Barry.
'Aye, that would be grand.'
'I have some phone calls to make,' said Olivia. 'You go ahead.'
'It's the first time I've seen plastic tartan,' said Hamish, sitting down on a tartan banquette. 'Isn't this hotel awful?'
'The whole of Strathbane is awful,' said Kevin. 'All that lovely highland countryside all about and this town sitting in the middle of it like some great excrescence.'
They ordered whiskies. 'The thing that's bothering me,' said Barry, leaning forward, 'is that Superintendent Daviot. He's like a wee boy playing at cops and robbers. And the men on the boat ought to be armed.'
'Aye,' said Hamish. 'I don't like this idea of two shipments. One would have nailed them, quicker and safer. Olivia's not stupid. Why didn't she object?'
'Because she got where she is today,' said Kevin, 'by agreeing with everything the higher ranks said or told her to do. And it's landed her in some hairy situations before. She knows if she starts sticking pins in Daviot's plans, then he'll report her as an officer who is awkward to work with.'
Hamish looked around the bar. He was wearing his dark glasses just in case he saw a familiar face, but there were few people in that night.
He stayed talking to Kevin and Barry for about an hour and then they all went upstairs to their respective rooms.
'You took your time,' said Olivia when he walked in. 'And you smell of whisky. I hope you're not turning out to be a drunk.'
'I only had a couple,' protested Hamish. 'I can nurse a drink for a pretty long time.'
'Why is it always just a couple? That's the sign of a drunk, Hamish.'
Hamish repressed a sigh. Frosty Olivia was back again.
The fact was that Olivia was as nervous as Hamish over the forthcoming operation, but could not confide in him. She had got this far in police ranks by never criticising a superior officer to anyone.
'Chust a suggestion,' said Hamish tentatively.
'That being?'
'I didn't like the look in Lachie's eyes when I said you were my business partner. We're going to have to look as if we're in love.'
'Why?'
'Well, it figures that a man who was besotted with his wife would take her everywhere.'
She sat frowning for a moment and then said, 'All right. We'll try that.'
'Do you know what it's like to be in love, Olivia?'
To his surprise, her face flamed scarlet and she said, 'Mind your own business.'
'Sorry. Look, are we going to have to stay cooped up in here tomorrow? Or can we go somewhere?'
'Where?'
'Anywhere. We could take a picnic. The weather forecast says it's going to be fine and there won't be many more fine days. Winter sets in early up here.'
'I'll check with Daviot tomorrow. I don't see any reason why we can't go out.'
Hamish brightened. 'I'll buy some stuff for a picnic tomorrow morning.'
'No, you won't,' said Olivia sharply. 'Drug barons don't go out shopping for picnics. We'll send Kevin and Barry. I don't think we need to take them with us, though. We're not in any danger.'
'Yet,' said Hamish, but she had reached over and switched on the television set and did not hear.
The following day they set off with a generous hamper of goodies in the back seat, Kevin having done the shopping at Strathbane's one posh delicatessen.
'Where are we going?' asked Olivia as the sun sparkled on the broken glass in front of one of Strathbane's many dismal high-rises.
'The Falls of Braggie. It's a beauty spot.'
'Won't it be full of tourists?'
'Too late in the year.'
The Falls of Braggie, a tremendous waterfall of gold peaty water, crashed down from a great height. Rainbows danced in the spray. Ferns already turning golden lined the steep banks of the River Braggie. Rowan trees heavy with dark red berries stood gracefully on the banks.
'Is there any sort of flat place round here?' asked Olivia.
'There,' said Hamish, pointing to a flat rock in the middle of the river below the falls.
'And how do we get across?'
'There's some rocks that act as stepping-stones. I'll leave the car here and then we'll carry the hamper down to the river.'
'What on earth has Kevin bought?' groaned Olivia as they edged their way down, carrying the heavy hamper between them. 'Half the shop?'
When they got to the edge of the river, she noticed there was a little causeway of rocks leading out to the flat stone. They gingerly made their way across and sat down with the hamper between them, the sun hot on their heads.
Olivia lifted the lid. 'Now, let's see what we have here. Good God, what a waste of police money!'
There was cold grouse, pate, rolls and butter, salad, various cheeses, chocolate cake and among various other goodies a bottle of vintage champagne.
'I think Kevin was just trying to keep up our rich image,' said Hamish. 'Let me see. Did he put in glasses to drink out of? No, he didn't, silly man. We'll need to drink out of the bottle.'
'Not you. You're driving.'
'I'll have a mouthful. Oh, look, here's a flask of coffee and paper cups. We can use the cups.'
'This is incredibly beautiful,' said Olivia, looking around her. 'I'm beginning to understand why you love it up here so much.'
'He's remembered plates and knives and forks,' said Hamish, rummaging in the bottom of the hamper. 'Do you want me to serve?'
'No, I'll do it. I'm not completely de-feminised.'
Olivia was wearing trousers, and a sky-blue lambswool sweater over a blue silk blouse. Hamish was wearing an expensive sports shirt and designer jeans. 'I wonder what happens to all these clothes when I hand them back,' he said, watching Olivia as she arranged squares of pate, toast Melba and pats of butter on two plates.
'They probably go back into some sort of police wardrobe. Oh, open the champagne. We may as well have a glass, or rather a paper cup, of the stuff'
Hamish filled two cups and then placed the bottle carefully in the shallow water which ran round the rock to keep cool.
'I can't believe it's so warm,' said Olivia.
'It's the lack of pollution up here,' replied Hamish. 'The sun has nothing to block the rays. It'll be cold tonight, mind, with a sharp frost.'
'There speaks the true countryman. What's the matter?'
There was a sudden wariness and stillness about Hamish.
'I don't think we're alone. Don't look round!'
'How do you know?'
'Chust a feeling.'
'Probably tourists,' said Olivia impatiently.
'Now we start to flirt,' said Hamish. 'Voices carry.'
He raised his voice. 'More champagne, darling?' He lowered his voice. 'And take that suspicious look off your face. I am not using this as an excuse to make a pass at you.'
'That would be lovely,' said Olivia loudly. 'If you've finished your pate, we'll start on this grouse.'
Hamish smiled at her lazily and glanced idly around. His sharp eyes caught a flash of light up on the left bank. 'We're being watched through binoculars. I'm going to kiss you.'
'Is that necessary? Married men don't go around kissing their wives in public.'
'Besotted ones do. Lean forward and pucker up.'
