Page 86 of The Secret Castle in the Highlands

He pulled up a library database site of newspapers from the 1800s. He rattled in a couple more passwords that allowed him entry into another section of the site. ‘It’s worth considering. Maybe we should widen the search? See if he appears in any of the more prestigious newspapers, seeing as he had a connection to the Lapley family through tutoring Oscar?’

He typed in Gideon Kelly’s name and pressed the ‘Enter’ key. ‘Here goes.’

The screen shimmered a few times, not in any hurry to part with revelations. But then it morphed from the ‘Home’ section into a yellowing series of pages from The Daily Herald & Times.

Mason jumped forward. ‘Look, Poppy.’

I followed the first article with interest, my attention snared by the neon-yellow highlighter capturing Gideon Kelly’s name. I read the contents and sank back against the sofa, optimism bubbling in my chest. ‘I’ve got a feeling this is another skeleton in the Lapley closet.’

I took a mouthful of coffee.

The first article featured an elaborate diary page that was dated 23 June 1793, which said, ‘It has been announced that Mr Gideon Kelly has been recruited to the post of music tutor to Master Oscar Lapley, of The Hawthorns estate, Port Starr.’

Mason scrolled down the screen onto the next article that referred to Gideon Kelly. It was dated 20 December 1800.

Congratulations are extended to Master Oscar Lapley, of The Hawthorns estate, Port Starr, who has achieved first place in the Scottish Violin Competition.

Upon receiving his award, fourteen-year-old Master Lapley paid a huge debt of gratitude to his former tutor, Mr Gideon Kelly, extolling his kindness, dedication and enthusiasm.

Indeed, Master Lapley credited his previous music tutor, a former member of the prestigious Rose Mount Royal Orchestra, for his success thus far.

The third mention of Gideon Kelly spoke of another success Oscar Lapley had six years later, when he was granted a place at the prestigious Glasgow Music School.

It is reported that Mr Oscar Lapley insisted that a party be held in honour of Mr Gideon Kelly, his former music tutor, to show his appreciation and heartfelt thanks.

There was a biography of Gideon Kelly in another section of that edition of the same paper, listing an impressive musical heritage, which included ancestors that played in some of Scotland’s most prestigious orchestras and even a distant cousin who was an official musician to Bonnie Prince Charlie.

‘One thing’s for sure,’ mused Mason, ‘Gideon had a positive effect on young Oscar.’

I savoured my coffee. ‘It sounds as though the boy really looked up to him and never forgot the impact he had on him and his music.’

Mason tapped the keyboard. ‘Let’s see what else there might be.’

We both expected another article to wing into view about him, but it didn’t. The only other mention of Gideon Kelly was in his obituary in the local paper.

Mason and I stared in disbelief at the screen.

I was incredulous. ‘Is that it?’

Mason’s eyebrows threatened to bolt into his hairline. ‘It seems to be. That’s very odd, considering he was employed by one of Port Starr’s most influential families and what he helped Oscar to achieve.’ He sat back against the sofa. ‘Gideon’s obituary should have been much more representative of his achievements and his role in the area than that.’ He flicked his hand at the screen. ‘Instead, he was only given this?’

I read over the brief mention of Gideon’s death.

‘The death has been announced of Mr Gideon Kelly. Born 3 February 1762. Died 6 June 1830.’

Darkness was feeding into Mason’s apartment now. He stood up and moved around the sitting room, flicking on table lamps. A vanilla glow splashed up the magnolia walls.

A crackling silence ensued, until Mason said, ‘I’ll put the kettle on again. Make a fresh pot of coffee.’

‘Thanks. That would be great.’ I nodded at the laptop screen. ‘I understand what you mean about Gideon’s obituary. It’s as if he’s gone from hero to zero.’

Mason wandered into the kitchen, saying, ‘Whoever this strange woman is that’s paying that young lad to deliver notes to you, she must want to get at the truth, too.’

‘Would you mind if I had a scroll through some of this information on your laptop, please, Mason?’

‘Sure thing,’ he called out from the kitchen. ‘Knock yourself out. I just hope I don’t discover you asleep from sheer boredom when I come back in.’

He was relaxed again, I acknowledged, now that we were talking about the research. I shook my head with confusion. One minute Mason was kissing me and then next, he was Mr Stand-offish. I tapped the ‘Return’ button. For something to do, I decided to enter Georgina Lapley’s name. That took me into another series of articles, which I read through.