Page 26 of Death on a Scottish Train

“I always feel like two sets of eyes are better than one. You had to rush off, so we didn’t finish looking at all the rooms. I’m available.”

“Henry will be meeting me there when he’s finished at the station.”

I sighed. “Please, don’t make me beg or force me to break into Mr. Jacks’s home later.”

He laughed. “You would, I’m sure.”

I shrugged. “You’ve met me.”

“Aye, I have.”

“Besides, you let me go before, what’s so different now?” I paused at his car.

“Fair point.” He waved me to follow him.

“Aren’t we going to his home?”

“It is only a few blocks away. If anything else needs to be boxed up, Henry will take care of it.”

“Right.” I felt dumb for forgetting.

Once we arrived, he pulled a small evidence packet from his pants pocket. There was a key ring inside. After trying a few, the last key finally worked.

“Hello, ACC,” a woman said before we could go inside.

His shoulders stiffened for a second before he turned and smiled at the woman. “Hello, Mrs. Culbert.”

She had gray hair that was cut short around her face. She wore a house dress with an apron over it and fuzzy house shoes. She was apatient of mine, but the one time she’d come in, she’d been in a church dress, hose, and black patent leather shoes.

I smiled at her, and she did the same back to me. “Doctor.”

“Good to see you, Mrs. Culbert. I hope you are feeling well.”

“I am. Thanks to you.”

“Was there something you needed?” Ewan asked gently. I could tell he didn’t want to chat; he was ready to just get inside.

“Nasty business,” she said as she waved a hand toward Mr. Jacks’s home.

“Aye,” he said. “Did you know him well?”

I was curious, since the police hadn’t shared any details, what she knew about her neighbor. And then I remembered this was Sea Isle. Word spread quickly here.

“Invited him over for a cuppa a few times, but he was always too busy. A hard worker that one.”

“Have you seen anyone coming or going besides Mr. Jacks?” I asked.

She shook her head. “No. I cannae say he had many visitors over the years. I am a part of the neighborhood watch so I keep an eye on things, you know.”

I bet she did. We’d been on the doorstep for less than a minute before she came out.

“He was quiet, except for the occasional train whistle,” she said. “I had a word with him about that a few years ago. I’d only heard it occasionally after that and never after eightPMor so.”

“So, no visitors?” Ewan repeated.

“Let me see. Maybe, his business partner on occasion but not in some time. I remember asking about him. He was a handsome one, and Mr. Jacks said he was his business partner.

“Then there was his assistant who would occasionally drop by with files. Though, why he couldn’t walk across the street himself, I’ve no idea.”