The Dark Fear (14 page)

              ‘Was it at night?’ Tilly appeared confused.

              ‘I believe the light was fading and the haar was down,’ James continued. ‘According to the officer in charge, the boys refused to declare themselves. The soldiers had no choice but to open fire.’

              ‘How odd.’ Dani placed her cup in its saucer. ‘You wouldn’t expect a German invasion force to send only two young men.’

              ‘Actually, they might have. They could have been secret service spies arriving ahead of the others, to see how the land lay. These reconnaissance personnel would find out the weaknesses in the coastal defences and send coded messages back to Germany. They were intended to look like civilians.’ David’s tone remained even.

              ‘I suppose it takes a military man to understand how these things worked.’ Aiden stated this with a note of finality.

              ‘Or
woman,’
Tilly added coldly.

              ‘What? Oh yes, darling, of course. Or a woman.’

Chapter 25

I
t hadn’t seemed necessary for Dani to travel into the city to continue her investigations. She’d set up her laptop and phone on the kitchen table of Oak Lodge.

              Whilst she worked, James flitted in and out, with a pair of dirty overalls on. He was currently clearing the outhouses and garage. All sorts of interesting objects had turned up. Amongst which, was an ancient Singer sewing machine and a full set of golf clubs. James announced he was going to clean the clubs up and give the sport a go. The east coast was full of world class courses.

              Dani was only half listening to his running commentary on the plethora of junk he was finding. ‘Yeah, that’ll be great when it’s restored,’ had become her mantra.

              When James finally came in to make lunch, Dani gave him her full attention. ‘You’ll need to hire a skip.’

              ‘Yep, it’s looking that way. It’ll create some space out there. How’s the search going?’

              ‘He was called Rory Burns. Born on the 9
^th
October, 1974. The guy is about to turn 41.’

              ‘Just like me, which makes sense.’ James wiped his hands on a cloth.

              ‘According to the lady at the Scott Academy, Rory never kept in touch with the school after he left.’ Dani raised an eyebrow, a cheeky grin on her face. ‘I never knew that Academy alumni referred to themselves as ‘Old Scottsmen’.’

              ‘Just another of the ridiculous rituals of the ruling classes. I do attend alumni dinners and I play the Old Scottsmen rugby tournaments occasionally, but I don’t go around referring to my old classmates in that way. Even I know it’s bloody stupid.’

              Dani chuckled. ‘My dad would say it fosters a sense of camaraderie and belonging. He said that his ex-pupils liked to see themselves as loyal to Colonsay Primary and its ideals, long after they’d moved on.’

              James bent down and kissed her nose, leaving a greasy black mark there. ‘See? My background isn’t quite as weird and pointless as you think.’

              Dani looked serious. ‘I don’t think that, I promise.’

              ‘So where is he now?’

              ‘Huh?’

              ‘Rory Burns.’

              ‘Oh, he studied Geography at Durham University. Their records indicated he gained a Bsc Honours degree in 1996, achieving a 2:2.’

              ‘That’s not a brilliant grade. I seem to recall now that he was quite clever. It’s one of the reasons Cormac picked on him. He thought Burns was a swot.’

              Dani shrugged. ‘Maybe the accident changed him, just like it did Alison Perkins.’

              ‘It’s possible. He
was
the most closely involved.’

              ‘But that’s where the records stop. Burns didn’t keep in contact with his university either. I’m just about to check the police databases, see if he’s committed any offences in the last twenty years.’

              ‘Somehow I can’t imagine it. Rory was a goody-two-shoes. You can search for house and car ownership under his name, can’t you?’

              ‘Yes, I can. I’ll run the details after lunch.’ She closed the lid on the lap-top and stood. ‘If you get out of those overalls, I’ll take you somewhere nice to eat.’

              James scooped her into his arms, rubbing at the smear on her nose with his grubby sleeve. ‘Oops, that’s just making it worse. There’s no getting away from it, you’ll have to take another shower.’

              Dani giggled. ‘I do actually have to get some work done today.’

