Page 6 of Death at a Scottish Halloween

Isobel turned away from Baird. “What? He was murdered? No. That isn’t possible.”

“I’m following up on all angles,” Ewan said. “Whenever someone dies suddenly, and suspiciously, it’s procedure.” Even though it was more than obvious the man was murdered, Ewan had to be careful.

Most people wouldn’t stab themselves in the heart. But the less others knew about our investigation, the better.

“I can’t think of anyone,” Baird said. “You knew him. He was pretty easy going. He’s only been back for a few weeks. He’d been doing a long run on the rig because we’re short-handed. He’d been busy getting ready to show his work at the fête. I just don’t understand any of this.”

Isobel sobbed for a few minutes.

Ewan and I waited patiently.

When she stopped, she hiccupped a bit. “I’m sorry. It so … It’s a bad dream. Right? A really bad dream.”

“I’m sorry, Isobel,” Ewan said gently. “Is there anything you can share? Anyone who might have wanted to cause your brother harm?”

“No. I mean, I don’t know. I live in Edinburgh. I was only staying with him here in Sea Isle to get ready for the art show and to work on the haunted house. We’ve been having fun the last few days. Reconnecting.” She sobbed. “It was like old times before Ma and Da died, and we went our separate ways. It has been a few years since we’ve spent more than dinner together.”

“Were you fighting about something?” Ewan asked.

“No. Nothing like that. You can’t think I would ever hurt him. I loved him. But we have our own lives. He misses most of the holidays out on the rig. He likes the holiday pay. And I’ve created a family of friends at home to keep me company.”

I understood that better than most. My friends in Sea Isle were more like family to me than anyone else. Not that I had any family left. We all looked out for one another and spent our birthdays and holidays together. Even though I’d only lived here for a little over a year, I didn’t know how I’d survive without them.

“Baird, you mentioned the rig. Did he have a falling out with anyone there?”

The man shrugged. “It can be intense out there,” he said.

“And?” Ewan encouraged.

“Sometimes you end up arguing over dumb things. Especially when everyone is pulling three times their normal duties. It’s exhausting. If it didn’t pay so well, I would have given it up long ago.”

“It sounds like maybe there was trouble,” I said softly.

Ewan nodded.

Baird blew out a breath. “There are a few people in management he butted heads with out there. He’s a perfectionist, and it’s his job, I mean was, to keep everyone safe. He chipped in when needed, but he was all about safety. Some guys don’t like being told what to do.”

“I’d like some names,” Ewan said.

“Manager Robert McClendon for one. He and his men never follow the rules.”

“What men?”

Baird blew out a breath. “Garret McDonald, Allan Fraser, Michael Drummond were written up recently. They are OK blokes, but I remember Duncan saying they had made some mistakes. Michael lost a finger messing around. Duncan was angry. He …”

“What?” Ewan encouraged.

“Robert was there tonight with his men. At least, I think it was them. They wore costumes. They came with one of the early groups.”

“If they wore costumes, how do you know it was them?” I asked.

“McClendon’s voice. He made a comment about Duncan’s nose. Duncan stared but didn’t say anything. Probably, because there were kids in the group. I know Michael was with him because his hand is still bandaged from the accident.”

“Do you know what time that was, exactly?”

“I don’t,” he said. “Just that it was earlier before the bigger crowds came through.”

“Did either of you see anyone else that might be suspicious?”