“It seemed too important to wait. So I took the helicopter up there.”
“You what?” roared Daviot. “Do you know the cost of that thing? You are a bloody moron. I am so deeply sorry, sir. I will take you back and we will settle this whole matter. Get the handcuffs off him, now!”
Hamish got a call from Jimmy Anderson, who gleefully related the whole scene. “It seems as if Harold reported you to headquarters for deliberately sabotaging his car and Blair came flying up. Harold insulted him. Blair arrested him and they’re on their way back.”
When she heard the story, Priscilla said in a voice as cold as the snowy scene outside the Land Rover, “I wouldn’t put it past you, Hamish.”
“Priscilla, I was nowhere around when the car wouldnae start. I thought someone was in trouble when a wee boy reported a woman was getting raped.”
“So how did you get here so quickly from Braikie?”
“False report of a burglary.”
Soon they heard the whir of a helicopter. When it landed, Hamish got out and went to meet Daviot.
He noticed Charlie had disappeared.
“Report, Macbeth,” commanded Daviot. Hamish said that a boy had reported a rape at the Falls of Shin and he had raced there. He found it was a false alarm. Then Harold’s car wouldn’t start so he had gone off to find a mechanic and had to wait until the man finished his dinner.
“I’ll hae the keys,” said the mechanic, and Harold passed them over. Soon they heard the engine of his car roar into life. “Seems just fine,” he said. “Maybe your spark plugs got damp.”
“Rubbish! The distributor caps had been stolen. Where is this schoolboy?” said Harold. “I don’t believe he exists.”
“Here,” came Charlie’s voice. He walked up to them leading two small boys whose faces were smeared with chocolate. “Go on, Declan,” he said to one of the boys. “Tell the nice superintendent what you saw.”
“Me and Rory was up by the falls making a snowman,” said Declan, “and we saw this wumman and a man seemed to be attacking her. I’ve got a mobile from my ma so I called the police.”
Daviot turned to Priscilla. “Is there any truth in this? Were you in difficulties?”
Priscilla turned red with embarrassment. “My fiancé was kissing me, but I struggled free because it didn’t seem the right place or time. I’m afraid these little boys got the wrong idea.”
Harold rounded on Priscilla. “I am going back to civilisation right now. We are going to the hotel and then we are going straight back to London.”
“Not here,” said Priscilla. “We’ll discuss this on the road back to the hotel.”
“I want pay for my time,” said the mechanic.
“You can take your time and stuff it up your highland arse,” shouted Harold.
“Send your bill to police headquarters in Strathbane,” said Daviot, “and maybe we’ll call it quits.”
“No, we won’t call it quits,” said Harold. “I’m suing you lot for wrongful arrest.”
“It’ll make a right amusing story for the press,” said Hamish, “when it gets to court. London stockbroker reported falsely for trying to rape his fiancée. Arrested and taken off in handcuffs. Although nothing up with his car, told hardworking mechanic to shove his bill up his arse. I can see the headlines now.”
“Oh, drop the whole thing,” said Harold.
He helped Priscilla into his car and drove off. Daviot nodded curtly to Hamish and climbed into the helicopter.
“Make that bill a big one,” said Hamish to the mechanic. “Come on, Charlie. Do the kids live nearby?”
“Aye, they’ll be all right. A croft just ower the brae.”
“We may as well follow them. We’re all going to Lochdubh anyway.”
As they drove along, Hamish asked, “How much did it cost you?”
“Two bars o’ chocolate and a fiver.”
“Parents all right with that?”
“The father, John Sweeney, is a friend o’ your mother’s. No trouble at all.”
“That’s them up ahead,” said Hamish, looking down the long road. “I don’t like this. I think he’s a brute. Priscilla’s always looking for someone suitable to please her parents. Now what’s happening? He’s driven off the road and up thon forestry track. We’d better follow them.”
“I wouldnae do that,” said Charlie. “You’ll give Harold a good reason to say we’re stalking him.”
“You’re right,” said Hamish. “You stay here and I’ll go on foot.”
“What on earth are we doing here?” demanded Priscilla.
“It’s time you got to know who’s boss in this relationship,” said Harold. “Get in the backseat.”
“No, I will not. Drive me back to the hotel immediately.”
Harold leaned across her, flicked open the glove compartment, and drew out a knife. He held it to her throat. “Do as you’re told.”