Page 111 of The Secret Castle in the Highlands

Mason let out a dry laugh. ‘No wonder he was so bloody fascinated with the whole story. He wanted to know all he could in order to pass off Augustus Lapley as the saviour of Port Starr’s poor and needy.’

Mason turned to the crowd. ‘That’s why he returned here. Alex Lapley and his father, Roger, are in dire financial straits. They must’ve been worried if they couldn’t continue contributing to McKerron Castle, Mrs Compton would then reveal the truth.’

I nodded in agreement. ‘And he didn’t care if it meant me losing my business, just so he could turn Port Starr into some sort of shrine to that crooked ancestor of his and pocket the proceeds.’

Eliza pinned Alex Lapley with a scornful glare.

Images of someone like Augustus being regarded as a dashing and moral hero made me fume.

David Telfer plucked a page of notes from his jacket pocket, his voice ringing out across the heads of the Port Starr locals. ‘You should pay more attention to the accreditation of so-called professionals, Mr Lapley.’

Alex set his shoulders in defiance. ‘What are you talking about? And who the hell are you, again?’

David introduced himself once more. ‘Our legal team at Historic Heritage have been looking into your affairs since Poppy flagged up her concerns to us.’

There were murmurings amongst the crowd.

‘And it transpires that Shadow Land Holdings was set up by your family solicitor, Richard Askew, is that right?’

Alex Lapley fidgeted with his tie. ‘Are you asking me or telling me?’

David Telfer looked triumphant. ‘I take it neither you nor the rest of the family knew that Mr Askew was struck off as a solicitor for harassment of a work colleague, around twenty years ago?’

I watched Alex’s chin jut further out from his face. ‘Yes, we did know about that unfortunate chain of events, but Richard was reinstated as a solicitor ten years ago.’

David shook his side-swept brown hair. ‘Did he tell you that, Mr Lapley? Because that isn’t true.’

There were excited gasps from the crowd. Mason and I stared at each other. David Telfer remained at the microphone just a few feet in front of us.

‘Mr Askew was never reinstated as a solicitor, because he never reapplied to have the decision re-examined.’

The two teenage boys who were keeping their wary eyes on Alex, gloated at him.

Alex’s face contorted into frustrated rage. ‘That’s a lie! That Summers lot have put you up to this.’

David regarded him with calm disdain. He glanced at Maisie, who gave him an encouraging nod and wide smile. He became more emboldened. ‘If you don’t believe me, I suggest you contact The Law Society for confirmation. I have a contact and telephone number I can give you.’

I watched with delight as David plucked a business card from the inside pocket of his jacket. ‘So this means that underhand clause you had put in the cottages contract years ago, the one stating that if any evidence were to come to light regarding the Scarlet Highwayman’s true identity or his innocence, you could lay claim again to the cottages—’ David grinned through a slash of white teeth ‘—well, it’s not legal, because Mr Askew was struck off at the time. This was a renewal contract sent ten years ago.’ He proceeded to fold his notes and stuff them back inside his jacket. ‘It isn’t worth the paper it’s written on – literally.’

Alex erupted. ‘That sodding idiot! The conniving bastard! He took our money for nothing.’

My hands reached for Mason, and he furled his fingers around mine for a quick squeeze. It was over. The lies and deception that Alex Lapley had been involved in were unravelling around him.

I dashed towards David and planted a big kiss on his surprised cheek. ‘Thank you so much!’

David blushed and tried to brush off my gratitude. Then there was a commotion in the crowd.

Alex Lapley let out a hysterical moan, before making a desperate attempt to push past the two teenage boys. He elbowed the first lad to one side, but the other snatched his shoulder, restraining him in a vice-like grip.

Mason stepped down from the platform and approached a red-faced Alex. ‘Now you’ve got attempted fraud to add to your list of misdemeanours. I’m sure Augustus would be very proud.’

The two lads marched a wriggling Alex through the parting crowd until he was well away from the gathering to a chorus of juicy swear words and goading jeers.

‘Well, what now?’ breathed an elderly lady to her husband. ‘I don’t know if I can take any more excitement today.’

I watched the couple take off, deep in animated conversation, and then headed back towards Mason.

David Telfer was hovering close by and chose that moment to approach Maisie with a shy smile. ‘Is it always like this round here?’