Her hair was cut in a short crop and was a natural glossy brown. She was dressed in a smart tweed suit under a cream raincoat.
“Take your coat off and sit down,” said Hamish. “Confess what? First, do you want some tea?”
“Yes, please.”
“I’ll put the kettle on. It’s cold in here. I’ll just light the stove.”
He took the lid off the stove and raked down the ashes. He threw in firelighter and sticks and, when they were blazing, added several slices of peat. He put the kettle on the stove and sat down at the kitchen table opposite her.
“All right. I’m ready. What’s up?”
“Thon video,” said Jessie in a shaky voice. “That was me.”
“Och, Jessie. Neffer tell me you had a part in those dreadful murders.”
“No, only that Miss McAndrew called on me right after Miss Beattie was murdered. She seemed upset. She gave me the video and said it was to be delivered to the community centre. I asked her why she didn’t take it there herself and she said something about she didn’t like Blakey but wanted people to help the elderly. When she’d gone, I left it lying. I was drunk pretty much the whole time. I remembered it after she was found murdered and that prompted me into doing what she’d asked. I took it round and put it through the letter box. Then when I learned what had been in the tape, I decided to say nothing about it in case the police thought I had anything to do with the murders.”
“She must have been frightened,” said Hamish. “She must have hoped that the video would have given us some clue, or maybe she did it to warn the Robertses that she was not to be intimidated. So what prompted you to come to me now?”
“I’ve been going to the AA meetings and at last I told them about the tape. They said I’d better tell you and I’d feel better. Are you going to charge me?”
“No. My boss would probably curse and shout and charge you with obstructing the police in their enquiries, and it’s such a delight to see you off the booze, I wouldnae want to do anything that would put you back on it. How are you doing?”
“I’m fine. I’ve got a part-time job.”
“Where?”
“At the gift shop in Braikie. Someone at the meeting’s got three little children and she said she would look after my baby in the afternoons.”
The kettle boiled and Hamish rose and made a pot of tea. “How’s Penny?” asked Jessie, sipping at her tea and refusing Hamish’s offer of shortbread.
“Last heard, she’s staying with her aunt over in Lochinver.”
“She must be an emotional wreck.”
“I wouldnae say that. Did you read her story in the Sun?”
“No, I missed that.”
“She fairly trashed the Robertses and said she’d always been scared of them, which is a lie because, murderers they may be, but they doted on her with a passion.”
♦
After Jessie had left, Hamish felt he should really phone Elspeth and tell her that the mystery of the video had been solved. He had behaved childishly by avoiding her. He picked up the phone. It was only five in the evening although it was as black as pitch outside. She would probably still be at the office. Her line was engaged. He felt relieved and then damned himself for being a coward and dialled again.
“Hamish,” said Elspeth in a cool voice. “What a surprise. How can I help you?”
“I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch with you lately,” said Hamish, “but I’ve been awfully busy.”
“Oh, really? Your beat abounding in crimes I don’t know about?”
“Nothing newsworthy, but a lot of irritating little things.”
“Like avoiding me?”
“Come on, Elspeth. Let’s be friends.”
There was a long silence and then Elspeth said, “Take me for dinner at the Italian’s. I’ll be there at eight.”
“See you then,” said Hamish, and rang off.
♦
As he dressed that evening, Hamish found he was nervous and excited. He realised he had missed Elspeth’s visits and company.
At ten minutes to eight, he shrugged himself into his oilskin. Lugs let out a low whine. Hamish eyed his dog. “Oh, all right,” he said. “You can come as well.” Taking Lugs with him, he felt, would make sure it stayed a friendly evening rather than a romantic one.
The evening got off to a bad start. Elspeth was wearing a blue silk blouse, a white jacket, and dark blue skirt. Lugs, who had got drenched during the walk to the restaurant, shook water over Elspeth and then placed his muddy paws on her skirt and gazed accusingly up into her face.
Fortunately, the cleaning-mad Willie Lament was on hand to sponge out the stains with a new stain remover and to remove the dog to the kitchen and towel him down.
Willie reappeared to hand them menus. “Where’s my dog?” asked Hamish.
“We’re just giving the wee chap some pasta. Lugs likes pasta.”
“Not too much, Willie,” admonished Hamish. “He’s overweight already.”
Hamish told Elspeth about how the video had got to the community centre – “but don’t put anything in that paper of yours.”
“I’m just glad Jessie’s getting herself straightened out. Have you heard from Jenny?”
“Not a word. But I got a call from Priscilla yesterday. She said she was seeing Jenny that evening. She said she had kept clear of her for a bit because she didn’t like the way Jenny took all the praise for solving the case.”
“Jenny’ll be back up for the trial and she’ll make the most of the publicity again. Sam says Pat is working on a paper in Dublin. He must have forged a reference.”
“Knowing that one, he probably forged several references.”
Hamish ordered a bottle of wine and told Elspeth all about Cyril Roberts’s confession, and then, somehow, found himself ordering another. He felt relaxed and happy.
“Did anything come from your appeal in the paper for the old folks’ club?” Hamish asked.
“Oh, that will be appearing in the next issue. Mr. Blakey is getting lottery money to buy proper cinematography equipment.”
“That’s grand.” Hamish studied her. “There seems to be a bit o’ worry at the back of your eyes, Elspeth. Anything bothering you?”
Yes, thought Elspeth. An offer from the Daily Bugle. But I haven’t made up my mind. It depends…
♦
The evening before, Jenny once more found herself in Priscilla’s elegant flat. “I thought you would never speak to me again,” said Jenny.
“I was angry with you for taking the credit away from Hamish.”
“But I didn’t!” protested Jenny. “I guessed it all by myself.”
“Hamish says you were listening at the police station door when he was discussing the case with Elspeth.”
Jenny blushed but said hotly, “That’s not true!”
“Have it your way. Is Hamish keen on this Elspeth?”
“Not really. They just seem to be friends. As a matter of fact,” said Jenny with a toss of her dark curls, “Hamish rather fancied me.”
“Didn’t sound like it when I spoke to him this morning.”
“Oh,” faltered Jenny, “you spoke to him.” She rallied. “Well, he wouldn’t want to say anything about it to you in case he hurt you.”
“How on earth could it hurt me? Hamish is old history.”
“You wouldn’t think so the way you go on about him. In fact, you talk more about him than that fiancé of yours.”
“You’re being silly, Jenny. Shall we eat?”
♦
Early the following day, Priscilla sat at her computer in the City, not really seeing the figures on the screen. She was suddenly homesick for Lochdubh. She was having doubts about getting married. Just nerves, she told herself. But she could not let go of the thought of going home. She rose and went in to see her boss and said she had just received a phone call that her mother was ill. The excuse worked and she was free to go.