by Mona Marple
The teenage girl nestled into her mother, which was difficult given her long and leggy frame.
“You don’t want to stay with your dad, Trixie?” Sandy asked. The girl shook her head but said nothing.
“Do you know when the police will be here?” Devon asked.
“I don’t.” Sandy said. “Hopefully soon. Can you tell me about your relationship with Marlene?”
“She was my mother-in-law.” Devon said.
“Were you close?”
“No.”
“Did you like each other?”
“We weren’t friends, Sandy. I married into her family.”
“So it wasn’t a close relationship.” Sandy said. It was hard work, extracting information from Devon.
“No.”
“Your husband, he was close to his mother?”
“Very.” Devon said.
“Did that bother you?”
“No.”
Sandy paused, waiting for Devon to fill the silence. She didn’t.
“It didn’t bother you at all?”
Devon cracked her knuckles and sighed. “Why would it? It really wasn’t my business how close Jeff was to her. I had better things to worry about.”
“Like your work?”
“Yes.”
“What do you do exactly? I know you’re a scientist.”
“That’s right.” Devon said.
Sandy took out her notebook and scribbled notes that Devon wouldn’t be able to read, while watching to see if her action caused any response. It didn’t. Devon was cool as a cucumber. Sandy didn’t like her.
“Who do you think killed Marlene?”
Devon shrugged.
“You have no idea?”
“No.”
“Devon, I understand that you want to get your plane sorted, but I need people to be open with me so I can solve this case.”
“Okay.” Devon said, but her demeanour was unchanged.
“How would you describe yourself? Is this the real you, sitting there? You seem detached.”
Devon smiled. “I am detached.”
“Okay… why?”
“I always have been.”
Sandy glanced at Trixie, who had closed her eyes and placed her thumb in her mouth.
“How old is your daughter?”
“Sixteen.”
“Did she get on with her grandmother?” Sandy asked. She expected the focus on Trixie would force emotion from Devon.
“Trixie?” Devon prompted.
“Yeah, I love her, she’s great.” Trixie said without opening her eyes.
“Well, if you don’t have anything else to add, I’m done.”
“Thanks.” Devon said. Trixie stood up and then Devon did, and they walked out of the room in front of Sandy, their arms linked together.
Sandy returned to Tom’s side.
“Well, if we’re looking for a cold, calculated killer, it’s Devon.” Sandy said. “I can’t read that woman at all. I don’t know if she just doesn’t care, or well, just really doesn’t care.”
Tom gazed past Sandy and a smile crept onto his face. She followed his gaze.
Devon and Trixie were curled into each other, and it looked as if Trixie had fallen asleep. Devon stroked her hair and planted a kiss on her forehead.
“I know what you’re thinking.” Sandy said.
“Yeah, she doesn’t look cold or calculated.”
“Maybe she really is just uninterested in the McVeigh family.”
“Could be.” Tom said. “Look, I’m going to chase the police again. I can’t believe they’re not here yet.”
Sandy nodded at him as he walked through the drawing room and out of the castle. It was nearly 1pm.
She had interviewed all of the suspects.
And she had no idea who the murderer was.
All she knew, as she stood by the velvet rope and faced the chairs, was that she was standing in the same room as the killer and that the police were in no rush to come and keep the rest of them safe.
She jumped as a huge bolt of thunder roared across the sky, causing the lights to flicker.
She swallowed a gulp and hoped that Tom would return quickly.
13
“Everyone listen.” Sandy called to the group. “The police are still not on their way. They can’t physically get here until the weather improves. So we all need to sit tight and wait. If anyone wants to speak to me again, with new information, just let me know.”
“Can I go and make a call now?” Devon asked.
“No, nobody can make a call or leave this room.” Sandy said.
“You can’t keep us trapped in here.” Devon said. She stood up, gently moving a still-asleep Trixie. “I’m not a prisoner. I’m going to stand outside and make some calls.”
“Devon.” Sandy said. “You won’t be on a plane tonight. So if you want to go and book an extra seat, there’s no point.”
“I can’t miss my flight.” Devon said.
“Will you listen to yourself? Our mother has been killed and you’re worrying about work as normal!” Teddy shouted, from his foetus-like position on the floor.
“I wouldn’t expect you to understand.” Devon muttered under her breath.
“I understand plenty!” Teddy exclaimed. “And I know when someone’s priorities are wrong.”
“Teddy, you need to calm down.” Devon said. “I’m going to make that call now, Sandy.”
“Go with her.” Sandy told Tom, who nodded and followed her out of the room.
“Don’t talk to my mom like that.” Trixie said. She must have been disturbed when Devon stood up. “She doesn’t deserve it.”
“I’m sorry Trix.” Teddy said. “We’re all just upset.”
“This family don’t respect our mothers.” Hamm said. He had folded a sheet of paper into a ball and threw it into the air repeatedly, catching it then tossing it up again.
“Now isn’t the time.” Eli said, his voice low.
“It’s never the time.” Hamm said. He stood up and moved away from his father, taking a seat next to Trixie, who despite being a year older was much smaller than him. She offered him the weak smile of a nervous ally.
