Page 54 of The High Island

‘A bit of both,’ Erling told him, thinking of his recent conversation with Magnus.

Ending the call, he decided what he planned to do with the time he had left today.

24

He found Jo still at her desk.

‘Isn’t it time you logged off for the day? Especially since you’re catching the early ferry to Hoy tomorrow.’

‘I’m almost finished,’ she told him. ‘Unless you’ve something else for me to do?’ she added quizzically.

‘Just thought if you were still around I should bring you up to date regarding the findings on Stella.’

‘The post-mortem report is here?’ she said.

‘It is. I’ve put a copy up on the system, together with theAI-generated images of our victim and child. Check it out when you have time, although the burnt body on the beach is our top priority at present. As is the missing Kris Mowat.’

When Jo asked how Stella had died, Erling outlined the post-mortem details. ‘And the best guess on the baby was suffocation, either before or after burial.’

‘So she could be another Betty Corrigall?’ Jo said quietly.

‘Or someone murdered both her and the baby,’ Erling said. ‘Either way, I have Magnus delving into war records on Hoy. We’ll strive to find out who she was and have her buried properly with the child,’ he added firmly. ‘On another topic, Magnus revealed that he gave evidence in connection with a drug trial in Aberdeen recently, where a Max Mowat was involved. He was found not guilty, but according to Magnus, he’s Harald Mowat’s son, and grandson of Ivor.’

‘So maybe part of the Mowat nightclub business in Aberdeen?’ Jo offered.

‘Could be,’ Erling said. Then, ‘You saw the roster for the weekend? Not your worry, of course. You’ll have your hands full on Hoy. But Leo stressed he didn’t want the increased police presence to be in uniform. So I thought I might involveDSGowan once he arrives, since he’s a complete unknown here in Kirkwall.’

Jo’s face seemed to fall at this, then she recovered herself. Erling contemplated, albeit briefly, whether he should question her reaction, then decided against it.

If his sergeant had concerns about any of his decisions, he was confident she would voice them. If he’d learned anything since her arrival here from Caithness, it was thatDSJo Green was not backward at coming forward.

Then a thought occurred. ‘I never asked if you were acquainted withDSGus Gowan?’ When Jo shook her head, he added, ‘I thought you would have mentioned it if you were.’ He smiled. ‘I think Auld Mackie should have a look at the reconstructed Stella. So I’m off there now.’

Jo’s face lit up at that. ‘Sure you can deal with him on your own?’ she said with a mischievous grin.

‘I’ll do my best,’ Erling promised. ‘And I’ll be in touch tomorrow once you settle in on Hoy. I’ll visit you on Sunday, although I’m certain you and Ivan Tulloch will make a great team.’

‘We will,’ Jo assured him.

Certain now that all was well with his second-in-command, Erling headed out to his vehicle.

A steady wind had got up since he’d walked to Eddie’s office. It buffeted him as he crossed the car park, and almost succeeded in hitting him with the car door as he climbed into the driver’s seat. The sky had darkened with rain clouds, although their scurrying nature suggested they were in too much of a hurry to spill their contents on the islands below.

On the way out of Kirkwall, the thought occurred that he should have asked if Jo had been in touch with Rachael since this morning’s events. Although, knowing Jo, he decided she more than likely had been, conscientious as she was.

As he gained the Orphir road, he considered again his interchange with Magnus. Could he be satisfied with merely identifying the woman and child buried at the old Mowat place? Or would the reason for their deaths and burial continue to haunt him?

As for the body on the beach, he was holding out hope that it wouldn’t be Kris Mowat and that he and Rachael might head back to London together, away from the wrath of the Mowat clan, until the law settled their differences.

Approaching home, he was elated to see Rory’s vehicle parked at Langwell, and a surge of both pleasure and anticipation drove all other thoughts from his mind. Should he just stop there and keep his visit to Auld Mackie until the morning?

That thought came and went. Rory was expecting him by seven, and was likely deep in his preparation for tonight’s meal. Something he took seriously. So Erling drove on past, arriving at Mackie’s to park at the foot of the steep climb to his front door.

As he emerged from the car, the westerly wind brought the smell of peat smoke, and he registered that the old man’s fire would be on as usual. Much like the range in his father’s kitchen. That thought brought a reminder that he should speak further to Tommy over the weekend, about Sandy and Ivor. Show him the now-extended Mowat family tree and see if it sparked any memories.

Opening the front door, he gave a shout announcing his presence and was swiftly answered with a ‘Come away in, Inspector’.

Auld Mackie was seated in his usual place by the fire,TheOrcadiannewspaper on a side table, the front page of which had animage of the crime scene cordoned off at Lyrawa Bay. There was also a glass, whose contents looked like home brew.