Page 82 of A Scottish Island Summer

Gabriel folded the letter again and stuffed it back into the envelope with little care. He pushed it back over the counter towards Campbell. ‘Sorry, but I can’t help. Whoever wrote this is pulling your leg.’

‘But…’

Gabriel ignored Campbell. ‘I’ve no idea who this idiot is that mentioned me. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to get on with my work. We’re very busy.’

The three of us lingered under the strips of pale lighting, but Gabriel turned his back and returned his attention to the stack of books on the table in front of him.

‘Come on,’ urged Campbell, once he realised Gabriel had no intention of speaking to us. He swiped a frustrated hand over the top of his unruly hair. ‘No point in hanging around here.’

The woman in the corner watched us leave and I gave her a fleeting smile, but she didn’t return it. Instead, she fired a brief glance in Gabriel’s direction before turning back to the computer and dropping her head.

Charming!

I thought everyone around here was supposed to be welcoming!

We stepped back out onto the pavement, blinking in the bright light.

‘That went well,’ I said.

‘He’s lying,’ ground out Campbell. ‘It was written all over that devious face of his.’

‘But why?’ asked Logan. ‘What’s he hiding?’

Behind me came a small but sudden cough.

The three of us whirled round in unison to see the slight, blonde woman who’d been working at one of the computer terminals inside the library.

‘I’m sorry,’ she said in a rush. ‘I couldn’t help but overhear just now.’ She took a few tentative steps forwards. ‘Campbell Adams?’

Campbell squinted at her. ‘Yes?’

Her corn blue eyes shone and a sudden blush of self-conscious colour shot up her neck as she stared at him a little too long. ‘I think I might be able to help you.’