“Can we get out of here yet?” Priscilla asked, awake. She lay prone on a bench. Her constantly startled eyes had taken on a mad look. “This place is too cold.”
It was true. The heating system installed in the castle was adequate for the length of the tour, but the large spaces were too cold to spend hours in. The small office room was warm, but the public spaces were chilly.
All of a sudden, Devon reappeared with Tom at her heels.
“The police are on their way.” She called to the group. She noticed Trixie sat next to Hamm and raised an eyebrow. Trixie stood up and moved to an empty seat, and Devon took the seat next to her.
“Excellent. Thank you.” Sandy said. “Let’s sit tight, the police will be here soon.”
“I wish we’d never come here.” Eli said. The group murmured their agreement.
“I can’t believe she’s gone.” Jeff said. “She talked about coming here and tracing the family tree for so many years, and she never got chance.”
“She was only here now to prove a point.” Eli said.
“What?”
“Oh come on, this whole holiday was planned by her to show Meghan what she’d lost.” Eli said. His voice was matter-of-fact but his foot tapped the stone floor furiously as he spoke.
“Watch what you’re saying.” Teddy said. “It was mon’s dream to come here. It’s not her fault your wife looked elsewhere.”
Eli dropped his head into his hands and let out a low scream of frustration.
“Dad?” Hamm asked. He moved across the room and placed an arm around his father.
“I’ve lost them both.” Eli whispered and descended into tears.
Sandy watched the scene unfold. She noted how Devon remained at the periphery, not offering comfort or criticism to anyone, focused only on Trixie. She saw ho
w Priscilla increased her own display of emotion whenever another person seemed to compete for the position of chief mourner. And she saw how Teddy, whose entire income source had just disappeared, rocked back and forth slowly on the floor.
“Can I go back to the banquet hall?” Teddy asked, his voice wavered as he spoke.
“No, we can’t allow that.” Sandy said. “It’s a crime scene.”
Teddy nodded and began to cry. “She shouldn’t be alone in there.”
Sandy watched him in his grief and felt a lump form in her throat. “I’m sorry, Teddy. All of you, I’m sorry this has happened. I can’t imagine what you’re all going through.”
She made eye contact with Hamm and saw how young he looked, the child behind the cool, baseball-capped exterior. “I spoke to your mum, Hamm. She sends her love.”
“You spoke to my mom?” He asked. The colour drained from his face. “Is she okay?”
“She’s fine. She sends her love to you. And you, Eli.”
Eli’s cheeks flushed at her words, and he smiled and nodded in her direction. His eyes were full of uncried tears.
“If only she was here.” Jeff said.
“Don’t you dare!” Hamm cried. “You turned your back on her. All of you did.”
“What did you mean, Jeff? If only she was here?”
Eli took a deep breath. “She’s a trauma nurse. I imagine he means that she may have been able to help.”
Jeff nodded. “She’s a fine nurse. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset anyone. I know emotions are running high.”
“Jeff, there was no saving your mum.” Graeme said. HIs voice surprised Sandy. He had said little throughout the time since Marlene was killed and, as often happens, the sparsity of his words made them seem authoratitive.
“He’s right.” Devon said. “She would have died instantly.”
Jeff bit his lip and nodded his head. Up and down. Up and down. Sandy turned away after a full minute, not wanting to watch any longer.
“Devon just rang the airport?” She asked Tom.
“And the police.”
“Did she book another seat on the flight?”
“Yep. Bumped them both into First Class. Economy was full.”
Sandy shook her head. “She just won’t listen. The police will need statements from everyone, there’s no way any of us are going far today.”
“She just wants to be in control.” Tom said. “I know you have your suspicions about her but I like her. I like her more than Priscilla anyway. She’s acting as if she’s the big victim here, and yet she can’t stand the woman who was killed. And, her husband is devastated, and she hasn’t shown him one bit of sympathy. The only time she went close to him was so she could collapse in his lap.”
“You’d rather a cool, practical woman?” Sandy asked with a cheeky grin.
“If they were the two choices, absolutely.”
“Tom, you’re a genius.” Sandy said. He eyed her quizzically. “You’ve given me an idea.”
14
The mainland police arrived as the sky grew dark. The storm had retreated and only the usual sound of the wind blowing outside could be heard through the thick castle walls. The noise was reassuring to Sandy.
The castle’s position atop a hillside, just like Waterfell Tweed’s own elevated location, meant that wind was to be expected.
They burst into the drawing room, six male officers and three female officers, dressed in full riot gear as if they were attending a hostage situation.
“It’s okay.” Sandy said, holding her arms up in the air. “Everyone’s here, present and accounted for.”
The officers slowly relaxed and removed their helmets.
Priscilla had fallen asleep again, and so had Trixie, who was curled up against her mother’s slender frame.
After the lively discussion earlier, the group had fallen silent, each person focused on their thoughts. Sandy had taken the chance to watch them in turn and develop her theory.
“What happens now?” She asked the male officer who appeared to be taking the lead.
“We need ta take ye all in for questioning.” He said through a thick Scottish accent.
