Page 86 of Death on a Scottish Train

Jasper blushed a bit. “I know some of you have met David, but I wanted to introduce him to the rest of you.”

I smiled. David owned a coffee shop and also supplied the free-trade beans that Jasper bought for his shop. They did make quite the handsome couple.

There was a chorus of hellos.

“How are you?” I asked.

David smiled. He had red hair and freckles, and he was quite handsome in his black tux. He’d been in a flannel shirt and jeans last time I saw him. He’d been at Jasper’s shop making a delivery, and we’d been introduced. Jasper had said they weren’t dating but they looked like a couple to me.

Everyone shook his hand.

“Ewan’s mom is the one who is throwing the event,” I said, “which is why we are all here.”

“She has very good taste,” he said. “Everything is quite elegant. I haven’t been to something like this in years. I wasn’t sure my tux would fit.”

“But you look grand,” Jasper added. And then he blushed again when he realized he’d said the words out loud.

“Um, we were heading toward the auction items,” Ewan said. “Would you like to join us?”

The auction items were on the other side of the ballroom, and it took some time to make it through the crowded room. Thankfully, Ewan kept to the edges. He seemed to remember that I wasn’t so fond of crowds.

There were several tables lined up against the far wall where the items for auction had been set up. Everything from artwork to trips abroad were displayed on the various tables. We all separated.

After picking up my auction number at the table where people checked in, I found several folk-art pieces from local artisans that I bid on, as well as a trip to Spain. I’d never been there, and it might be fun to warm up during the winter months if I won.

By the time we’d finished, it was time to find some nibbles as Mara called them. Off the ballroom in one of the dining areas, severaltables had been set up for people to sit down. The food was served banquet style, which I appreciated. I liked being able to pick and choose.

After grabbing an assortment that we would all share, we sat down at one of the tables on the far side. But in our direct path we could keep an eye on the accountant and his wife who seemed, once again, to be deep in conversation at the table next to ours.

They weren’t as angry looking as earlier, but still seemed tense.

“Isn’t that the partner of the man who died?” Mara asked.

“What man?” her date questioned.

Mara’s eyes went wide. “Oops, sorry, Em and Ewan. I wasn’t thinking.”

I nodded. “It’s OK.”

Ewan cleared his throat again. “We’re investigating a suspicious death of someone in our town,” he said. “As Mara said, that is the man’s business partner.”

“Is the woman his wife?” David asked.

Mara and I glanced at one another.

“Yes,” I said.

“What was that look?” David asked.

“We aren’t very good at keeping things under wraps are we,” I said. “No wonder you get so frustrated, Ewan.”

He chuckled. “If you don’t mind, I’d rather they didn’t think we’re spying on them,” he said.

“If I remember the gossip, she’s a bit of a social climber,” Mara said. “At least, that is what was going around the pub. She keeps a place in Edinburgh, and he prefers to stay in Sea Isle. His girlfriend has been staying in their summer cottage.”

“His girlfriend?” David said with surprise. “This sounds like one of my gran’s soap operas.”

Mara sighed. “Super sleuth, I’m not.” She turned to face Ewan and me. “Sorry.”