‘Your dog is a tonic,’ Wendy said. ‘The girls love her and adore taking her for walks but’ – she drew breath between her teeth – ‘I wonder if it’s safe? I mean the killer could be lurking around anywhere, couldn’t he?’
‘You think there’s only one killer?’ Ally asked.
‘Yeah, because there’s got to be a connection, hasn’t there?’ She stared at Ally for a moment. ‘Do the police think it’s Patti? Is that why that detective was questioning her?’
Ally knew she had to choose her words carefully. ‘I think it’s possible they might think she could be a suspect, but she’s not the only one.’
‘Does the detective confide in you then?’
‘No, but he did stress that Patti must not leave the house because she’s one of several suspects.’
Wendy nodded. ‘I don’t know what went on between Archie and Patti, but if he hurt her as badly as Patti claims, Isuppose I can understand her wanting to get rid of her own husband, but whymine?’
‘I’ve no idea.’
‘Don’t get me wrong because I really am quite fond of Patti, but I know their marriage was in trouble. And although Archie was my brother, I realise he could be difficult at times, and even violent, but to actually kill him… I’d never forgive her if she laid a finger on him!’ She blew her nose. ‘I’m telling you, it’s a nightmare.’
‘I’m as keen as you are to find out who committed these terrible murders.’ As she spoke, Ally worried for a minute if Julie had told her aunt about the incident in the barn and what Tom had overheard, but Wendy didn’t appear to know, and Ally decided not to ask. And Julie had promised not to say anything.
‘Any time you want a cuppa and a chat, I’m here,’ she said, ‘but, hopefully, this nightmare won’t last much longer. And at least your son is on his way.’
‘Yes, he should arrive soon. And he’s booked in at the Craigmonie, and I’ll go down to welcome him, of course, but as far as accommodation is concerned, I’ll stay on up here for the sake of the girls, if that’s OK?’
‘Yes, of course it’s OK,’ Ally replied, wondering if she should charge less for one-person occupancy of the room now that Wendy was widowed. The same applied to Patti, of course, and it would be the decent thing to do.
‘Thank you, Ally, and thank you too for the tea and sympathy!’ Wendy said as she got up to go.
She’d only just got into the hallway when there was a knock on the back door, and in marched Hamish. ‘What the hell’s going on, Alison?’ he asked by way of greeting.
Ally, feeling a little weary by now, could only shrug. ‘I’ve no idea, Hamish. I only wish I knew!’
He sat down on the chair recently vacated by Wendy. ‘Thepolice have been roaming around for hours, and they’ve really upset poor Angus.Angus, for God’s sake!’
Ally nodded. ‘I thought they’d be questioning him – and Tom.’ She lifted up a bottle of Locharran’s finest. ‘Whisky?’
‘Oh, go on then! Just a wee one!’ He sighed. ‘Neither Angus nor Tom are allowed to leave the castle grounds, and Kandahar has even posted a constable up there to make sure they don’t. Angus isn’t talking, but Tom certainly is, and has been telling me about this supposed conversation he overheard between Angus and Pat. I’ve neverheardsuch nonsense!’ He accepted the glass of whisky and knocked it back in one gulp. ‘Mind you, I wouldn’t put it past Pat, you know. She wouldn’t be the first to want to bump off her husband, but Angus would never have anything to do with that.’
Ally picked up the bottle to refill his Scotch, but he hastily placed his hand over the glass. ‘Better not have any more,’ he said, ‘as my dear wife tells me I’ve been drinking too much of late – but is it any wonder?’
‘All I know,’ Ally said, ‘is that someone is lying. Is it Patti, or Angus, or is it Tom?’
‘It has to be Tom,’ Hamish said. ‘It’s not that I wouldn’t doubt Pat, but I certainly wouldn’t doubt Angus –never! This is the most ridiculous accusation, but how are we going to find out?’
Ally shook her head. ‘You must remember that blood is thicker than water, supposedly so anyway, and as a result Angus might have been sympathetic to his niece, particularly if he didn’t much care for her husband. Just athought,’ she added hastily.
‘But Angus knows how flighty she is. He’d never agree to such a thing.’
‘Hopefully the police will find out,’ Ally said, smothering a yawn and longing for a few quiet moments with a cup of tea.
‘The sooner the better,’ agreed Hamish, ‘and we can be rid of this family. Where is Pat by the way?’
‘She’s rarely moved out of her room,’ Ally said, ‘but Wendy, her sister-in-law, has been very good with the girls. She’s just been in here and is plainly more concerned with finding out who killedherhusband. Don’t forget that Greg Watson has been killed as well.’
‘I daresay she is,’ Hamish said with a sigh. ‘What’s she like, this Watson wife?’
‘She’s a sensible type of woman, but just now seems permanently worried and anxious, which I suppose is hardly surprising. But her son is arriving this afternoon, so that might help. Apparently, he’s booked himself in at the Craigmonie, but I’ve no idea how long he plans to stay.’
‘I have a feeling,’ Hamish said, ‘that you’ll be very relieved when they all go back to Canada.’
