Page 31 of Death at a Scottish Halloween

Her head snapped back with surprise. “What?”

“So you didn’t know.”

She shook her head. “I know he sweated a great deal especially at night, and he was always thirsty. But we never thought anything of it. He always said he was a human heater. No offense, but he wasn’t a fan of doctors. I don’t ever remember him seeing one while we were married. He was always so healthy, not even a cold.”

He may have been sicker than they both knew for some time.

“Is that what killed him?” she asked. “The diabetes?”

“Like I said, we’re still testing.”

“Is that all?”

“While he was out at the estate sales, did he come across anything—interesting? Maybe he sent a picture or told you about one of his finds? And do you have any idea where he might have been staying?”

“He sent a few pictures of things he found. He did that whenever he wanted me to check provenance or value.”

“Can you send those to me?”

“Yes, of course. And as to your other question, no. If I had known where he stayed, I wouldn’t have been running around this town trying to find him. But he was cheap when he was traveling. He sometimes slept in his car or at a caravan park. He liked his creature comforts, but he also didn’t like spending money on hotel rooms. So, he may have rented a caravan or something. Can I go now? I really need to hug my daughter.”

“Yes,” Ewan said. “But we may have some follow-up questions later.”

She nodded.

They left.

As they did, Abigail came from the back where she’d been running labs. “I think I have something,” she said. “It’s trace but it might explain how he ended up here.” She pointed to the line.

“You tested for hemlock?”

“I tested for everything,” she said. “I always do when things aren’t definitive. But if he absorbed it through his skin, it might have caused hallucinations.”

“You’re right.”

“Anyone with a bit of sense would know not to have anything to do with it,” Ewan said.

“It may not have been in a recognizable form,” I said.

“What do you mean?”

“You said he hunted for antiques and treasures. It could be he picked something up that had the dried version in there. I wish we could find his things. I have a feeling our answers are in there.”

“It’s a priority,” Ewan said. “It’s an older vehicle, so no GPS to trace, but we’re hoping his phone can help us when we find it.”

“We need to find it,” I said. “Or, maybe that’s what this is about. Someone might have been looking for something he picked up. Maybe they stole his car and did something that scared him so bad he died. Before you say anything, I know it’s a reach.”

“But it’s something.” Ewan said. “You’re right. Maybe his things will give us the evidence we need.”

“He could be staying at one of those places with the yurts and cabins,” Abigail said. “Seems like every farm around here has them now. Good way to make money off the holiday tourists.”

“That’s a good point. I’ll get the team on it,” Ewan said. “And good work, both of you.”

“How about one of the bothies? It would be free,” I said.

“Most of them are a fair trek into the Highlands,” Ewan said. “But we’ll do a search.”

Tommy came in. “Done,” he said. “Washed my hands and put my tools away.”