Munro, recognising immediately the monogrammed label overwritten in blue ink, uncharacteristically snatched it from her hands, tore it open and hastily flicked through the contents.
‘Isobel,’ he said, passing it to West as he stood and pulled on his coat, ‘your decision-making may leave a bit to be desired, but you were right about one thing.’
‘What’s that?’ said Crawford as they left her standing alone and confused.
‘Case closed,’ said Munro. ‘End of.’
Chapter 25
The moon, set against a clear night sky peppered with stars, cast a bright, silvery wash over Dunmore House, rendering the lights along the drive superfluous. Munro killed the engine and sat silently as West, awestruck, watched a red vixen scamper across the lawn on a quest for food.
‘Magical,’ she whispered, ‘so much nicer seeing them in the wild than foraging through the bin bags on the high street for a piece of KFC.’
‘Well, someone’s got to eat it, lassie,’ said Munro, ‘I’m just glad it’s not me.’
West turned to face him.
‘The Fiscal,’ she said, ‘I can’t believe she kicked us out just because some overgrown parking attendant’s coming up from the city.’
‘Och, I know it’s annoying, Charlie, but you cannae blame her, she’s just covering her back. Dinnae forget, thanks to Nick, it was she who bent the rules to get us involved in the first place.’
‘Yeah, I suppose you’re right. At least she was good enough to show us the report.’
‘Aye. And now we’ve got all we need, shall we?’
* * *
Fraser, wary of receiving visitors after nightfall, did not heave the door open with her usual aplomb, instead, she eased it ajar, just a couple inches, just enough to ascertain who the callers might be. Despite the look of relief on her face, she seemed, thought West, perturbed. Her smile was strained; her body, tense; her eyes, not too keen on making contact with hers.
‘Apologies for the untimely intrusion, Mrs. Fraser,’ said Munro, ‘but it’s important. We wouldnae be here otherwise, you know that, don’t you?’
‘Of course,’ said Fraser, diffidently, ‘it’s quite alright.’
‘You’re sure, now? We’re not keeping you from your bed, are we?’
‘Och no, it’s early yet. Now, in you come. Will I fetch you something? Tea perhaps, or a wee drop of…’
‘No, no, you’re alright,’ said Munro, closing the door behind him and unzipping his jacket, ‘very kind, but we’ll not keep you long.’
Fraser cocked her head to one side and regarded Munro with a frown.
‘You don’t seem your usual self, Inspector,’ she said, ‘have you left that charming smile of yours in the motor car?’
‘I’m afraid this is quite serious, Mrs. Fraser. If I wore a smile, I’d have to book myself for deception.’
‘Well, in that case, you’d best go through, have yourself a seat.’
Munro, hands clasped behind his back, paced slowly back and forth until Fraser, clearly unsettled by his demeanour, joined West on the sofa.
‘I’ll not beat around the bush, Mrs. Fraser,’ he said, turning to face her, ‘did you know Freida had a Will?’
‘I’m sorry?’
‘A Last Will and Testament?’
‘Well, I…’
‘Did she ever discuss with it you?’
‘I’m sorry, Inspector, but I don’t quite see…’
‘Mrs. Fraser,’ said Munro, sternly, ‘I’m sorry if I sound, brusque, impatient even, but if you’re not willing to…’
‘Yes, yes, alright. She did discuss it.’
‘What, exactly?’
‘Well,’ said Fraser hesitantly, ‘it was more of a joke, really. We joked about it. She said, if she goes first, I’ll have nothing to worry about, that I’d be well looked after. And I’d say, if I went first, she’d get nothing.’
‘And?’
‘And what? That was it. I’d tell her to stop being so morbid. That I didn’t want her money.’
‘You didn’t want her money?’ said Munro.
‘Well, no…’
‘Why do you think she wanted to leave it to you?’ said West. ‘And not her sister perhaps? Or her daughter?’
‘I don’t know, Sergeant, all I know is, she said … she said she was depressed about her relationship with her daughter, called her selfish and greedy. A scrounger and a gold digger. She told me she’d rather leave it to someone more deserving, someone who’d enjoy it, not squander it. Someone who’d loved her for who she was. Anyway, what does it matter? I doubt she even went through with it.’
‘Are you sure about that?’ said Munro.
‘Yes, of course,’ said Fraser, bewildered, ‘it was small talk between friends, why do you ask?’
‘Because, Mrs. Fraser, Freida changed her Will just two days before she died, and she made you the main beneficiary.’
Fraser, wide-eyed, regarded Munro, then West, with a look of astonishment.
‘Well, goodness me,’ she said, patting her chest, ‘I really don’t what to say.’
Munro, eking out an excruciating pause, turned and strode purposefully towards the fireplace.
‘You never did get over Donald, did you Mrs. Fraser?’ he said, throwing her off guard.
‘Donald?’
‘You and he, you were quite the lovebirds, once upon a time, were you not?’
‘Me and…? Utter pish,’ said Fraser, surprised, ‘I’ve never heard such…’
‘Mrs. Fraser,’ said Munro slowly, as he glared at her, ‘I’ve spoken with Mr. Reid. He’s told me about your, relationship.’
