‘Aye, I’ll second that,’ Shug said. ‘Turnbull is the worst copper I’ve ever seen in uniform, but at least he’s not homophobic.’
‘What are you both going to do now?’ Harry asked, impressed even more with the big man.
‘We’ll find something,’ Muckle said. ‘Might even have to go back to the mainland. As sure as fate, those Wolf offspring will sell the properties they’ve been left and there would be no need for us anymore anyway. The hotel is right next door to this house, but that will go as well.’
‘Right, son, we need to go and talk to our sergeants. We have to get some alibis sorted out.’
‘You think one of those Wolf clan could have murdered their brother?’ Shug asked.
‘In my experience, when it comes to money, some people can’t help themselves,’ Dunbar replied, and Muckle nodded his head in agreement.
‘Just watch that Fenton one,’ Muckle said as they all stood up. Sparky was up in an instant. ‘He’s a fly bastard.’
‘I’ll bear that in mind.’
They went back through to the room where the others were waiting. Dunbar waved Sergeant Turnbull over. ‘Keep an eye on this lot. DCI McNeil and I have to have a meeting with our crew.’
The sergeant made a face like he was about to say something, but thought better of it. ‘Just keep that big bastard and his dug out o’ my way.’
‘Aye, you wouldn’t want him making you look like a wee lassie, would you?’
‘Just remember one thing: we live here. You’ll be back on the mainland soon.’ Turnbull walked away.
‘I swear to God, if he talks to me like that again…’ Dunbar watched the man walk away, then turned back to Evans. ‘Let’s have a meeting in the other room before we head off to the station.’
The four detectives went into the library. Alex and Evans sat on chairs while Dunbar and Harry took the seats they’d just vacated minutes earlier.
‘Right, let’s hear what they had to say for themselves,’ Dunbar said.
Alex had her notebook out. ‘I started with Shona Gibbons and her husband. They were at the hotel the family owns down by the beach. They said that the staff there saw them and would be able to confirm they were there yesterday afternoon. They saw Mr McInsh there, and Shug. Effectively giving them an alibi. They were all doing their own thing before getting together in the evening. Clive didn’t show and he was moody, apparently, so nobody was surprised. They didn’t go looking for him.’
‘Do we know who inherited the lodge where Clive Wolf was found?’ Harry asked.
‘Yes. They were told last night at the meeting. It was Shona. Fenton got the hotel where the memorial is being held, while Clive and Zachary have each been left a house near here. They’ll each have a share in the Wolf family business and split the money. And this house.’
‘Except Clive, obviously,’ Evans said. ‘We need to ask Thomas Deal, the solicitor, what happens to Clive’s share,’ Dunbar said. ‘Who benefits from his death.’
‘Maybe Shona, since she’s his twin.’
‘What about the other alibis? Like Deal himself and his assistant?’ Harry asked.
‘They were at the hotel as well,’ Evans answered.
‘Basically, all the Wolf family have an alibi?’ Harry said.
‘No. Fenton and Zach have hee-haw alibi. Out and about. That’s all they’ve got,’ Evans said.
‘Do they all live here on the island?’ Harry asked.
Alex shook her head. ‘No. Only Clive did. He lived in this house. We don’t know why he went up to the lodge. Shona doesn’t know why. Her brother was strange. But no, the others live in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Fenton and Zachary live in Glasgow. Shona and Brian live in Edinburgh.’
‘What about Deal?’ Dunbar asked. ‘East or west?’
‘East. Oliver Wolf had a small flat in Edinburgh.’
‘That’s good enough for a start,’ Dunbar said. ‘I think we should get them down to the station. Give them a formal interview there.’
They stood up and left the room again, going back to the living room where the rest of them were.
‘Where’re Fenton and Zach?’ Dunbar asked.
‘They left,’ Thomas Deal said. The solicitor was looking tired and years beyond his age.
‘Where did they go?’
‘They said they still had things to do to prepare for the memorial service tomorrow. Apparently, it’s still going ahead.’
‘We need to ask you a few questions,’ Harry said. He noted that Muckle, Shug and the dog were gone.
‘Any time. But could we do it later? I need a nap. I didn’t want to come here again, but there was a provision in Oliver’s will that I couldn’t refuse.’
‘We’d like to get it done now, if you don’t mind. Time is getting away from us.’
The old solicitor sighed. ‘If you insist.’
‘We’d like to do this down at the police station,’ Dunbar said.
‘As long as they have the kettle on. But I think I heard Fenton saying something about them going to the fairground. It’s not far from the hotel. On the other side of the island.’
Harry nodded to Alex and she and Evans left.
‘Our lift just went,’ Dunbar said in a low voice.
‘We’ll commandeer a patrol car.’
‘Why don’t you use one of Oliver’s cars? He actually left me two, a Range Rover and a BMW Five Series. They’re only a year old, both clean and have a full tank. Missy and I are driving them back to the mainland. On Sunday, after Saturday’s memorial bash. Tomorrow’s Saturday, isn’t it? I forget what day of the week it is sometimes. But yes, we’ll be driving them back. Well, only one, as we have our own car. But you can use the BMW if you like? My knees aren’t what they used to be, so it would be easier for me to get into the Range Rover. That would be okay, wouldn’t it, Missy?’
‘It would, yes,’ Missy said, appearing by his side as if by magic.
‘Fenton wanted us to fly over, but I told him, no thanks. So we drove. I didn’t know about the cars being left to
