‘Which might prove it couldn’t be anything important,’ Ally concluded sadly.
Amir arrived at five minutes past ten with his briefcase and his phone. As usual, he was persuaded to have a cup of tea while the guests finished breakfast next door.
‘I’m sorry if I’ve alerted you unnecessarily,’ Ally said as she passed him his tea. ‘I’ve been worrying all night that I might have overreacted, but it justmightbe important, you know.’
Amir nodded and took a sip of his tea. ‘Ally, youknowthat I asked you to tell me about anything that might be relevant because any one of them would be a whole lot more likely to confide in you than in me. I’d much prefer a false alarm than missing a vital clue.’ He laid down his mug. ‘In fact, I’d like you to sit in while I question this lass – what’s her name?’
‘Julie.’
‘How old is she?’ he asked.
‘She’s just seventeen,’ Ally replied.
‘I’d like an adult present while I chat with her, and Icertainly don’t want any of her relatives around,’ Amir said. ‘This could be quite a delicate matter.’
Ross stood up. ‘Now that my sausage cooking is no longer required, I feel the urge to tackle your garden, Ally.’ And, with a grin, he made his way to the back door.
‘That man should get a medal for diplomacy,’ Amir exclaimed. Then, looking serious, he asked, ‘How has the mother been since you contacted me yesterday?’
‘To be honest, she shut herself in her room when we got back, and there’s been no sight or sound of her until breakfast this morning, and I think it’s fair to say that the atmosphere in there is somewhat tense.’
‘So not exactly the reaction you’d expect from someone worried about her daughter?’ Amir said.
‘No,’ Ally replied. ‘It’s almost as if she wanted to avoid Julie.’
‘Now I need to get Julie to open up to me as much as possible. Do you think they’ve finished eating?’ Amir asked.
‘I’ll go get her,’ Ally said.
There was definitely a strained atmosphere in the dining room. Julie and Janey had taken their breakfasts at the little table in front of the window, leaving Patti and Wendy sitting silently at the main table and studiously avoiding looking at each other.
They looked up expectantly as Ally came into the room. ‘Would you come with me, Julie,’ she said, ‘so the detective can ask you a few questions?’
At this, Patti rose from the table. ‘If he’s going to talk to my daughter,’ she said, ‘then I should be there.’
‘I’m sorry, Patti, but the detective has asked for me to be present, rather than a family member, and I’ve promised to ensure that the questioning is impartial,’ Ally said.
‘I’m her mother!’ Patti exploded. ‘It’s my place to be there!’
It was Julie herself who saved the situation. ‘Mom, I’mhappy for Ally to do this, and if there’s anything bothering me, I promise to call you straight away. OK?’ Without waiting for a reply, she stood up and followed Ally into the kitchen.
Amir questioned her gently. ‘You’re Julie Armstrong?’
The girl nodded.
‘And how old are you?’
‘I’m seventeen. And a half!’
‘Good, good. Now, you’re a pretty young lady, so I can see why that young man was attracted to you.’
Julie gave a nervous little smile.
‘I believe he’s a trainee ghillie – is that what you’d call him?’ Amir asked.
‘I guess,’ said Julie.
‘And he’s in the employ of the earl but training under your mother’s uncle Angus – is that right?’