Fraser blanched.
‘I imagine you were quite distraught when he left you to marry somebody else. Aye, of course you were, it’s only natural, but you muddled through, you managed to cope. In fact, even the arrival of a wee bairn, young Duncan there, couldnae keep you away. As long as you could see him, talk to him, have a wee drink maybe, it meant you had hope. Is that not right? Good. But there was one thing you couldnae cope with, Mrs. Fraser. One thing you simply could not abide, and that was the fact that, after all these years, your best friend, someone you trusted implicitly, was having an affair with him. Right under your nose.’
Fraser, in an effort to assert herself, stood abruptly.
‘I need a sherry,’ she said stoically, ‘can I interest either of you in a glass?’
West declined politely as Munro waited for her to return to her seat. He stood, motionless, and watched as she sipped her sherry, then downed it in one.
‘See, here, Mrs. Fraser,’ he said, staring at the floor, ‘here’s the thing. I think you knew Freida had changed her Will, and I think you knew she’d made you the main beneficiary, but, I don’t believe she did it out of the kindness of heart, or because she held you in such high regard. She did it because you told her to. You blackmailed her. You threatened to tell Mrs. Reid about Freida’s affair with her husband, knowing full well that such a revelation would have blown them apart. Can you imagine the consequences? Can you imagine just how devastated that family would have been? Dear, dear, especially young Duncan. It would have ruined his career in the force, I mean, imagine the papers, in a town like this, they’d have had a field day. But you know Freida, Mrs. Fraser, generous to a fault. Never put herself first. So, she gave in to your demand, and she changed her Will, simply to protect Donald’s family. Now, would you say I’m right, or thereabouts?’
West held her breath for fear of breaking the silence whilst Fraser, not daring to look up, hung her head and nodded.
‘Good,’ said Munro, startling them both as he clapped his hands, ‘let’s move on, then. Next item on the agenda.’
‘Next item?’ said Fraser, almost quivering with shock. ‘You mean there’s more?’
‘Oh, aye,’ said Munro, grinning, ‘lots more. You see, the main reason we’re here, Mrs. Fraser, is to give you some good news. I’m sure you’ll be glad to know, we’ve caught the person r
esponsible for Freida’s death.’
Fraser fell back in her seat, sighing as though a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
‘Well, thank goodness for that,’ she said, ‘thank goodness. I hope they get what they deserve. Perhaps now she can be laid to rest.’
‘Aye, that she can,’ said Munro, ‘that, she can.’
‘I don’t know about you, but I could do with another drink,’ said Fraser, passing the empty glass to West, ‘would you mind, dear?’
West duly obliged and recharged her glass.
‘Now,’ said Munro, ‘to continue. Mrs. Fraser, you remember those chaps from forensics? The gentlemen who took all those bits and bobs from Freida’s kitchen, you know, the glasses and the wine bottles and…?’
‘Och, yes. Very polite they were. Didnae say very much, though.’
‘No, I doubt they did. Probably concentrating on their work. Anyway, they analysed everything they took away, ran all sorts of clever, wee, scientific tests, and they came back with some interesting results.’
‘Really?’
‘Oh aye,’ said Munro. ‘for example, did you know, one of those bottles was contaminated with anti-freeze?’
‘Anti-freeze?’ said Fraser, puzzled.
‘Aye, would you believe it? Anti-freeze. I never knew anti-freeze was poisonous, but, if administered correctly, say, mixed with alcohol, you cannae even taste it. You cannae taste a thing, but, a day or so later, well, job done, as they say.’
‘Well, I never.’
‘Interesting, is it not?’ said Munro. ‘So’s this. Remember the wine Nick brought for Freida?’
‘Yes, I do,’ said Fraser, smiling, ‘the Riesling, och, and it was open! The bottle was open. You don’t mean…? Surely not? Not young Nick, dear God, how could he … why on earth would he…?’
‘Hold on there, Mrs. Fraser, hold on, now,’ said Munro. ‘You’re very good, but you’ll not be nominated for an Oscar anytime soon.’
Fraser, scratching nervously at the empty glass with her nails, glanced at West.
‘I’m sorry, Inspector?’ she said, quietly. ‘What do you mean?’
‘The bottle of Riesling was clean. There was nothing wrong with it, same with the Tempranillo, but you knew that already, didn’t you? It was the other bottle that was contaminated. The bottle of Pinot Grigio. The Pinot you bought for Freida.’
‘Patience is a virtue, Mrs. Fraser,’ said West, standing, ‘if you hadn’t been so hasty, you’d have got your money, eventually.’
Epilogue
With the regatta due to start in less than twelve hours, and every hotel and bed and breakfast booked solid for the next fortnight, parking anywhere in Inverkip had suddenly become worse than trying to find a space in a multi-storey on Black Friday. This left Munro with no option but to park his car on the verge, where it would no doubt be ticketed by sunrise, and walk the 500 yards back to the hotel.
‘Snifter?’ said West, turning her collar up against the cold, night air. ‘Bar’s still open.’
