‘This is the nightmare of all nightmares,’ she sobbed as she blew her nose.
The forensics were already hard at work, measuring and taking photographs, while the paramedics had laid the stretcher down by the body in readiness for its removal.
Amir was supervising the scene while talking non-stop into his phone, then turned back to where the others were sitting. ‘I know it’s late and it’s dark,’ he said, ‘but I’m going to have to ask some questions right now.’
‘Where are you taking him?’ Wendy asked, stifling sobs.
‘They’ll take him to Glasgow shortly,’ Amir replied. ‘We need to do a post-mortem and establish the cause of death. Let’s all get back to where the helicopter is.’
Leaving the forensic team and the paramedics at the scene, they slowly made their way back along the track towards theloch, Wendy supported on one side by Ross and by Ally on the other. As they walked, Amir was questioning Wendy about what time they’d set off for their walk, what time she got back and what time they’d all finally left to look for Greg.
Back at the loch, he ushered an unwilling Wendy into his Land Rover for some further questioning before returning to where Ally and Ross were standing a few minutes later. ‘I’ll be back to talk to you all in the morning,’ he said as the slow procession appeared out of the gloom, carrying Greg’s body on the stretcher. This sent Wendy off into paroxysms of grief again, and she tried to run towards them.
Amir held her back firmly. ‘No, Mrs Watson,’ he said. ‘You can see him later. Right now, there’s work to be done, and I’ll be back to talk to you in the morning.’ He turned to Ally and Ross. ‘How can I find out how many runners might have taken part in this thing?’
‘Well, your best bet would be Hamish, the earl, because he organised this. It all culminated in the barbecue up in the castle grounds,’ Ally explained.
‘Reckon they’ll still be there?’ Amir asked, consulting his watch.
Ross shrugged. ‘Some of them may be.’
‘Right,’ Amir said to the young constable, ‘that’s our next stop.’
He looked at Ally. ‘Can we give you a lift back down to the malthouse?’
‘No thanks, we have the dogs, and we’ve got a good torch,’ Ally replied.
Amir nodded as he rushed towards his vehicle, at the same time as the helicopter began to rise slowly into the air.
By the time Ally and Ross began to support a staggering Wendy back to the malthouse, the helicopter was just a tiny, distant, flashing light in the night sky.
FIFTEEN
The malthouse was lit up, with an anxious Patti and her daughters standing on the doorstep.
‘You wouldn’t believe my daughter was only kissing that boy in the bloody summerhouse, in the garden next to the barbecue!’ Patti said by way of greeting. ‘She is inbigtrouble!’ She glared at Julie, who pulled a face. ‘Where’s Greg?’ she asked as the dogs bounded into the hallway.
‘Bad news, I’m afraid,’ Ross said, glancing at the girls.
‘Oh no!’ Patti put her head in her hands for a moment, then stared at the tear-drenched Wendy. ‘Oh my God! What’s happened?’
‘He’s dead.’ Wendy spoke flatly.
‘What?’ Patti looked from one to the other. ‘How can he be dead? Hecan’tbe dead!’
The two girls were clinging to each other and looking at Wendy, saucer-eyed.
‘We think he might have tripped and knocked his head on a sharp rock,’ Ally said diplomatically, hoping to spare the girls any gory details.
‘Asharp rock?’ Patti repeated. ‘How the hell could he have done that?’ She appeared to be about to faint.
Ross moved swiftly across to support her.
‘It’s been a shock to us all,’ he said, ‘but I think you should sit down.’ He led her into the sitting room and sat her down in an armchair.
Patti burst into floods of tears. Wendy sat on the sofa opposite, with the girls, all of them now weeping openly.
‘I think drinks are needed,’ Ross said, exchanging glances with Ally. ‘I’ll go and get them.’
