The Dark Fear (13 page)

              Aiden shook his head. ‘None that I’ve ever come across. I found a hand grenade in the forest once, that was about fifteen years ago. We had to call the army out. But nothing’s turned up since.’

              Bob nodded. ‘Okay. I’ve got everything I need. Just tell me why it took your boss so long to report the trespassers? There’s not much we can do about it now.’

              ‘I expect he didn’t believe it was much to worry about. Just kids messing about with air rifles. By the time myself and Mr Irving returned to the main house, like you said, the boys would be long gone.’

              Bob frowned. It was unsatisfactory, but a charge of obstructing an inquiry would be time consuming and fruitless. ‘If anything else unusual happens on your property, you must ring the station immediately. We have a dangerous gunman on the loose in this area. Every piece of information is crucial.’

              ‘Of course, Detective Chief Inspector, if I’d known, then we’d have been in contact far sooner.’ Newton led the man towards the main entrance.

              ‘The story was plastered all over the local news,’ Bob muttered, almost to himself. But he allowed the estate manager to steer him towards his car.

              Bob Gordon drove along the windy path until he reached the lodge house which sat beside a set of huge, automated gates. He pulled up at the side and advanced towards the front door. James opened up before he’d even knocked.

              ‘Good morning sir,’ James began. ‘Dani told me you would be dropping by.’

              Bob was gratified to be invited to take a seat at a large kitchen table. He could also smell freshly brewed coffee.

              ‘Have you spoken with Aiden Newton?’

              ‘Aye, but he didn’t tell me much. His description of the men in the woods was about as vague as it’s possible to be.’

              James deposited a steaming mug in front of the detective. ‘I’m afraid I won’t be able to provide you with anything more. As soon as a shot was fired, I dived to the ground. All I saw was mud and leaves.’

              ‘Well, that’s what any normal person would do. Why Mr Newton decided to pursue the assailants through the forest beats me. They had perfect cover amongst those trees and could’ve taken a pot shot at him from anywhere.’

              ‘I think they approach things in a slightly different way on this estate.’

              ‘Yes, like they’re still the feudal lords and this is 1066.’ Bob sipped contentedly from the mug. ‘No offence intended towards you. Danielle tells me that you work in the city. You don’t actually have any links to the earl.’

              ‘No, but I like the community here. I realise it’s old fashioned. I suppose that was the lifestyle I bought into by taking on this place.’

              ‘It’s quiet and peaceful, I’ll say that much. Just tread a bit carefully with your new neighbours, Mr Irving.’

              ‘Why do you say that?’ James slipped into the chair opposite.

              ‘I had a glance through the records before I came out here today. This property has seen its fair share of action.’

              ‘I know that the house was used by the army during the war, if that’s what you mean.’ James gripped his mug a little tighter.

              Bob nodded. ‘Those were the first years in which the police became involved in the affairs of Langford Hall. Two boys from Seton died on the bents during a military exercise in 1943. Although it was wartime, the deaths were investigated fully by the Edinburgh Constabulary.

              It was a damp evening in April. The haar was down and visibility was poor. According to the captain in charge of the training, a group of his men saw the lads coming into shore off a boat. They called out several times for them to declare themselves. Apparently, the two figures just kept advancing across the sands, neither uttering a word. One of the soldiers shot them both dead.’

              James sat forward. ‘Did the soldiers think they were Germans?’

              ‘That was the story the military gave. I reckon someone panicked. The boys were only twelve and fourteen years of age. They’d been fishing for their father and veered off course in the fog. The soldiers on the beach must have become disorientated and fearful. I recall my father talking about it. He fought in the army himself but he always claimed that even though it was wartime, the boys’ deaths should have been treated as murder.’

              ‘David March never mentioned the incident when he gave us a talk about the military history of the Hall.’

              Bob raised his eyebrows. ‘I don’t expect he would. It’s not a tale you’d share with the tourists.’

              ‘He may not have known, of course. The Earl’s family spent the war in the Highlands.’