‘No, no, it’s late,’ said Munro, ‘well, perhaps just a wee one.’
‘Who’d have thought, eh? Mrs. Fraser, of all people. Dear old, kind, sweet, friendly, Mrs. Fraser. She seemed so nice, like…’
‘Like butter wouldn’t melt?’ said Munro. ‘There’s a reason for that, Charlie, she’s as cold as ice.’
‘Have you told Isobel?’ said West, smiling.
‘Aye,’ said Munro, ‘well, she wasnae there, I left her a message. I told her Fraser’s been charged, she’s being held in custody, and the report’s on what used to be my desk. She can pick it up tomorrow.’
West drove her hands deep into her pockets and shrugged off a shiver.
‘There’s something quite forlorn about her,’ she said, ‘downtrodden. Don’t you think?’
‘Who? Isobel? Och, she’s just lonely,’ said Munro, ‘she’ll find someone, soon enough.’
‘She’s still got the hots for you.’
‘Aye, and I’m not in the market for getting burned.’
‘Why don’t you have lunch with her?’
‘I’ll not lead her on, Charlie, I’m spoken for. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a compassionate fellow, charitable even, but I’m not a masochist.’
‘So, what happens now?’ said West with a sigh.
‘All back to normal,’ said Munro, ‘no doubt you’ll be heading back south, pick up where you left off?’
‘Maybe,’ said West.
‘Maybe? Are you not missing your home? Your wee flat and all your pals?’
‘To be honest, no. Not really.’
‘Och, see here Charlie,’ said Munro, ‘it’s just like coming back off your holidays, once you’re back in the swing, you’ll be fine.’
‘Yeah, suppose so.’
‘Trust me, if I know you, and I do, it’ll not be long before you make D.I.’
‘Maybe,’ said West, ‘but, the thing is, I quite…’
West paused as they reached the hotel.
‘Quite what?’ said Munro.
‘Oh, nothing,’ said West, ‘forget about it.’
‘No, no, go on, let’s hear it.’
‘I’m just not sure I’m ready for it. I like it here, it’s slower than London, easier on the eye, less aggression. Oh, I don’t know, people just seem to smile more.’
‘Aye, right enough,’ said Munro, laughing, ‘although that’s probably because they’ve just had a win at the bookies.’
West said nothing, smiled softly and pushed open the door.
‘Are you familiar with the concept of gardening?’ said Munro, holding back.
‘Sorry?’
‘The planting of flowers, shrubs and trees, to create an outdoor space where one might like to … linger?’
‘I’ve never tried. Why?’
‘Well, I’ve a garden to sort out, I promised Jean I’d do it once this case was closed. If you’re not in a hurry to go home, I’ve a spare room, not very big, but adequate enough. You’re welcome to stay a while, if you like.’
‘Really?’ said West. ‘With you? Are you sure?’
‘Och, you’d be doing me a favour, really. I could use the company. To be honest, it can get a wee bit…’
‘I think I’d like that. I think I’d like that, a lot.’
‘Aye, you probably will, Charlie. You probably will.’
Character List
D.I. JAMES MUNRO – Shrewd, smart and cynical with an inability to embrace retirement, he has a knack for expecting the unexpected.
D.S. CHARLOTTE WEST – Racked with self-doubt after a floundering engagement, she regains her confidence with Munro as her mentor in his native Scotland.
D.C.I. NICK McGREEVY – Prefers life off the straight and narrow and reaping the rewards of an unethical approach to policing.
SERGEANT IAIN CAMPBELL – Content in his work and happiest with a pint, the only thing missing in his life is a woman.
CONSTABLE DUNCAN REID – As keen as mustard with a sideways sense of humour, he has a burning desire to work his way up the ranks and join the drugs squad.
ISOBEL CRAWFORD (PROCURATOR FISCAL) – Sassy, sexy and single who likes her men as robust and as complex as an oak-aged Rioja.
RUDY KAPPELHOFF – A post-war immigrant from Schleswig-Holstein whose unexpected divorce made his work ethic as tough as the boots he repairs for a living.
FREIDA KAPPELHOFF – A single divorcee who still carries a torch for her ex but refuses to let him know.
CALLUM McKENZIE – Ex-teacher and philanderer with a torrid past who enjoyed a relationship with Freida Kappelhoff before and after her divorce.
LORNA McKENZIE – Unsure about her parentage and disturbed by her father’s activities, lives on benefits and the immoral earnings of her boyfriend.
MRS. FRASER – A lifelong spinster, she is a friend and confident to Freida Kappelhoff whose looks and lifestyle she secretly covets.
Other books in this series:
AVARICE is the se
cond book in this series featuring DI Munro and DS West. Below are the details of the other books, all of which are available on Kindle Unlimited 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
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 Munro 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
Left to her own devices Detective Sergeant Charlie West struggles with the responsibility of a full-blown murder investigation when a man is pushed off a cliff. Once the police have discovered the identity of the dead man, and established his demise was definitely the result of foul play, the race is on to hunt down the murderer.
AVARICE: Gripping Scottish detective crime fiction (Detective Inspector Munro murder mysteries Book 2) Page 18