'I'll think of something,' said Hamish.
After they had put the groceries away, they drove to Glenanstey. 'It's a grand day,' said Hamish, 'but it'll get dark quite soon now.'
'I find this landscape quite intimidating,' said Olivia, looking up at the towering mountains. 'It must be a bleak place in the winter.'
'We get some bad winters.' Hamish sounded defensive. 'But not as bad as they have further south. We're near the Gulf Stream up here. They even have palm trees down in Rossshire.'
'Nonetheless, I would miss the lights of the city.'
Hamish drove on in silence. He had a feeling that what that exchange had really meant was-Don't get any ideas, Hamish Macbeth. I am not going to live up here with you.
Parry's cottage was deserted. Hamish went up onto a rise and scanned the surroundings. No sign of Parry and his car was not outside the house.
'Let's see if the fair Felicity is at home,' he said.
Felicity opened the door to them. 'What now?' she asked.
'Just a chat,' said Hamish.
'Who's she?'
Hamish pressed Olivia's arm warningly. 'My girlfriend up from Glasgow.'
'So what is it?'
'I wanted to ask you a few more questions about Tommy.'
'I've told you all I know. My case comes up before the sheriff next week.'
'Look, can we come in?'
'If you must.'
She turned and walked through the kitchen and into the living room.
'I'm still interested in why Tommy went to that Church of the Rising Sun,' said Hamish. 'Tommy struck me as a bright boy and the people there were rubbish.'
'He said something about finding cults fascinating.'
'And that was all?'
'I s'pose.' Felicity shrugged her thin shoulders. The sun was going down and despite the cold of the approaching evening and the cold in the chalet, Felicity was wearing a scanty top and a long floating skirt of Indian cotton. But there was a sprinkling of gooseflesh on her thin arms. Hamish wondered if her parents had cut off her allowance and that was why she had not turned on any heating. But Parry would surely supply her with peat for the fire and not charge for it and yet the fire was unlit. Probably one of those people who considered heat a decadent weakness.
'I would have liked to see Tommy's Bible,' said Hamish.
'Why? Do you think there might be cryptic clues in Exodus, Sherlock?'
Hamish looked at her with irritation. That was exactly what he had been thinking, or that perhaps if Tommy had had any notes, they might be in the Bible. 'I find it odd it hasn't been found.' 'Look, would you shove off? I haven't anything more to tell you.'
'You might think of something,' said Hamish. 'Where's Parry?'
'How should I know?' Hamish gave up.
Outside, he said to Olivia, 'We may as well try Parry later. There's a good tea shop down in the village.' 'I couldn't eat anything after that lunch.' 'We'll just have tea. Miss Black, who runs it, is very sharp. She might know something.'
As they got into the police Land Rover and drove off, Hamish could see Felicity's pale face at the kitchen window, looking at them.
'This isn't a village. It's a hamlet,' remarked Olivia as they drove into Glenanstey.
'And full of rude forefathers,' said Hamish. Olivia surveyed the small huddle of houses. 'Why would anyone want to live here?' she marvelled.
'Because it's beautiful,' said Hamish testily. His little dream of himself and Olivia settling down at the Lochdubh police station was fading fast. 'Well, Miss Black likes it and runs a good business. Here we are.'
He parked outside the tea shop and they went in.
'You're latish,' said Miss Black. 'I was just thinking of closing up. But sit down. What can I get you?'
'Just tea,' said Olivia.
When Miss Black bustled back with a fat pottery teapot, milk and sugar and cups, she smiled at Olivia and said, 'The tea's real. No tea bags here.'
'Won't you join us?' said Hamish. 'This is Chief Inspector Chater from Glasgow. Although we are both officially on holiday, I'm still puzzled by poor Tommy Jarret's death.'
'Yes, it is puzzling,' said Miss Black, sitting down at their table. 'He was so young, so confident, although always talking about seeking the meaning of life and that's apt to rob anyone of their sense of humour.'
'Yes, there was talk of him being religious,' said Hamish. 'His Bible was never found and I wonder why. His parents would like it.'
'Oh, the Bible,' said Miss Black. 'He left it here the day before he died.'
CHAPTER NINE
– Matthew Arnold
'Have you got it?' asked Hamish.
'No, I gave it to Mr. McSporran.'
'When?'
'I took it over on my way to work, the day Tommy died. I was in a rush and I saw Mr. McSporran in the lower field with his sheep and so I gave it to him.'
The door opened and two ramblers walked in.
'Excuse me,' said Miss Black, and rose to serve them.
'We'd better go and have a look at that Bible,' said Olivia.
'I don't understand.' Hamish shook his head in bewilderment. 'Why would Parry keep it and not say anything?'
'Maybe he did give it to Tommy, and whoever killed the boy found it and took it away. I mean, you did say you thought there ought to be more of that book he was writing. So maybe they took that away and took the Bible as well.'
Hamish's face cleared. 'That must be it.'
Olivia frowned. 'You know Parry well?'
'Yes, we're friends. I usually drop in on him for a cup of coffee when I'm out this way.'
'Did not his choice of tenants strike you as odd? One junkie and one magic mushroom picker? Bit of a coincidence.'
Hamish darkened. 'It can't be anything more than a coincidence.'
'But wouldn't it be an idea just to ask him about a few things?'
'Aye,' said Hamish heavily. 'Let's go.'
Parry's car was once more parked outside his croft house. Hamish knocked at the door and Parry opened it.
'A few words,' said Hamish.
'Right you are,' said Parry cheerfully. 'It's all over the place about your kidnapping. This'll be that woman inspector I read about.'
'Yes, this is Olivia. We've just had tea at Miss Black's. Parry, she says she gave you Tommy's Bible on the
