Page 16 of The High Island

‘My thoughts exactly,’ Erling said as they entered Stromness. ‘Which makes me even keener to talk to young Kris.’

They found a parking spot near the harbour and cut through onto Victoria Street and the Stromness Hotel. As they walked, Erling found himself questioning why Kris should have chosen to stay in Stromness, since Ivor had ended his days in Kirkwall and had had his funeral in St Magnus Cathedral.

From what he’d heard viaPCTulloch, Kris had been in attendance at the wake at the Kirkwall Hotel. So he hadn’t followed the coffin to its final resting place on Hoy, which seemed odd, if he was indeed the favourite.

Muttering his thoughts out loud on this, he was met by a response from Jo.

‘I suspect he was keen to observe those who didn’t follow Ivor to Hoy, as they were more likely to be his adversaries. What?’ she added as he threw her a penetrating look. ‘You forget I’m the daughter of a Caithness minister. There’s nothing I don’t know about feuding families and what goes on at funerals, and at weddings,’ she added with a smile. ‘Including the ones where the wedding cake gets flushed down the toilet.’

Erling was at a loss on how to come up with an Orcadian equivalent, although he was pretty sure there would be one, and Tommy would likely know it. Luckily, they’d reached the steps leading up to the entrance of the hotel.

Approaching the desk, he asked that Mr Kris Mowat should be informed of their arrival. The call from the desk to the room being answered, they were given the room number and invited to go on up.

‘Who told you he was staying here?’ Erling said.

‘PCTulloch.’

‘And we don’t have a mobile number for Kris Mowat?’

‘No. And I think the voice that just answered the call to the room was female,’ Jo said.

‘Kris brought someone with him to Orkney?’ Erling said. ‘I didn’t spot that at the funeral.’

‘Perhaps he spared her both the funeral and the wake,’ Jo suggested.

The room was on the second floor. They decided against the lift and headed for the stairs instead. Now, standing outside the appropriate door, Erling indicated with a finger to his lips that they should listen before knocking, keen to establish who in fact was in the room.

When all they heard was silence, Erling began to think that the female who’d answered the call might well be there on her own.

It turned out he was right. His firm knock was swiftly answered, the door opening to reveal a young woman looking out at them. His first impression was of fear. Either she was frightened of the police in general or of this visit in particular.

Erling explained who they both were, and that they wished to speak to Kris Mowat, adding a ‘please’ at the end in an effort to allay her fears, whatever their origin.

‘Kris isn’t here,’ she managed, her voice a little shaky.

‘Perhaps you could give him a call and tell him we’re in Stromness and would like a word with him?’ Jo suggested.

Jo’s kindly tone only seemed to make matters worse, as the girl’s face crumpled. A small sob followed, before she managed to say, ‘Kris went out this morning and he’s not come back. I think something bad has happened to him.’

Jo moved inside, helped the girl to a seat near the window, then took the neighbouring chair by the small table.

Erling, following Jo into the room, closed the door quietly behind him and remained standing there in silence.

‘Why would you think something bad has happened to him?’ Jo asked quietly.

‘He’s not answering his phone. And after the funeral . . .’ She tailed off as though she’d already said too much.

‘He’s upset about his great-grandfather?’ Jo tried.

‘No . . . yes . . . I—’ The girl came to a halt and drew herself up. ‘I apologize. I’m overreacting. He’ll have gone fora walk or maybe a run round the island in the hired car. He sometimes turns his mobile off when he wants to think.’

‘I spoke to him regarding our visit at this time,’ Jo said.

The girl nodded. ‘I know. I’m sure he meant to be back.’

Erling wasn’t sure he believed that and, when he exchanged glances with Jo, it looked like she didn’t either.

‘What about if we just chat until he arrives?’ Jo suggested.