Page 56 of Death at a Scottish Halloween

“That seems like …” Jasper didn’t finish his sentence.

“A leap. I know. But I think it’s worth a try. I don’t have anything else. We’re still waiting for DNA tests on some things to come back. But even then, we need answers.”

“We are well aware,” Mara said. “And you just tell us what you need us to do.”

“Moral support. At least for now. Let’s play it by ear. You guys are good at this.”

“We are,” Jasper said.

“You don’t think the actual killers will be there, do you?”

I wasn’t so sure about the answer to Mara’s question. “I don’t think so.”

“That does not make me feel very good.” Mara leaned forward.

“We should eat lunch. We only have a half hour before we get there. And, for the record, I have no plans to put your lives in danger. We’re just asking a few questions.”

A half-hour later, we pulled up in front of a quaint cottage. I don’t know why I’d been thinking it would be a place on par with Ewan’s estates. This was a small family home surrounded by farmland. There were a few cars in front of the house. At least someone might be around.

“OK. You guys can stay in the car if you want. If that makes you feel safer,” I said.

“Oh. No. You’re not going in without us,” Jasper said. “But in the future, we need badges too.”

I grinned. “Something to think about,” I said. “Everyone, look professional.”

They laughed.

I knocked on the door. There were footsteps inside and then the old wooden door creaked open. It was an eerie sound that put my nerves on edge. A young woman who couldn’t have been more than twenty-five appeared confused.

“You don’t look like the dunny diver?”

I glanced back at Mara for a translation. “Plumber,” she said.

I turned back to the young woman. “I’m Dr. McRoy. I’m looking into a sudden death of a man who was at the estate sale here on your farm.”

Her eyes went wide. Her red hair was braided in pigtails, and she wore a pair of overalls that were spattered with paint. “He died here?”

“No. Um, I can’t go into specifics as it is an ongoing case. I wondered if I could ask a few questions.”

“You’re American,” she said as if the world made no sense. I didn’t blame her.

“Yes. I work with the police in Sea Isle.”

“She helps to solve cases,” Jasper said behind me. “Could we come in?”

“I guess so,” she said.

“Are you the new owner?” I asked.

“It was left to me. I’ve been sparking it up a bit so I can sell it. Belonged to my gran, bless her heart. I don’t think it’s been updated in seventy years.”

We followed her into a small snug. The fire was lit and the furniture covered with many throws. The smell of paint was strong. “Would you like a cuppa?” she asked as she motioned to the sofa.

“We’re fine but thank you,” I said. “I don’t want to take too much of your time, so I’ll get to it. We’re looking for records of specific items the man bought from estate sales around here. You had a sale he attended, and I wondered if you might have some kind of record of those items up for sale.”

“Uh. I think so. My da was here helping me, and before you ask, he and gran didn’t get along. That’s why she left things to me, and he was OK with that. He didn’t hurt no one.”

“Oh, no. It’s nothing like that. We know he wasn’t injured here. We’re only looking for some sort of list of the items that were sold.”