Page 104 of Death on a Scottish Train

As I wrote, something niggled at my brain. The answer had to be in the files.

“Let’s do this,” I said as I opened the files on my computer.

But I kept checking the cameras at the front and back doors. I couldn’t shake the feeling someone was watching me, and I wasn’t sure what to do about it.

Chapter Twenty-Six

The weather had whipped up a summer storm, but Ewan and the summer fair committee had covered all contingencies. The party was under a huge white tent, and the shuttles dropped us off at the canopied entry.

While I’d planned on wearing another of the dresses I’d bought at Lulu’s, the weather changed my mind for me. It was freezing outside. This was a casual dance, so I donned my black boots, jeans, and a green sweater with bell sleeves. It would be chilly in the tent, even with so many bodies inside and the heaters that would stand tall throughout.

By the time I made it to the bottom of the hill to the shuttle, I was grateful I wore jeans and my jacket. I pulled the hood of my jacket up as cold rain spilled down from the sky.

“Evening, Doc,” Mara’s grandfather said from behind the wheel.

“Does your granddaughter volunteer you for everything?” I smiled to take the edge from my words.

“Aye, but I volunteered on my own for the first shift tonight. I like getting to see all the residents on their way to the fete. It’s fun.”

Her grandparents were some of the kindest people I’d ever met. They had been my points of contact before I arrived in Sea Isle. And they, and the town, had been so much more wonderful than I could have ever imagined.

I sat behind him and waved at each of the partygoers as they entered. When the shuttle was full, we headed up the mountain to Ewan’s estate, which was just outside of town.

The enormous rectangle tent was dressed in white lights, and we went inside.

The food had been set up at the back of the tent where I found Mara and Jasper talking. She’d piled her curls on top of her head in a messy bun. But she wore a cute, sparkly, emerald dress with boots.

Jasper was in his normal jeans and rugby shirt. It was kind of a uniform for the pâtissier. He still had a bandage on his head, but other than that, he appeared fine.

“I feel underdressed,” I said to Mara. “You’re so sparkly.”

She waved a hand. “You always look gorgeous.”

“How are you two feeling?”

Jasper shrugged. “A bit stiff from the fall, but not too bad thanks to you.”

Mara only had a small plaster on her temple where she’d hit the floor. “I’m good,” Mara said. “I took multiple naps today.”

“Me, too,” Jasper added. “I only had to make macarons for tonight’s event. And then I crashed. Any news on the case? I’m curious who tried to kill us.”

The crowd around us all turned at once and quieted down.

“That would be a no,” I said louder than necessary.

“But I still feel so guilty about you two being hurt,” I whispered. “I’m so sorry.”

“Hey, we’re the idiots who followed you into danger,” Jasper said. “And Mara had the pepper spray—I should have let her go down first.”

“Since you were tasered, I’m not sure that would have helped,” I said. “I don’t think I’m ever going to get over this guilt.”

Jasper made the sign of the cross over me.

“What are you doing?” Mara asked. “Only priests can do that.”

“Well, I’m absolving her guilt,” Jasper said. “Dinnae worry about us, Doc. Except for dating two men at once, it’s the most exciting thing that’s happened to me in a year.”

“Two?” Mara and I said at the same time.