“Oily flaming rags shoved through the letter box. That might indeed have been Malky. But there’s another thing.”
He told Elspeth about Willie spying on Fiona. “I’m sure that could have been Blair. The inspector is keen on Charlie, and it shows.”
“Blair’s a monster,” said Elspeth, “but I can’t believe he would murder Willie.”
“He may not have known he was in the office.”
“If I were you,” said Elspeth, “I would take time out and forget about the whole thing and clear your mind of every idea. Maybe then you’d hit on something.”
Elspeth then began to talk about her job and her seemingly eternal fears of being replaced permanently by another presenter while she was off in the Highlands reporting until they realised with surprise that they had finished the bottle of champagne.
If only, thought Hamish wistfully, we could roll into bed and make love for the rest of the day. But as if she had read his mind, Elspeth put on her coat and said abruptly, “Thanks for the drink.”
“Will I see you again this trip?”
“No, I’m heading off south,” said Elspeth.
As she walked to the car she had borrowed from the hotel, not wanting to take the large television van down to the police station, she had a sudden urge to turn back. She had lied to Hamish. She had planned to prepare her report and leave on the following morning. She could have invited Hamish to dinner.
Hamish was leaving the police station to walk the dog and cat. He looked down in disgust at Archie’s offerings to the fairies and gave the lot a kick with his regulation boot and sent them flying.
Elspeth had half turned back when a voice in her head said, Going to get hurt again?
She squared her shoulders, got into the car, and drove off.
As he walked along, Hamish saw a sign outside the church hall, TAI CHI EXERCISES.
A faint sound of Asian music tinkled through the frosty air. Curious, he walked up to the village hall and quietly pushed open the door. Eight village women, dressed in sort of satin pyjamas, were slowly following movements by an instructor, who, Hamish realised, was none other than Mrs. Wellington. He had seen tai chi exercises on television and they had been nothing like this. The women seemed to be all sharp, awkward movements.
“The hell wi’ this,” said Mrs. Patel, sitting down suddenly on the floor. “I feel right daft.”
The other women followed suit. “Now, ladies,” boomed Mrs. Wellington in distress. “On your feet. Now!”
Muttering rebelliously, they started again. Hamish fled the church hall and hung on to the fence, laughing. He felt better than he had done for a long time.
When he returned to the police station, he saw Charlie’s old Volvo parked outside. The tall policeman got out of the car when he saw Hamish arriving.
“I should ha’ reported in earlier,” said Charlie, “but I overslept.”
There was a miserable hangdog air about him.
“Come in and have coffee,” said Hamish. “No, better still. Let’s walk along to the Italian’s and have a wee celebration. I suppose the case is closed.”
They walked in silence to the restaurant. Inside, Lugs and Sonsie vanished into the kitchen.
“Now,” said Hamish when they had placed their orders. “Out wi’ it.”
“Out wi’ what?” demanded Charlie mutinously.
“You look miserable and guilty as sin. Is it our inspector? I thought she’d cleared off.”
Charlie stabbed his fork into the new tablecloth. “Here!” screeched the waiter, Willie Lamont. “Thon’s a new cloth. You’re a right wondle.”
“I suppose you mean vandal,” said Hamish. “Shove off and get the food.”
When Willie had gone, Hamish said gently, “What has she done?”
Charlie heaved a great sigh. “Do you believe in hell?”
“Of course not.”
“I was brought up Wee Free,” said Charlie, meaning the Free Presbyterians. “A woman taken in adultery is a sin.”
“Damn the woman!” said Hamish. “She seduced you.”
“Well, Hamish, it takes two. Aye, we spent the night together. I told her I loved her and I would make an honest woman of her and she laughed her head off and said it was only a fling.”
“Here’s the wine. Have a glass. It’s my belief you were more sinned against than sinning.”
“I felt such a rage, I damn nearly broke her neck. Oh, I’m so ashamed. Will God forgive me?”
“Look, Charlie, I cannae believe in a God who punishes or even rewards because they are both human failings. Forget it. Put it down to experience. Were you a virgin?”
Charlie shook his head. “Just the odd widow here and there.”
“Not here I hope,” said Hamish sharply. “Don’t shit on your own doorstep.”