Page 83 of The High Island

‘Another reason for me to come to Hoy . . .’ Erling explained about his planned meeting with Jean Ballantine at Maggie’s tomorrow, before ending the call with a promise to be there as soon as he could. ‘And keep me in touch regardingDSGreen.’

Ringing off, he immediately called Magnus, hoping the lights of Seaview were still on and that Magnus hadn’t now gone to bed. The voice that answered sounded as alert as he was himself.

‘I need your help,’ Erling told him.

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‘Any luck?’ Ethan asked as Jo arrived back beside him.

‘None. If there’s a signal to be had on this island, I haven’t located it yet.’ She checked her watch. ‘Ivan will be back from his meeting and getting worried about my non-return.’

‘Will he call it in, do you think?’ Ethan said, sounding concerned.

‘I think he’ll informDIFlett, and leave that option up to him.’ She settled down behind the wall again.

‘If they don’t spot theAngel Heart, we can be away as soon as they leave,’ Ethan said. ‘But if they realize we’re here?’

Jo met his eyes but didn’t answer, because she didn’t have to. Both of them knew what those on the boat might be capable of.

They’d been behind the wall for the better part of two hours. At first, they’d thought the lights on the water between them and the mystery boat had meant someone was coming ashore, but eventually they’d realized that wasn’t the case. It now seemed more likely that someone was diving between the boat and the beach.

When Jo had suggested this might be a night-dive boat from Stromness, Ethan had dismissed this as a possibility. He was familiar with the local dive boats and their routines.

‘It does appear to be a night dive, just not for pleasure,’ he said. ‘Much like the last time I saw this happen.’

‘And your theory is that they’re stashing drugs down there?’ Jo said.

‘That would be my guess.’

‘So who picks up the delivery?’

‘This is a busy spot for fishing and diving. Collection without raising suspicion could be possible,’ Ethan said. ‘Even I could do it.’

‘So this is how the Mowats are bringing drugs into Orkney?’ she said, almost to herself.

‘This may not be the Mowats,’ Ethan said. ‘They’ve never to my knowledge used violence in their dealings with Orkney folk. Threats maybe, but nothing like that body on the beach.’

‘A turf war, then?’

‘That’s the more likely explanation.’ Ethan raised his head above the wall, then slid back down again. ‘They’re leaving,’ he told her. ‘We’ll let them get well away, then head for theAngel.’

A rising wind was ruffling the surface of the water and Jo found herself shivering as she followed Ethan back across the grass and on to the beach where they’d left the dinghy. The half-moon, having ducked in and out from behind the passing clouds, now emerged to show them something they didn’t want to see.

The dinghy was still on the beach where they’d left it, but theAngel Heartwas no longer to be seen.

‘They knew we were here,’ Jo said, trying to keep the dismay from her voice.

Ethan didn’t answer, but instead used his powerful light to sweep the waters of the bay to no avail. TheAngel Hearthad definitely gone.

Jo could feel his anger, frustration and acute sense of loss.

Not knowing what to say, she waited and watched as he pulled himself together.

‘Right,’ he said firmly. ‘If they didn’t hole her, then she might not be that far out. And the next tide could bring her into sight again.’ He checked his watch. ‘High tide’s in an hour. I’m going to walk the beach with my beam, see if she’s drifted up the coast. I suggest you keep trying for a signal. Maybe head closer to Hoy this time.’

It sounded like a plan, although Jo had an underlying fear that should Ethan spot his boat, he might well try to swim to it in his keenness to get it back.

‘You won’t go swimming?’ she found herself saying.