Page 91 of The High Island

Her reaction reminded Erling of all the parents currently out there who, once they heard what had happened, would be desperately checking the whereabouts of their teenage daughters.

Something he would never have to do himself.

‘I didn’t think things like this would happen here in Orkney,’ Eleanor said in a shocked tone. ‘That’s why I moved here.’

Bad things happen everywhere, Erling thought, but didn’t say. Instead he changed the subject by asking if they’d found anything that might belong to the victim.

‘Nothing so far. We’ve examined the surrounds plus the walkway and the decks of the boats tied up close by. If she had a mobile, and let’s face it, they’re all chained to one, we didn’t locate it, so it may be underwater. You’ll need a frogman to check for certain.’ She halted there a moment, before saying, ‘Did you register the Samaritan sign up there on the walkway gate?’

Erling had. In fact, it was etched on his brain.

Talk to us, we’ll listen.

Whatever you’re going through, you don’t have to face it alone.

‘D’you think she intended to kill herself?’ Eleanor said.

Erling shook his head, unable to answer that question.

Leaving Eleanor, he went for a final word withPCAlexander, who’d been given the task of protecting the scene from inquisitive onlookers. There was no crowd gathered, and his officer indicated that folk were largely going about their business, although obviously concerned as to why he was standing guard, with two white suits in play as well.

Life went on as usual, Erling thought. But not for the girl who had just been pulled from the harbour.

Back at the station, he now checked on the whereabouts ofDSGowan and the pastor. Informed they’d changed out of their wet clothes and were in the meeting room, Erling went upstairs.

If the two men had been mistrustful of one another at the onset of last night’s outing, it appeared they were no longer. Seemingly deep in conversation, there was also a scent of food in the air. Fried bacon, Erling thought longingly, and coffee by the looks of the carry-out cups and paper bags.

‘We stopped for rolls on the way back, sir,’ Gowan explained.

‘Good move, Sergeant. AndDSGowan found you some dry clothes,’ Erling said to Leo.

‘He did,’ Leo answered in a formal manner. Then added, ‘Have you heard anything on the identity of the girl?’

‘Not so far,’ Erling told him. ‘But we will soon, I suspect. Are you ready for a debrief? If so, I think it would be good to go to an interview room and record it.’

‘Of course, sir.’ Gowan rose with what seemed to Erling to be a marked glance at Leo, who immediately nodded.

As they made their way downstairs, Erling considered the meaning of that look.

The street pastor was in the business of saving souls and doling out flip-flops to girls to help them walk home. He doubted if he’d ever been interrogated about a death before.

HadDSGowan forewarned him of what was involved? Or had they in fact rehearsed their story together? Which would be a violation on the part of the detective sergeant.

A glance at Gowan brought the uneasy feeling that the transferred officer was enjoying being part of this story. Even more so now that he was at its centre.

It was this thought that prompted Erling to indicate that he would record their stories separately.

‘I’ll take Leo first,’ he said, on reaching the room. ‘I suggest you go and write up your report, Sergeant, and I’ll speak with you later.’

He realized, as he told Leo to take a seat while he set up the recording, that the pastor appeared ill at ease at the change in the proceedings.

‘I’d like you to tell me exactly what happened in the lead-up to you andDSGowan being called to the harbour,’ he said firmly. ‘Start from the beginning and leave nothing out, even if it seems trivial.’

Leo appeared to take a breath before speaking, or maybe he was saying an internal prayer.

‘It started out as a normal Saturday night. Quiet at first. There were three pastors on duty, including myself, plus two police officers who were known to me. ThenDSGowan arrived with a couple of lads, who he appeared to have met up with beforehand, maybe in a pub. We didn’t acknowledge one another, and he disappeared inside.’ He halted there and looked to Erling.

‘And?’ Erling encouraged him.