              ‘It was quite an infamous case at the time. My father lived in Haddington and he knew all about it. It’s refreshing to meet somebody with a trusting nature, Mr Irving. But believe you me, the Marchs will know all about the deaths of those boys. Now, I’d better get back to the station. I’ve got yet another dead end to report to my superiors.’

Chapter 24

T
he serious crime floor of the City and Borders’ headquarters seemed quiet.

              ‘I think they’re having a staff meeting,’ Andy supplied. ‘The foot soldiers are getting a bollocking from the DCC for the lack of progress on the Galloway murder.’

              ‘It’s hardly their fault,’ Dani replied. ‘The evidence is very thin on the ground.’

              Andy reached for his notes. ‘I’m fairly certain that Stuart Lamb’s son didn’t make the phone call to Alex Galloway on the night of the 14
^th
July. It’s looking increasingly as if it was Lamb himself.’

              ‘From talking to Jim Irving, it certainly seems that Galloway liked to have associates in useful places. If the guy had a top criminal advocate on side then I’d not be surprised if he had a top policeman too.’

              Andy sighed, leaning back and placing his hands behind his head. ‘It’s just that Stuart was so likeable and
normal.
I must be losing my touch, because I really believed him.’

              ‘I certainly don’t think DCI Lamb murdered Galloway. Somehow, I get the feeling his shooting has a more personal element to it. I’m going to keep digging into the death of his son. I can’t help sensing there’s a connection.’

              ‘But the teachers Galloway had sacked are out of the frame?’

              ‘Yes. My next approach is to track down this Rory kid – well,
man
now. I want to hear his account of the accident.’

              ‘Sharon Moffett says they’re interviewing Galloway’s family and business partners today. If you don’t mind, I’d like to give her and Bob a hand.’

              ‘Sure. That’s a very sensible course of action. Bob is definitely doing all the right things. Let’s hope his team manage to get a result from all their hard work.’

*

Dani had to set aside her research a little earlier than planned. She and James were invited to Langford Hall for dinner. The DCI was intrigued to meet the owners again. She decided the engagement might throw up some useful information.

              By the time Dani pulled up beside Oak Lodge, James was already standing in the kitchen in a suit and tie.

              ‘Are we dressing up for this?’ Dani flattened down her work blouse, straightening the pleats of her skirt.

              ‘You’ll be fine like that. I just don’t think the Marchs go in for the overly casual look.’ James gave her a swift kiss. ‘I’ll grab the wine and we can head off.’

*

Morrison showed them into the drawing room, where another couple were seated on the sofa, drinks in their hands.

              ‘Aiden,’ James exclaimed with a smile. ‘I didn’t know you were coming too?’

              The estate manage rose to his feet. ‘I’m glad you’re both here. I’ve been wanting to introduce my wife. This is Tilly.’

              A tall and slender woman, aged in her mid-thirties took a step towards Dani. Her hair was shoulder length and thick. Tilly’s red lips parted in a friendly grin. ‘You must be the Detective Chief Inspector. Aiden has mentioned you a lot, but I was starting to think you may not actually exist.’

              Dani laughed. ‘Like all police detectives, I work a lot.’

              David and Adele appeared in the doorway. The ladies naturally gravitated towards the sofas whilst the men stood stiffly by the towering windows, where the evening light was spilling onto the wooden floor.

              ‘James is looking much better than when I last saw him.’ Adele placed a glass of gin and tonic to her lips.

              Tilly furrowed her brow, indicating her puzzlement.

              ‘He had a fainting fit when we came for dinner a couple of weeks ago,’ Dani explained. ‘We climbed up one of the towers to observe the full moon. James has a morbid fear of heights.’

              ‘Goodness,’ Tilly said. ‘Like Jimmy Stewart’s character in ‘Vertigo’. Does that make you Kim Novak? After she dyed her hair dark, of course.’

              Dani chuckled, feeling she was beginning to like this woman. Adele simply looked non-plussed. ‘I’d prefer to consider myself as the Barbara Belle Geddes character in ‘Rear Window’ – the smart, modern working girl who adores from afar.’

