Page 21 of Death on a Scottish Train

I was curious about the accountant’s work life. Even though I’d promised to wait for Ewan, I decided to take a chance and drive up the mountain. Maybe I’d be lucky and someone would be there.

Worst case, if the office was closed, I could go by the bread maker’s and pick up some sourdough. And maybe pick up some new novels from the bookstore.

When I arrived at the stone building a block down from the police station, I realized it was several offices in one space. The front door was open.

Inside, I found a board that listed the accounting offices located on the second floor.

When I arrived, the door to the office was open.

“Hello.” I said tentatively. There were bustling sounds inside.

What if it’s the killer?

I pulled the mace I carried out of my bag.

A smart person would have called the police. But I knew Ewan and his team were busy.

I cleared my throat. “Hello?” My voice squeaked.

Heavy footsteps headed toward me. I held up the mace and steadied myself ready for an attack.

“Doc?” Henry asked as he came around the corner. “What are you doing here?”

The tightness in my chest released, and I blew out a breath.

“I came to see if I could get a better sense of the victim’s work life. Maybe I could glean who would want the man dead.”

“So you’ve decided it was murder?” Henry asked.

I nodded. “It was anaphylactic shock, but I can’t imagine he would have poisoned himself.”

“Couldn’t he have eaten something that caused his death?” Henry must not have had access to our reports so far. Ewan meant what he said about trying to keep things close to the vest. Not that sweet Henry would ever say anything on purpose that might hurt the case. He was a great officer.

“No.” I didn’t see any harm in him knowing, since he was the one investigating. “Abigail updated the reports this morning. The bee venom was in his lip balm. We checked with the maker of the balm, and they don’t use the stuff. So someone must have put it in there. I wanted to check here and at his home to see if there were more tubes that might have been affected.”

And to see if there were any clues to who might have killed him. I was not sure exactly what I thought I might find, but it was worth looking.

Whenever I started a case, I had no idea where the evidence might lead, but I had this deep-seated need to find out. It turned out my real-life love of mystery novels and television shows had come in handy when I moved to Scotland.

I’d been a reluctant coroner when I’d first arrived in Sea Isle a year ago. But the need to solve cases had become a part of me that I’d never known was there. It was my job to speak for the dead, and I took the responsibility seriously.

“I came by to look through the files and to collect his computer,” Henry said. “I’ll be searching all of the offices for information. The partner gave me permission to go through anything that wasn’t personal client files. I have a warrant with the judge for that.”

There was an offer in his voice. Henry really was the sweetest.

“Do you mind if I help out?” I asked.

“No problem.”

“Don’t you need to check with Ewan?”

He shook his head. “The boss says to keep you informed. You might as well be here.”

I wasn’t so sure that was exactly what Ewan meant, but I was grateful to the young officer. “Thanks, Henry.”

We worked in silence. After putting the computer equipment in the box he’d brought, he went through some of the bookshelves that lined all three offices.

I donned a pair of gloves and went through the victim’s desk.