Page 81 of The High Island

‘How easy is it for a visitor to Orkney to reach Cava?’ she checked.

‘The island is officially uninhabited, has been for a while, so not easy unless you know someone with a boat willing to bring you here. I suppose coming via a dive boat might be one way,’ he added.

‘Right, shall we check the outbuildings?’ she said.

Their continuing search proved unfruitful and Jo had the strong feeling that the items in the dilapidated building would turn out to be the same.

Who knew why the mystery boat had been anchored in the bay? If anyone had come ashore from it, they hadn’t left clues as to why they’d done so.

Such thoughts were brought to an abrupt halt when Ethan hissed at her to turn off her torch.

‘What is it?’ she whispered as she did as asked.

‘The mystery boat’s back,’ Ethan said, pulling her down to join him behind the wall of the ruined outhouse.

39

Willie had listened without interruption as Erling relayed the story of the woman who’d confided inDSGreen at the fire station, right up to the point when he told him what she’d implied. After which the silence instantly transformed itself into a litany of expletives, accompanied by each of Ivor’s sons’ names.

When silence gained the upper hand again, Erling asked if Willie might know the elderly woman Jo had referred to.

‘Jean Ballantine,’ he now stated quietly. ‘She’s in her eighties and lives in Lyness. Her husband’s called Jimmy. He was with her this morning.’

‘Apparently she didn’t want him to hear, so wrote the accusation down inDSGreen’s notebook,’ Erling said. ‘Why would she do that, d’you think?’

‘It’s not easy to be the first to speak out,’ Willie said. ‘Plus her husband worked for the Mowats before he retired.’

‘You think she was telling the truth?’ Erling tried.

‘It would answer a lot of questions about what happened back then and what’s happening now.’ Willie echoed his own thoughts.

‘You never heard this before?’ Erling checked.

‘Folk only talk about the Mowats as they are now. Most people, especially the youngsters in the community, had never heard of Betty Mowat until Ivor died and Kris Mowat arrived here in Orkney.’

‘I’d like to talk to Jean,’ Erling said. ‘Without causing her any problems.’

There was a short silence while Willie contemplated this.

‘Best to do it at Maggie’s place whereDSGreen andPCTulloch are staying,’ he suggested. ‘Maggie knows Jean.’

‘Can you speak to Maggie for me, maybe ask if I could meet Jean there tomorrow?’

‘What aboutDSGreen?’

‘She’s occupied tonight and I have a job for her back here tomorrow,’ he explained.

‘Okay,’ Willie said. ‘I’ll give Maggie a call now and try to set it up for you.’

Offering his thanks, Erling rang off, then realized someone else had been trying to call him during his conversation with Willie. Ringing back, Erling found himself inordinately pleased that the someone was Rory.

‘Hey,’ he said. ‘I assume you’re back at Langwell?’

‘I am, and you’re not,’ Rory responded. ‘Are you likely to return soon?’

Erling would have loved to say yes, but couldn’t. He explained why. ‘TheDSwho came across from Wick is out clubbing tonight incognito. The rest of the team are out there too.’

‘You’re expecting trouble?’ Rory said. ‘Or you’re worried he’ll make trouble?’