Conversation stopped as the door opened and Simon Crozier stepped into the room, accompanied by Jessica Anderson. He introduced her. ‘Jessica is here to represent the Kulsay Development Corporation,’ he said to the room. ‘She’d like a few words with you before you leave.’ Inevitably his eyes met Carter’s; it was the first time they had been in the same room since Jane reported her success with him. Carter raised his eyebrows in an ironic gesture of welcome, which made Crozier look away. He turned to Jessica Anderson. ‘Jessica, over to you.’
‘Thank you, Simon,’ she said, and stepped forward. ‘I’ll keep this brief. I know you want to get on with the job. I’d just like to say that we of the Kulsay Development Corporation would like to thank you in advance for your help in trying to solve this dreadful mystery. The poor wretches who disappeared from Kulsay may still be alive… they may of course be dead, but we pray that isn’t the case. We have every confidence that you will get to the bottom of this one way or another.
‘As I speak, the Manse on Kulsay is being readied for your stay. You’ll find that every possible convenience has been provided, as well as a freezer full of food. Each of you will be issued cell phones. We’ve installed a signal amplifier recently, so you shouldn’t have any trouble with them, but as a safeguard we’ve also installed a radio transmitter with direct links to the KDC and to the Department. If you feel it is necessary, make contact and a helicopter will be sent from Aberdeen to airlift you off.’
Raj cleared his throat. ‘I seem to remember that scenario. Didn’t you lose a helicopter the last time?’ His dark eyes were hooded, cloaking the intelligence that swam behind them.
For a split second Jessica Anderson glared at him, then her face relaxed and she let a smile curl her lips again. ‘I don’t believe that lightning strikes twice in the same place,’ she said.
‘Fingers crossed,’ Kirby said, and her ready smile lightened the meaning.
Sensing the tension that had suddenly enveloped the room Crozier smiled and said, ‘Jane, for Jessica’s benefit perhaps you’d like to introduce the team.’
She was taken aback, not least by Crozier’s overtly courteous manner. ‘Oh, okay, fine,’ she said. ‘From the left then. Raj Kumar and Kirby Grant.’
‘Sound and Vision,’ they said, almost in unison.
Jane smiled. ‘It’s their job to record any phenomena we witness on the island, both visually and aurally.’
Kumar was a tall, slim Indian, early thirties, a very private man, with nervous, fluttering fingers, long black hair and a wispy goatee.
‘I take the photos,’ Raj said. ‘Kirby records the screams.’
‘Is that an attempt at humor?’ Jessica said, clearly unimpressed.
‘A very poor one,’ Kirby said quickly, shooting Kumar a look. She had been watching Jessica and her appraisal of the team had reminded her of farmers back when she lived with her parents. They ran a farm, and the monthly cattle market attracted people who viewed the animals with a similar dispassionate stare.
‘This is John McKinley,’ Jane continued, walking across and laying a hand on the tall man’s shoulder. ‘John’s just come back from India where he was overseeing an investigation into a case of apparent demonic possession.’
‘A crock,’ McKinley said. ‘But the weather was better there.’
‘If you’ve read the file you will have seen that not only is John a leading parapsychologist, but also one of the most gifted
‘I also play a mean game of pool and make an excellent fourth at bridge,’ McKinley said with a sardonic smile.
The expression on Jessica Anderson’s face didn’t change. Jane moved quickly on. Jessica Anderson was not a woman that people would immediately warm to. Clearly she must have been aware of that fact, though it didn’t seem to bother her.
‘Kirby Grant,’ Jane said, standing behind a girl who looked no more than nineteen, but was actually in her mid-twenties. Small and slight with olive skin and a shock of wayward coal black hair. ‘Kirby records all our findings and tries to put them into a semblance of order.’
‘I’m also the catering manager,’ Kirby said, deadpan.
‘Ah yes,’ Jane said. ‘Kirby is a culinary wizard. She keeps us fed and watered, performing small gastronomic miracles with the most basic ingredients.’ She spoke with a humorous flourish but trailed off when there was no reaction from the American.
Jane moved to the back of the room. ‘Robert Carter,’ she said.
‘You don’t need to introduce Mr. Carter,’ Jessica said. ‘I’m fully aware of his talents.’ She walked across the room, hand extended. ‘I’m indebted to you, Mr. Carter, for agreeing to come on this mission. Mission…is that the right word? I’m sure if anyone can get to the bottom of this it will be you. If there’s anything you need, anything at all, don’t hesitate to contact us. I’m sure we’ll be able to accommodate you.’
Carter shook her hand and glanced across at Jane. She looked annoyed. ‘Thank you, Ms. Anderson, but Jane is leading this assignment. She’ll be the one making contact.’
Jessica Anderson leaned into him. ‘Very gallant,’ she said softly, so the others couldn’t hear her, then let his hand drop and turned back to Jane.
She couldn’t fail to hear Carter’s murmured, ‘Bitch.’
‘And that’s it,’ Jane said. ‘The team.’
‘And of course yourself,’ Jessica said.
‘Jane Talbot,’ Jane said. She wasn’t going to give any further information just to see if it irritated Jessica Anderson. Jane realized all her details were on file, and knew the American would have already seen them.
As if confirming this Jessica said, ‘I’ve read a lot about you, Jane. Your file is impressive.’
‘I’m flattered.’ Jane knew she was being made aware of the pecking order. Jessica was in charge.
‘Flattery doesn’t come into it,’ Jessica said. ‘I know from experience how hard it is for a woman to advance in what is essentially a man’s world.’
‘I wouldn’t say…’
‘Please, no false modesty,’ Jessica said, holding up her hand, effectively dismissing Jane, then turned to Crozier. ‘A word, Simon,’ she said brusquely and walked from the room, Crozier hurrying to catch up with her, making no pretence that he had a choice in the matter.
‘Do you think we passed the audition?’ Raj said. His smile suggested he didn’t really care.
‘I wouldn’t like to say,’ Jane said.
‘A problem, Jessica?’ Crozier said once they were outside in the corridor.
She wheeled on him. ‘Why is McKinley going?’ she said, coming straight to the point.
‘Because he’s good,’ Crozier said.
‘Yes, but not as good as Carter. I really don’t see the need for his inclusion.’
‘And that’s where we disagree, Jessica,’ Crozier said easily.
‘ We did as you and the Minister wanted and got Carter to come along, but Jane Talbot insisted on McKinley’s inclusion, and I agree with her. As far as we’re concerned, Carter’s damaged goods. He always was unpredictable, but he got results. The way things stand now I can’t guarantee he’ll get the job done. We want McKinley there to catch the ball if Carter drops it.’
Jessica Anderson considered this for a moment, then shook her head. ‘I’m sorry, Simon. I’m not buying it. In all honesty, I’m not that happy with the team as a whole. They’re not really what we had in mind.’
‘Who were you expecting, Ghostbusters?’ He said it with a rare smile but there was disguised venom in the words. He had spent most of the day with her and if she voiced one more supercilious opinion, or patronized one more ‘quaint’ English tradition he suspected he would replace Carter on suspension.
Jessica glared at him. ‘Don’t waste your humor on me, Simon. You seem to have forgotten who’s paying for all this.’
Crozier took a step back. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Didn’t the Minister tell you? The KDC are footing the bill for this investigation. Very remiss of him. He really should have mentioned it.’ The lipstick on her mouth twitched slightly in what was probably the memory of a smile.
Color had drained from Crozier’s face. ‘Yes, he damned well should have done. I would never have agreed to…’
‘Yes you would, Simon. From what I’ve been told, the Department’s future is currently hanging in the
