Page 75 of Death at a Scottish Halloween

His father and Ewan sat in the waiting room.

“I’m sorry,” the dad said. “He isn’t a bad kid, but trouble seems to find him.”

Ewan had said that more than once to me.

“I thought moving here would end the troubles. I had a promotion on the rigs, and my wife wanted a new start here in Scotland. We wanted to give him a chance to be in a place far from the violence in London.” He put his hands on his head.

“Sounds like someone took advantage of him,” I said. “An adult offered him money.”

“But he knows better,” the father said. “What’s he doing taking money from a stranger? We should all be safe here.”

“You are,” I said. “Thanks to Ewan and his team of officers, Sea Isle is extremely safe. But no place is perfect.”

“We let him go off on his own that night because we didn’t see any harm at a small country fête. Only my son.”

I smiled. “Like you said, some of us are more likely to find trouble.”

“She knows what she’s talking about,” Ewan said under his breath.

“So what happens now?”

“He resisted arrest,” Ewan said.

The father shook his head again.

“But it depends on if the doc wants to press charges. It could be considered assault, what he did.”

“I’ll understand whatever you decide,” the father said.

“I have an idea,” I said. “I don’t think he’ll learn anything if we sweep it under the rug. But Ewan has several programs for youth. I’ll leave you two to discuss it. I need to get things ready to set that bone.”

An hour and half later, everyone left, except Abigail. “Tommy’s asleep in the guest room. Do you mind if I take the couch?”

“Of course not,” I said. I didn’t mention that Ewan had parked himself there for the last several nights.

“I know what he did to you was wrong, but I feel sorry for him,” she said. “His mother was furious with him. Do you know what the authorities will do to him?”

“I’m not pressing charges, but Ewan suggested a night in the cells. And he’s forcing the kid to do volunteer work at the church.”

She grinned. “Whatever Ewan has planned, it will help that boy,” she said.

“I agree. I wish he knew the woman. Who would do something like that? Is she a part of our current case? Or is she someone I made mad?”

“Who? You’re nice to everyone,” she said. “Your patients love you.”

“I’ve been wracking my brain. We haven’t had any difficult patients lately.”

“No. Like I said, they all adore you. I bet it has something to do with this case. The question she told him to ask you, that’s telling, right?”

“It is. Like she was hoping I might say something that would lead in some direction. I bet it was about the ring. But only a few of us know about it.”

“Who is involved with the case? You have Flora, but I know she was at the Inn with her daughter. Henry had to relieve Akif that night. There’s Isobel, but I can’t see her doing something like that. Why would she?”

“I agree. She’s so upset over her brother, but she doesn’t blame me. Though maybe I can ask for an alibi for last night. Ewan may know. But you’re right, I can’t see her doing that and for what reason? My brain hurts.”

“That’s understandable. It’s been a long day.” She yawned.

“I’ll get the blankets and pillows for you,” I said.