“I’ve already interviewed all of the suspects.” Sandy said.
The officer began to laugh. He had a thick white moustache and looked a little like a walrus. “Including yoursen, ave ye?”
“Well, no.” Sandy stuttered. She hadn’t expected this response. “I know I didn’t do it.”
“S’what they all say.” He said. “Ye police?”
“No, but I do investigate murders. I’ve solved three.” Sandy said. She tried to remain confident. “I knew it was important to speak to people quickly, and separately, so I set up a makeshift interview room and I can give you a summary of that information.”
“Ah. Well, lassie, we’ll tell ye if we want it.” He said. He coughed up some phlegm into his hand and reached into his pocket for a grotty handkerchief, to which he added the phlegm, before addressing the group as a whole. “Listen up, we’ll be moving ye across soon.”
He moved past Sandy as if they hadn’t spoken a word to each other before, and headed out of the room towards the banquet hall. Sandy began to walk after him until a hand gripped her arm and stopped her. She turned to see a female officer.
“You have to stay in here.” The woman explained.
Sandy let out a sigh. She had been transformed from investigator to suspect. Or witness at least. “There’s no lighting in the room where Marlene is. I wanted to tell him he’ll need a torch.”
“He’s got it covered. You need to stay here with everyone else.”
Sandy nodded and took a seat next to Tom. “I can’t believe I didn’t see this coming.”
“What do you mean?”
“We’re suspects now! I imagined the police would arrive, I’d explain what had happened, and they’d thank us for our help.”
Tom smiled across at her. “They just need to secure the scene to start. You know, it’s pretty amazing really.”
“What is?”
“Everything they’re doing, it’s the things you did. I mean, Graeme was pretty clueless, which is fair enough. When you’re a tour guide you don’t expect to have to handle a murder. But you sprung into action and did the right things. Don’t beat yourself up because you haven’t found out who did it.”
Sandy bit her lip and looked up at him.
“What does that look mean?” Tom asked.
“Wait and see!” Sandy said, with a wink.
The officer with the thick accent returned to the room and gestured to two of his colleagues. They stood close together by the doorway and he whispered to them. He caught Sandy’s eye at one point but blanked her. When he finished speaking, the two officers nodded at each other and walked out of the drawing room towards the banquet hall.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank ye for your patience. We have some work to do here gathering the evidence and then we’ll all leave together.”
“Will you be taking us to the mainland?” Devon asked, her mind no doubt focused on her flight time.
“No.” He said. “We’ll be using a station here on Mull. You’ll all be interviewed. It’s going to be a long night. Now, who do we have here? Names, please.”
He went down the group one by one, each person providing their name.
“Stay awake now, lasses.” He said, with a glance towards Trixie and Priscilla. “Surprised ye can sleep after what’s happened.”
“We flew in from America yesterday. We’re all pretty jet lagged.” Eli explained. Was he the new head of the family, Sandy wondered, now that Marlene was gone.
“Well, I’m advising ye to stay awake and alert. One of ye is a murderer, after all.”
Sandy flinched at the officer’s blunt words.
“Excuse me?” She said. She stood up and the officer looked at her in a way that suggested more exasperation than curiosity. “I believe I can save you and your colleagues a great deal of work. I know
who the murderer is.”
A gasp came from the group, but Sandy was focused only on the police officer, her steely stare daring him to object.
“A confession is it?” He asked.
“No.” Sandy said. “I’m being serious. Will you give me ten minutes?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” The officer said. He looked past her in the direction of the banquet hall, where several of his colleagues had gone to secure the scene.
“Please.” A voice came.
Sandy turned to see Teddy. He was up off the floor and stood near her, his face pained.
“I want to know what happened. If you think you know, I’d like to hear it.” Teddy said.
The officer shrugged. “I can give ye ten minutes.”
“I need everyone’s attention.” Sandy called. Priscilla rubbed her eyes, her mascara trailed across her cheeks. Eli cleared his throat and placed his hand in his son’s.
Devon glanced at her watch, met Sandy’s gaze, then returned the movement and checked her watch again.
“Teddy, it’s interesting to me that you are so keen to know what happened.” Sandy began. She had never addressed a crowd at such a momentous occasion and felt sick with nerves. “You were my first suspect.”
Sandy watched as the colour drained from Teddy’s face.
“Me? I adored my mother.” Teddy said.
“Adored her too much.” Priscilla spat from her seat.
“It’s an interesting dynamic to me, your relationships with your mother and your wife. You certainly seemed devastated by her death. But, then, so did everyone else, and yet one of you killed her. I know that lots of you wanted the killer to be myself, or Tom, or Graeme, so it wasn’t a family killing. But I know it wasn’t me, and I was holding hands with Tom all the time the lights were out so I know it wasn’t him.”
“And Graeme? How much does anyone know about him?” Teddy asked, his voice high-pitched. He had resumed his frantic pacing.
Graeme sat at the far edge of the group, close to Tom. He shook his head slowly. “I know it would be a hundred times easier for you all if it was me, but it wasn’t. I’m not a killer, and I had no reason to want to hurt Marlene. She seemed like a nice lady.”