Page 69 of Death on a Scottish Train

“They didn’t,” he said.

That was news to me. The front door had been open when we’d arrived the night before.

“They exited that way. But they came in through the kitchen window, which wasn’t locked.”

He pointed to the large window that overlooked the cemetery in the backyard. It had been stuffy in the kitchen earlier, and I’d forgotten to close it. As for the cemetery, I’d long ago come to terms with my fellow residents, who were dead. So much so, that I often forgot they were out there.

“The window hadn’t been locked?” Abigail asked.

I pursed my lips. Then I sighed.

They turned toward me.

“It was stuffy in here yesterday even though it was cool outside.” The AGA stove was always on, which was great in the winter but could make it too toasty in the summer months.

“I think I shut it before I left last night, but I must have forgotten to lock it. Sorry. I’ll be more careful in the future.”

They both looked at me with disappointment.

I wanted to say people make mistakes, but I knew better. I should have locked the window.

“Garden,” Tommy said. He’d been so quiet I’d forgotten he was standing there. He handed his headphones and game to his sister and then bolted out the back door.

I smiled. He didn’t like any sort of drama or confrontation. I didn’t blame him. I was about to bow out with my own exit.

“I’m starving and need a full Scottish. Do you want me to bring something back from the pub for either of you?”

He shook his head. “I’m going. I’ll give you a ride down the hill. Henry is five minutes out.” He turned back to Abigail. “Again, he’ll be working from your office today, if that’s OK.”

Her cheeks turned a dark pink. “I’ll make a place for him,” she said and then cleared her throat. “When they open the autopsy suite, he and I can go through the evidence we collected and bundle it up for you to have at the station,” she continued. “I was already going to do that today. We should also have all the DNA tests back in the next twenty-four hours.

“Ewan, you might be able to rush the ones I sent to Edinburgh along.”

He nodded.

I loved this bossy side of Abigail. It didn’t come out too often, but she had blossomed over the last year and was much more confident. It was a lovely thing to behold—even if she was bossing me around as well.

The ride down the hill with Ewan was a short one.

“Thanks,” I said, as I went to open the door.

“Wait,” he said, and then jumped out of the SUV. When he came around to my side, he opened the door. “There is something I need to ask you.”

“About the case?” I couldn’t imagine there was anything we hadn’t already discussed.

“No. Uh.” He never stammered over his words.

“What is it? Is something wrong? Are you feeling OK?”

“I’m fine. It is nothing like that.”

Then he just stood there with the most uncomfortable look on his face.

“We sometimes disagree, but you know you can tell me anything,” I said softly.

Something seemed to be troubling him in a big way, and he was nervous. I’d never seen him like this.

He took a deep breath. “Right. I need a date for a gala my mother is throwing on Friday night. I wondered if you might come with me.”