              ‘I think you do yourself a disservice.’ Tilly finished the last mouthful of her drink. ‘You’re far more glamourous than that. Anyway, doesn’t Grace Kelly turn out to be the brave, clever one in the end?’

              ‘Actually, that’s true.’

              ‘Tilly is a librarian,’ Adele interrupted. ‘She works at one of the schools in Musselburgh.’

              ‘An Information Services Manager, to be exact. I deal with all forms of new media these days. Not just books.’

              ‘Does a knowledge of Alfred Hitchcock movies come into the job spec?’ Dani accepted a glass of white wine from Morrison, who was hovering around with a tray.

              ‘You’d be surprised what the students are interested in these days. Quite a few take Media Studies, so we have to hold all the classic films. But the kids like fantasy books right now. Game of Thrones has a lot to answer for.’

              ‘At least it gets them reading,’ Dani added.

              ‘It’s all changed since my children were at school.’ Adele led them into the dining room, which was tastefully lit by a series of candelabra. ‘My eldest was sponsored by the army. He was only allowed to take the more traditional subjects. When he graduated, Adam went straight into the officer corps.’

              They fell silent whilst Morrison served the first course.

              ‘Where did your son go to school?’ Dani asked.

              ‘Adam was at the Scott Academy in Edinburgh. Claudia attended the High School in Haddington.’

              Tilly Newton cleared her throat noisily, as if she was choking on the asparagus soup. Her husband shot her a stern glance.

              ‘We weren’t showing any preference between them,’ David inserted, good-naturedly. ‘Adam was in the junior RAF and he worked hard for his scholarship to the Academy. Claudia wanted to attend the local school. If you ever meet her, you’ll see why. Our daughter is very down to earth. She’s always been rather embarrassed about her father being an earl, albeit a relatively penniless one.’

              ‘I attended the Scott Academy.’ James set down his spoon. ‘I don’t recall your son?’

              ‘I expect Adam was a good few years below you,’ Adele explained. ‘It’s a wonderful institution. We were very pleased with it.’

              ‘Yes, I had a great time there.’ James smiled wistfully.

              ‘Your daughter sounds interesting,’ Tilly said. ‘Does she visit often?’

              Adele turned to her. ‘Claudia and her husband live in the Highlands with their children. We go up to visit at least once a month. She doesn’t come here quite so often. It isn’t an easy journey with the little ones.’

              ‘We’ve got another shooting party booked in for this weekend.’ Aiden addressed the whole group.

              Dani couldn’t help but feel he was attempting to close down their line of discussion.

              ‘Maybe I’ll come over to Glasgow and stay at your place, Dani,’ James announced, with a raise of an eyebrow.’

              ‘There’s no need for that.’ Aiden adopted an earnest tone. ‘We keep the guns very strictly under control. In fact, you can join us, if you wish?’

              ‘That’s very kind of you. I’ll definitely consider the invitation.’ James felt Dani nudging him with her arm. He wasn’t entirely sure if she wanted him to accept or decline the offer, so he said no more about it.

              After dinner, the group retired back to the drawing room, where the heavy curtains had been pulled across and coffee set out on the table by the fire.

              James settled into one of the armchairs, resting a cup and saucer in his lap. ‘I read an intriguing account the other day, when I was in Seton library.’              ‘Oh yes?’ David moved between them, filling cups from the silver pot.              

              ‘It seems there was another tragedy that befell Langford during the war. Other than the fire in the attic, I mean.’

              David dropped into a chair. His expression fixed. ‘You are referring to the young men in the fishing boat, I assume?’

              ‘What’s this?’ Tilly asked innocently. ‘Is there a juicy story that Aiden’s not told me about? He knows I enjoy a good yarn.’

              Aiden shrugged his shoulders. ‘I really don’t know much about it.’

              David March put down his cup. ‘It’s a very sad tale. My grandfather recounted the incident to us when we were teenagers. Two lads from the village were shot dead by the army. They were coming onto shore where they shouldn’t have been and were mistaken for German troops. It was one of those awful tragedies of wartime.’