much to his chagrin, each without a motive.
DC DUNCAN REID – Dividing his time between West and the floating cadaver, and surreptitiously aiding Munro in his quest to identify the missing person, Duncan finds himself stretched to breaking point.
DCI GEORGE ELLIOT – The ebullient DCI Elliot steps in to quietly guide West out of a maze of tangled emotions concerning her mentor’s health following surgery.
DR ANDY MCLEOD – Forensic pathologist Andy McLeod imparts some disturbing news concerning the body in the pool whilst trying to cajole a harried West on a date.
NANCY WILSON – Employed at the leisure centre, the vegetarian fitness instructor has few friends and fewer enemies which leaves detectives scratching their heads when an apparently motiveless attack leaves her for dead.
ARCHIE GALBRAITH – Unofficial spokesman for a small village community, Galbraith, successful businessman and headmaster at the local school, tries to hide when his cloak of integrity goes up in flames.
RUPERT LEA – A quiet, unassuming loner with an unhealthy interest in the internet and women of a certain age finds himself at the centre of an investigation when the object of his desire is found dead.
JOHN NEVIN – A groundsman of questionable experience with a knack for catching anything that falls off the back of a lorry, Nevin finds himself as the focus of attention when his ex-girlfriend suffers horrific injuries at the hands of an assailant.
CRAIG MCPHERSON – An aspiring boxer who spent more time on the canvas than Vincent van Gogh, McPherson, a jobbing labourer and handyman, will do anything for cash if the price is right.
IAIN FRASER – A talented builder with an eye for perfection, a loving wife and two teenage daughters, Fraser finds a decline in work a strain on his resources and soon seeks other ways of supplementing his income.
Other books in this series:
RANCOUR is the eighth book in this series featuring DI Munro and DS West. Here are details of the other books, all available on Kindle and in paperback:
SHE – Book 1
With a serial killer on their hands, Scottish detective Munro and rookie sergeant West must act fast to trace a woman placed at the scene of crime. Yet discovering her true identity, let alone finding her, proves difficult. Soon they realise the crime is far graver than either of them could have imagined.
amazon.com / amazon.co.uk
AVARICE – Book 2
A sleepy Scottish town, a murder in a glen. The local police chief doesn’t want a fuss and calls in DI Munro to lead the investigation. But Munro is a stickler for procedure, and his sidekick Charlie West has a nose for a cover up. Someone in the town is guilty, will they find out who?
amazon.com / amazon.co.uk
ENMITY – Book 3
When it comes to frustrating a criminal investigation, this killer has all the moves. A spate of murders is causing havoc among in a remote Scottish town. Enter Detective Inspector Munro to catch the red herrings and uncover an elaborate and wicked ruse.
amazon.com / amazon.co.uk
DUPLICITY – Book 4
When a foreign worker casually admits to the murder of a local businessman, detectives in a small Scottish town guess that the victim’s violent death points to a more complex cause. Money appears to be a motive, but will anyone believe that they might be in fact dealing with a crime of passion?
amazon.com / amazon.co.uk
TERMINUS – Book 5
Avid fans of Scottish detective James M
unro will be worrying it is the end of the line for their favourite sleuth when, battered and bruised following a hit and run, the veteran crime-solver can’t pin down a likely suspect.
amazon.com / amazon.co.uk
TALION – Book 6
A boy finds a man’s body on a beach. Police quickly suspect foul play when they discover he was part of a local drugs ring. With no shortage of suspects, they have a job pinning anyone down. But when links to a local business are discovered, it seems the detectives may have stumbled upon a much bigger crime than they could have imagined.
amazon.com / amazon.co.uk
PERDITION – Book 7
A man is found dead in his car. A goat is killed with a crossbow. What connects these events in a rural Scottish backwater? DI Charlotte West investigates in this gripping murder mystery that ends with a sucker punch of a twist.
amazon.com / amazon.co.uk
RANCOUR – Book 8
When the body of a girl found on a mountainside tests positive for a date rape drug, the police suspect a local Lothario is responsible. He certainly had the means, motive and opportunity. But is this really such a cut and dry case? A spanner is thrown in the works when another girl is found murdered. What are the detectives missing?
amazon.com / amazon.co.uk
More brilliant fiction by Pete Brassett:
THE WILDER SIDE OF CHAOS
YELLOW MAN
CLAM CHOWDER AT LAFAYETTE AND SPRING
THE GIRL FROM KILKENNY
BROWN BREAD
PRAYER FOR THE DYING
KISS THE GIRLS
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