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‘We can’t, we need the money,’ said Rob, flatly.
‘Is the insurance paid? Can we even feed the guests?’ Shona said. Detective Superintendent Munroe had offered her time off to be with Becca – should she
take it and look after the guests? It took a millisecond to realise how impractical that was. They’d need to bring someone in to cook and they couldn’t afford that. Her colleagues at Dumfries CID would likely have several cases of poisoning to investigate if she took charge in the kitchen.
‘Thing is, Shona, it’s not up to us,’ Rob said quietly.
‘What do you mean?’ Shona had the creeping sense that a wave was looming that she couldn’t see.
‘The interest rates on what’s owed are crippling. If those loans aren’t cleared quick, I’ll be declared insolvent.’
‘But you’re a banker, what do we do? Can you ask Sandy for a short-term loan?’
Rob shifted uncomfortably. ‘Already had one. Times are tight for him too. Anyway, I don’t see Caroline agreeing to any more.’ He came towards her and took her by the shoulders. ‘But don’t worry, Shona. I’m so grateful for your support. I’ll fix it, don’t worry.’ He was so earnest that she could see he really believed it himself. She shook herself free.
‘One thing you need to understand, Rob,’ she said, ‘is you need to complete your treatment and face up to your financial responsibilities, then we’ll talk about whether this marriage is working for both of us.’
Shona’s phone rang and she saw Murdo’s name. Rob was staring at her as if he couldn’t comprehend what she’d said.
‘I have to take this.’ Shona went into the utility room and closed the door.
Murdo’s voice was low and serious. ‘Really sorry about this, boss, but you need to get over here.’
Shona listened with a frown to the brief details. ‘Okay, I’m on my way.’ She picked up her jacket and car keys and went back into the kitchen. Rob was still standing where she’d left him. ‘I have to go. Can you keep an eye on Becca?’ For a moment he said nothing, then he nodded. She went out and started the car. As she backed out of the drive she caught a glimpse of Rob standing at the kitchen window watching her go.
* * *
Ravi was waiting by the kerb, barrier tape already strung across the gateway to the old Carmine industrial unit. ‘Murdo’s inside,’ he said, lifting the tape for her to duck underneath. Behind the chain-link fence that separated the two lots, Nathan Jones stood with his hands in his pockets and his habitual hang-dog expression on his face. Once he’d seen Shona arrive, he turned and shuffled back to his caravan and closed the door.
‘Is the body in the warehouse?’ Shona asked.
Ravi nodded. ‘Jones heard a car pull up around four a.m., two nights ago. Dark blue or black BMW, no plate.’
‘Why not just report it? What made him so keen to talk to me?’
‘Guilty conscience, I think. He now admits he saw a girl matching Isla’s description.’
‘Why did he wait to report this car?’
‘He was waiting to see if it came back. Apparently, he watched Isla through binoculars while she had sex in the car with an unknown male. Jones was worried he’d be labelled a peeping tom and be implicated in her death. I think he’s more concerned for his own skin now. Cars turning up again at night, him on his own.’
‘I’ll give him something to worry about. If we’d known any of this earlier…’ She bit her lip. ‘Get a statement off him. Give him a good shake, see what drops out.’
‘Think he’s involved?’
‘I doubt it, but he withheld evidence, so feel free to put the fear of God into him.’
The light was fading. A keen breeze blew off the Solway as she crunched across the scuffed tarmac and broken glass. She caught the smell of salt mixed with diesel and decay and fished a pair of blue latex gloves from her pocket. Murdo was standing just inside the roller door, shoulders hunched against the cold and damp.
‘Confident on the ID?’ Shona said.
Murdo pursed his lips and nodded. He pointed to the far corner of the unit and handed her the torch. She tucked it beneath her arm as she pulled on the gloves. The body was on the ground behind a low wall of crushed cardboard boxes. In the pool of torch-light he lay on his side, hands tucked between his knees, like a sleeping child overcome by tiredness mid-game and resting for a moment in a makeshift den. She nodded to Murdo, her voice caught by the pathetic sight. She swallowed. ‘Yes, it’s Jamie Buckland.’
Murdo walked out to Ravi and instructed him to chase up forensics. Now, the wheels of justice, whatever that might be for Buckland, would be set in motion. Shona turned back to the body and ran the torch around the scene. There was very little blood and nothing obvious to indicate how he’d died. She leaned closer, taking care not to disturb anything. He was facing towards her and she could see he’d been dead for some time. She looked for stab or gunshot wounds but could find none. Murdo came to stand beside her.
Shona shone the torch on Buckland’s hands. ‘Is that a ligature? Are his hands bound?’
Murdo leaned in close to her. He narrowed his eyes and nodded. ‘Could be.’
