‘We can drive you anywhere you need to go,’ Turnbull said. ‘We have a spare car that can be used. The Wolf family always made sure we were wanting for nothing.’
‘Good,’ Dunbar said. ‘Make the call and get the ball rolling, son.’
Turnbull nodded and walked back to the patrol car.
‘That’s not the same sergeant who was giving you lip earlier, surely?’ Harry said as he looked at Turnbull’s back.
‘I had my DI, Tom Barclay, call him up and give him a roasting. Just making sure he didn’t think I was some kind of pushover.’
‘It did the trick,’ Harry replied, then had a coughing fit.
Twenty-One
‘Can I get you a wee brandy?’ Nancy Shaw said, coming into the bar. ‘You both look like you’re shaken up.’
‘Thanks, that would be great, Mrs Shaw,’ Dunbar said. ‘I think we could all do with a wee drink. Stick it on the tab, will you?’
‘Aye, of course.’ She went behind the bar to pour the drinks. The bar was technically closed, with most of the other guests having departed, except for one old couple who were finishing up. Nancy brought some glasses out and poured the drinks, including one for herself.
‘I think I’ll be fine after a hot shower,’ Harry said.
‘Me too,’ Missy said. She had a holdall at her feet, hurriedly packed when they had all gone back to the big house. Neither of the Wolf boys had been around and Thomas Deal had presumably gone to bed, probably long before sundown. There was no sign of Brian Gibbons.
They all took a drink. Harry felt the warmth of the liquid burning its way down and was grateful for it.
‘You don’t mind if Missy bunks in with Alex, do you?’ Harry asked Nancy.
‘No, of course not. You shouldn’t be alone tonight.’ She looked at Harry. ‘Where are you going to sleep?’
Harry looked at Dunbar.
‘Aw, look, neighbour,’ Dunbar said, his head trying to come up with all sorts of reasons why Harry couldn’t share his room, ranging from heavy snoring to having rickets.
‘There is another wee room, next to Robbie’s,’ Nancy said. ‘It’s like a broom cupboard, but it’s got a bed in it. You’d have to share a bathroom with some of the other guests.’
‘That would be terrific, Nancy, thank you,’ Dunbar said, grinning at Harry. ‘Nothing personal, mucker.’
‘Offence taken,’ Harry replied.
‘We’ll be next to each other,’ Evans said, as if this was a positive thing.
‘Just do me a favour,’ Dunbar said. ‘Don’t have a snoring competition.’
‘I appreciate this, Mrs Shaw,’ Missy said.
‘No problem, love. I think this has put the wind up everybody.’ Nancy looked at her watch. ‘I’m going to get the kettle on through the back for old Boxer. He likes a cup of tea before bed. Just give us a shout if you need anything.’
Nancy left the bar and they stood up, getting ready to go upstairs. The elderly couple walked by, and the old woman stopped and spoke to Harry.
‘I couldn’t help overhearing what you were talking about. The house going on fire on the north island. Nothing like this has happened on the island for a very long time.’
They all looked at her. ‘What do you mean, “for a very long time”? It’s happened before?’ Harry said.
‘Well, you know about Murdo Wolf. Went missing in his plane two days before Christmas, thirty-five years ago.’
They nodded their heads in unison, agreeing that they did indeed know what had happened, and his sudden reappearance was one of the reasons they were now sitting in a bar which would transform into a breakfast room later on.
‘That’s not the whole story. Two days before, a house belonging to the Wolf family burned to the ground.’
‘Where was this?’
‘You were in it tonight, love. It was the same house.’
Twenty-Two
‘How do you feel this morning?’ Alex said, coming into Harry’s room.
‘A bit stiff. But I’ve had a hot shower and feel much better. How about you? Miss me spooning with you?’
‘Of course I did.’
‘How did Missy sleep?’
‘Well, we weren’t spooning, if that’s what you’re insinuating.’
‘I’m not. And don’t play with Harry’s head this early in the morning. Harry doesn’t like it.’
‘Tell Harry his wife doesn’t like it when he talks like that. Alex thinks it’s very irritating.’
‘Okay. But how did Missy sleep?’
‘Restless. She woke up a few times. Unlike us, the only dangerous thing she’s done in her life is drink some milk that was a week past its sell-by date.’
‘We could have both died in there last night. Whoever they are, they’re not messing about.’
‘Let’s not try to stretch our brains too much. We damn well know who they are.’ Her cheeks were starting to get a little bit red as anger touched them. ‘Fenton fucking Wolf and his scabby brother, Zach. I am going to boot them in the bollocks when I see them. Try to kill my husband? Yeah, you have me to answer to now. Bastards.’
‘It pleases me that you’re so protective,’ Harry said, ‘but form a queue. I want them in the station today, answering some bloody questions.’
‘It’s the memorial today for Oliver Wolf.’
‘Then they won’t want to hang around. The quicker they answer, the quicker they can leave.’
‘I suggested to Jimmy we go now.’
‘Agreed. Has he had breakfast?’
‘And spoken to his wife and dog. Robbie, I’m not too sure about.’
They left Harry’s room and he knocked on Evans’ door. No answer.
‘He might be downstairs,’ Alex suggested.
There was no sign of him, but Dunbar was sitting outside at a bench table with Missy. Then they saw Evans further along, on his phone.
‘Morning, Harry. Alex. You had breakfast?’
‘Just a quick coffee. I’m not that hungry. You?’ Harry said.
‘Same. I was up early. I got Missy here to do some checking on her iPad. After what that woman said last night about the house being burned down thirty-five years ago. Tell him what you found, Missy.’
Harry and Alex sat
