Page 59 of Death at a Scottish Halloween

“I can do one pint,” Jasper said.

“Sure.” There was no way I could go to sleep any time soon. I stuffed the papers into my bag. I wasn’t leaving evidence in my car.

It was late on a Tuesday, so the pub wasn’t too busy. Mara waved us over to our favorite corner booth. As we sat down, I noticed the first Duncan’s sister and Baird at a booth eating dinner.

“Is that the sister of the artist?” Jasper whispered as he followed my gaze.

I nodded.

Mara brought over three pints, and some chips, which were the shoestring type called French fries here in Scotland. Theywere salted with vinegar, and I could eat buckets of them. She moved her head to the side indicating she had seen Isobel and Baird.

“So much for spilling the tea about, uh, stuff,” Jasper said.

“I think we all need time to digest what we heard today, anyway,” I said.

“Any ideas on how it all fits together?” Mara kept her voice low.

“No. Like I said in the car, I have the facts. My brain just hasn’t put it together yet.”

“I’m still glad you let us go along with you,” Jasper said. “After watching all those mysteries together, I feel like our little crew is getting better with each case.”

I smiled. I loved that they felt like such a part of my work. I was about to say something, and Mara put her hand on my knee under the table. I glanced up at her and found Isobel and Baird standing at our table.

“We’re sorry to interrupt,” Isobel said.

I was surprised they hadn’t been banned from the pub, given the trouble Baird started. But then Mara had a soft spot for people who had lost loved ones. As did we all.

“It’s OK,” I said.

“I know you said you’d let us know when we could—I’m trying to make arrangements.” Her eyes watered and my heart hurt for her. “I wondered if you knew a day? We stopped by your office earlier, but Abigail said you were on a call.”

Abigail probably had more information about timing than I did. And she was still testing.

“If you come by tomorrow afternoon, I’ll have some answers for you. The last I checked we were still running more tests.”

Baird handed Isobel a tissue from his pocket. I was glad he was there for her. His temper the other day had worried me, but I probably wouldn’t keep my cool if I thought someone killed one of my friends.

“Do you have any idea who may have hurt him? There are so many rumors in this town. We know they were talking to his boss again. But I can’t believe … I just don’t understand why someone would kill him. I keep saying that, but I can’t get my head around the fact he’s gone.” Tears streamed down her cheeks.

“Everything you’re going through is absolutely normal when someone experiences this level of trauma. I wish I had more answers for you. I also know the Constable and his team are working diligently to find who did this.”

“Do you know if maybe they meant to kill the other Duncan?” Baird asked. “We heard more rumors about that, and we met his widow and daughter at your place. It’s weird, right? That they had the same name.” He was obviously confused.

“I’m sure the Constable explained that when we’re in the middle of an ongoing case like this, we have to be certain of all the facts. That takes time. I know it isn’t what you want to hear. When I was going through my husband’s sudden death, all I wanted was answers. It was torture waiting.”

“Oh. I’m sorry for your loss,” Isobel said. She really was a kind person.

“Thank you, but I only say that because I want you to know I understand how important finding out those answers is to you.”

“I don’t understand why there need to be so many tests. He was stabbed, right?” she asked.

“Yes. But we’re testing for DNA and other fibers. We’re much more thorough than you might expect for a small-town doctor.” I smiled as I said it.

“Thank you. I’m grateful for everything you’re doing. I’m sorry if we’re bugging you.”

I shook my head. “You are not bothering me. I understand. You two get some rest. I’m hoping I’ll have more answers for you tomorrow.”

“Have a good night,” Baird said as he guided her away. Then he turned back. “I apologized to your grandfather and grandmother, but I’m sorry for my temper,” he said to Mara. “No excuses. I was wrong to react that way. I—”