Page 57 of Death at a Scottish Halloween

“I think the estate sale people gave us a printout. We’re trying to sell it fast. I want to buy a flat in Edinburgh near the university. And before you ask, Da wants that for me as well.He has his own money. Doesn’t need mine.” She gave us a suspicious stare.

It was all I could do not to laugh. “As I said, we only want to look at the items. I can tell you the man died in Sea Isle; there’s no worry about anyone here being under suspicion.”

“Huh. OK. Let me get it.” She left for a few minutes, and there were noises as she rummaged around in the back of the house.

She returned with several sheets of printer paper stapled together. “Here it is. As you can see, she didn’t have much. A couple of barns full of old junk. And the farm equipment brought me some money. It’s the land people want. But the estate broker suggested I refresh the house first.”

“That’s wise,” Mara said. “New paint can make a world of difference.”

They chatted about paint colors while I went through the list.

The puzzle box wasn’t listed, but the medicinal kit with the bottles was.

“Do you know if you had any doctors or scientists in the family?”

She snorted. “Sorry. Not that I know of. Though Gran didn’t talk much about her family. Dad told me once they were a bit rough. Why do you ask?”

“Only that some of the items listed might have been used by a chemist or doctor back in the day. Like this medicine box.” I pointed to it.

She shrugged.

“Do you mind if I take some pictures? Just for future reference? I’d hate to bother you again.”

“Fine. Can I ask who it was? It’s just that I was curious about the things people bought. Like that medicine kit. Funny little man bought it. I was in front of the barn that day. Said his wife would love the old jars in it. He asked for a discount. I told them to take ten off it.”

And that may have led to his death. After I took the pictures, we left.

“She was not what I was expecting,” Jasper said.

“We all tend to assume things, don’t we? She’s just a young woman trying to sell her gran’s place. It’s shame they don’t want to keep it. The land is beautiful.”

“She can’t be more than twenty-five,” Mara said. “Can you imagine wanting to live all the way out here with no one around for miles? I mean, maybe, if you had a family. But it would get lonely.”

“Point well made,” I said.

The second stop wasn’t very useful. It was owned by an elderly woman who was moving into care. Her son wasn’t at all happy about our nosiness, but he did provide a list of items sold.

I took pictures again, and we left quickly.

The third stop was only a few miles away, but the house was an old stone lodge that had likely been part of a larger estate at one time. We were met at the door by a frazzled woman, who welcomed us into the lodge, which was filled with huge tapestries and fireplaces so tall we could have walked into them. She showed us to a study off the main room in the center of the house.

I explained who we were and what we were doing.

“I’m Dorrie, welcome. I was about to make tea, I’m gasping. Do you mind? I’d love the company. Come on to the back of the house.”

It seemed rude to say, no.

The kitchen and dining area were more modern. There were windows along the back wall and stainless appliances. The cabinets were painted a robin’s egg blue.

“Have a seat at the bench, I bought some biscuits earlier. Chocolate ones that I can’t wait to try.”

“Please don’t go to any trouble,” I said.

“It’s no bother. Like I said, I’m grateful for the company. My husband had to go into Edinburgh, and I’m not used to being out here on my own.”

“How did the lodge come to you? If you don’t mind my asking?”

She smiled at me. “My husband’s family. They own the big house up the hill, but no one can afford to keep that monstrosity going. The plan is to fix this place up a bit for a weekend house and keep our flat in town. He likes the idea of having a place to bring his friends when he’s home from the rigs.”