              ‘There’s plenty of time for that,’ he mumbled, undoing the buttons on her blouse and ushering Dani straight up the stairs.

*

The Galloway house in Gullane was modern and large. Andy imagined that from the top floors you could probably make out the sea. But the location appeared to have been chosen more for its privacy than for the views.

              Loretta Galloway led the police officers into a huge, starkly furnished lounge. ‘Do you want a drink?’

              Calder examined the woman’s appearance. She was late forties with thin legs and a big bust. Her skin was tanned and her face amazingly unlined except for a tell-tale set of deep ridges on each side of the bridge of her nose. Even Andy knew this meant she had regular Botox injections.

              ‘We’re okay thanks.’ Sharon rested her weight on the arm of a chair. ‘I just wanted to keep you updated on our progress.’

              ‘Well, I’m having one. My daughters aren’t at home, so there’s nobody to criticise me for it.’ Loretta poured herself a whisky and coke. ‘I don’t make a habit of this. It’s just that when your husband’s been murdered, you need something to get you through. But young people are so bloody sanctimonious these days.’

              ‘I expect they don’t want you to come to rely on it,’ Andy offered gently. ‘The doctor should be able to prescribe you some pills, just for the short-term.’

              ‘And there’s no way I could become reliant on them, I suppose? Most of my friends are pill-poppers. I’d rather take my chances with Mr Jack Daniels.’ She raised the glass.

              ‘Fair enough.’

              ‘We’re pursuing a number of different lines of enquiry, Loretta,’ Sharon continued. ‘Could you describe to me again, the phone call that your husband received before he went out to the bents?’

              She sighed. ‘He’d only just got in. We’d decided to ring for a carry out when his mobile phone went off. Alex moved across and stood by that window and talked into it. His face was away from me and I couldn’t see his expression. The conversation couldn’t have lasted more than two minutes. Then he picked up his jacket again and said he had to pop out. It didn’t sound like he’d be long. Haven’t you been able to trace the call?’

              ‘It was from a pay-as-you-go mobile. The techs think the person rang from the place where he met your husband. They must have disposed of it later.’ Sharon leant forward. ‘Who’s running the businesses now that Alex is gone?’

              ‘His power of attorney transferred to his law firm. It’s a local place in Haddington. Alex had managers employed in all the clubs and restaurants he owned. I assume they’re just carrying on as normal.’

              ‘Will the businesses pass on to you after the will has been read?’ Sharon tried to make this enquiry as casual as possible.

              Loretta let out a bitter chuckle. ‘I knew absolutely nothing about Alex’s business dealings. He told me it was better if I didn’t. From what I understand, the lawyers will keep the empire ticking along. I will receive a monthly income and the profits will be placed in trust for the girls. I’ll be comfortable, DS Moffett, but his death won’t make me a millionaire.’

              ‘And there aren’t any business partners set to directly benefit?’ Andy looked into the woman’s eyes, which were already beginning to become unfocussed.

              ‘No. The managers get the same wage they had before. The girls will come into the money when they reach twenty five. Both my daughters loved their father to bits – they hero worshipped him. The idea of them having him shot in the head to get their inheritance a few years early is unthinkable.’ Loretta’s face crumpled, tears spilling down her unnaturally smooth cheeks.

              ‘I’m sorry. We have to ask these questions.’

              ‘Were you aware that Alex had a son as a result of a previous relationship? He would have been about my age now.’ Andy continued to watch her face.

              Loretta dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. ‘Yes, I did. But the girls don’t. Will they have to find out?’

              ‘We can’t guarantee it, but it shouldn’t be necessary.’

              ‘The boy died on a school trip. He was only thirteen years old. It can’t have anything to do with Alex’s death, can it?’              Loretta’s eyes widened, she appeared to have sobered right up.

              ‘Had your husband been talking about his son recently?’ Sharon decided to join in with this line of questioning, noting the woman’s change of attitude.

