Page 46 of The High Island

Having released the front door, they listened as the sound of heavy footsteps hit the stairs.

‘I’ll usher them into the main room,’ Eddie said. ‘I suggest you wait here until they’re all assembled, then come in yourself.’

Erling tried to count the footfalls passing Eddie’s office, but could only surmise that it was quite a few. Having not yet consulted with Magnus as to the full family tree, he had no idea how many Mowats there were in total. However, the heaviness of the footsteps suggested that the majority of the arrivals were male. Unless the females of the family had taken to wearing Doc Martens.

When the stairs fell silent and a mere murmur came from the main room, Erling ventured along the corridor.

Via the open door, he could see a fair portion of the assembled clan, seated in rows. Hugh was in the front and next to him were his three brothers. First was a very belligerent-looking Harald, then Albert, then Cameron.

So Harald sees himself as second in line to the throne, Erling thought, despite the fact that Albert was next to Hugh in age. Behind them were the younger males, including the final two who had been carrying the coffin. So the funeral cortège team were allpresent and correct, and seemingly as angry and determined as they’d been in the cathedral, Erling thought.

No females were present as far as he could see. Perhaps they’d either chosen to stay away or the family business lay in the hands of the males only.

‘Come in, Detective Inspector Flett.’

At Eddie’s command, all eyes turned to the door in surprise. The first ones to meet Erling’s were those of Hugh Mowat, where astonishment was swiftly replaced by anger as he rose to his feet.

‘This is a private reading of our late father’s will,’ he said directly to Eddie.

‘In view of the fact that the youngest member of the family is reported missing, I deemed it necessary thatDIFlett should be here,’ Eddie said firmly.

Hugh was about to argue when Eddie came back in. ‘Also, Ivor left strict instructions that the will should not be read out without his great-grandson Kris being present.’

This announcement was followed by a babble of angry voices. Harald now rose to join Hugh, but whatever he was about to say was suddenly interrupted by the buzzer indicating that someone else required entry. As all surprised eyes turned towards Eddie, he pressed the switch allowing the front door to be released.

Whoever it was chose not to state their name, but immediately entered and began climbing the stairs.

Erling and Eddie exchanged glances. Might this be Kris? Erling found himself elated at the thought, while also concerned about what might be the outcome of his arrival.

He’d shut the door to the corridor on his own entry to the meeting room, and he went to open it for the visitor. Silence reigned in the room as all eyes fixed on the now-open doorway.

Erling, however, focused his gaze on both Hugh and HaraldMowat. If either brother believed or in fact knew Kris to be already dead, would that be obvious from their expressions?

Hugh’s face gave nothing away, while Harald’s remained furious. As for the other members of the family, theirs were a mixture of bafflement, surprise and anger.

Then a figure appeared in the doorway and stepped into the room.

Erling’s heart leapt in his chest.

Rachael, looking frightened but determined, cast her eyes around the room of bemused males before alighting on him. Her surprise at his presence was only matched by her obvious delight.

‘Detective Inspector Flett. I didn’t know you would be here,’ she said.

Hugh Mowat had found his voice. ‘Who the hell are you?’ he demanded.

Rachael returned Hugh’s angry gaze seemingly without flinching. ‘I am Rachael Everett. Kris’s partner,’ she said quietly. ‘And I’m here to represent Kris at the reading of his great-grandfather’s will.’

The pregnant silence that followed her announcement now gave birth to mayhem as the men all started shouting at once, either in Rachael’s direction, or at Hugh, or Eddie.

It was Erling’s barked order that eventually brought this to an end. He turned to Eddie. ‘What is the legal procedure in such a situation?’

‘I’d like to speak alone with Miss Everett in the first instance,’ Eddie said.

Hugh didn’t much like that suggestion and immediately said, ‘As Ivor’s eldest son, I insist I be present at that meeting.’

Rachael’s intervention at this point was perhaps the biggest shock of all. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out an envelope.

‘This is a letter for you, Mr Balfour, from Kris, giving his permission for me to be here in his stead.’