              ‘He mentioned Gerry every so often, especially when he’d had too much to drink. Alex blamed himself for sending the boy to that posh school. That’s why the girls go to the High School in North Berwick. He always said these private places were a rule unto themselves.’

              ‘What about the boy’s mother?’

              ‘She was just some tart from a dodgy estate on the west side of Edinburgh. I’ve no idea what ever happened to her.’

              ‘Thanks Loretta, we’ll leave you in peace now.’ Sharon got to her feet.

              ‘I’ll have no peace, Detective Sergeant, until you find the bastard who put a gun to my husband’s head and executed him.’

Chapter 26

T
he silence was broken by the trilling of Dani’s mobile phone. She slipped her arms out from around James’ middle and leant over to answer it.

              ‘Phil? What time is it?’ She automatically looked at the bedside clock. It was quarter to three.

              ‘Say that again? Okay. I’ve got you. I’ll see you at Pitt Street at nine. No, it’s fine. I’m glad you told me straight away.’ Dani snuggled back under the covers, leaning her face against the bare skin on James’ back. It was almost unnervingly quiet here in the forest. She supposed folk got used to it. Dani closed her eyes, thinking she’d manage another hour’s sleep before she’d really have to get up.

              ‘I didn’t want to wake you.’ Dani buttered a slice of toast and sipped black coffee.

              ‘Don’t be silly. I’ll come with you if you like?’

              Dani shook her head. ‘You’ve taken time off to get this place sorted. I’ll ask Andy to join me at the hospital. He’s not always seen eye-to-eye with the man, but this is different.’

              ‘How old is Nicholson?’

              ‘Early sixties. He should have gone a couple of years ago. His wife wanted him too.’

              James placed his hand on her shoulder. ‘Just drive carefully, and let me know when you get there.’

              ‘I will.’ Dani finished her coffee, lifting her jacket and slowly putting it on. She paused for a moment by the back door. ‘And James?’

              ‘Yes?’

              ‘I love you.’

*

Angus Nicholson was lying absolutely still in the centre of the hospital bed. His pose reminded Dani of a long, thin pencil, placed upon a clean sheet of white paper. To the detective, this image was a symbol of new opportunities. A fresh start.

              His wife, Eleanor, was arranging flowers in a vase.

              Dani tapped on the window.

              Eleanor stepped out of the room. ‘DCI Bevan. Thank you for coming.’

              ‘Please call me Dani. What happened?’

              ‘He was working late in his office. The secretary opened the door when she couldn’t get any response on the intercom. He was slumped over the desk. The specialist said it’s a serious stroke. He’s only alive because Morag found him quickly.’

              ‘I’m so sorry.’ Dani took her hand.

              ‘I begged him to retire this year. Angus said he just wanted to stay until the spring. He loves the job, you see. He’s been a policeman - man and boy. He joined up straight from school.’

              ‘What’s the prognosis?’

              ‘It’s early days, of course, but there will certainly be mobility problems and several months of physiotherapy ahead. The scans they’ve done so far show he’s completely unresponsive on the right side of his body.’

              Dani could see that the woman before her was battling hard to keep things together. ‘Are your children coming?’

              ‘They’ll be arriving by tonight. It’s funny how you got here first.’

              ‘Phil and Andy are outside too. Angus is much loved and respected at headquarters.’

              Eleanor smiled thinly. ‘You’re very kind, Danielle. Angus always had a great deal of faith in you. Of course, now he won’t be back and the vultures will be circling for his job. A position will undoubtedly open up for a superintendent at Pitt Street. Angus told me this was what you really wanted all along, so that you didn’t have to leave your team?’

              The DCI stood open mouthed. She had no idea if she still felt that way.

              Eleanor squeezed her hand tightly. ‘Don’t miss an opportunity because you’re being loyal to Angus and not wanting to benefit from his misfortune. That is exactly the attitude which holds many women back. When the superintendent job comes up, you must apply. It’s what Angus wanted for you and you’d have his full blessing.’

              Dani had absolutely nothing to say.