Be Still My Bleating Heart (A Scottish Highland Mystery Book 4) by Hannah Reed

Author:Hannah Reed [Reed, Hannah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: D. B. Publishing
Published: 2019-09-09T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

We met in the early afternoon at the same table that Dallas, Brenda, Derrick, Morag, and the late-arriving doctor had occupied yesterday. This time, I maneuvered into the head position at the table with Vicki seated at my side. Whether or not I had the legal right to interrogate the group as a volunteer constable was a question for which I conveniently didn’t pursue an answer.

As to the inspector, I’d failed to notify him in case he wouldn’t view my plan in a positive light.

Everyone had agreed to the meeting. FOMO, I imagined.

After we’d ordered beverages and exchanged small talk for a suitable period of time, Dallas inquired about the doctor. “Where is he?”

“Dr. Teague is assisting with the investigation by responding to more inquires,” I replied, having anticipated the question and prepared for it.

“I knew it!” Brenda banged an open hand on the table. “He murdered Stuart!”

“That’s premature,” I answered. “He’s simply cooperating with the investigation.” There, was that vague enough?

“As we all have,” Morag said. “Please let this be done with soon. I’ve been warned tae remain in the village. I’d like tae be away from here as soon as I’m allowed tae leave. My holiday has turned into a jail sentence.”

“It isn’t pleasant for any of us to be suspects in a murder investigation,” Vicki said politely. “But we must make the most of it. The more we cooperate with the authorities, the sooner this will be over.”

“What do ye mean we?” Brenda asked Vicki. “Ye make it sound like yer a suspect as well, when we all know that ye and Eden alibied out very nicely, thanks tae that fiancé of yours.”

I could have mentioned that she and Derrick had done the same for each other. Instead I tried to appease everyone. “We all want the truth and we want justice for Stuart.”

Derrick leaned into the table. “Tae tell ye the truth, nobody especially liked McKay. He was stuck on himself, and had an adversarial disposition.”

“Aye,” his wife agreed. “He riled all with his harsh words.”

Morag leaned in as well, conspiratorially, “I hardly knew the man, but he didn’t make a good impression, that’s fer sure.”

“Time will rust the sharpest sword,” Derrick said.

“Time will consume the strongest cord,” said his wife.

Morag stared at the couple with a puzzled expression. “What are ye speakin’ of?”

“I’m not following, as well,” I agreed.

“Quotes from Sir Walter Scott,” Dallas informed us. “Classics.”

I was still confused by the bookshop owner’s explanation. “How does that apply to the murder of Stuart McKay?”

“The quotes are from Harold the Dauntless,” Dallas explained. “It was Scott’s last long verse narrative and he decided tae publish it anonymously. He was curious tae know if his critics would detect his hand in it.” She glanced at Brenda. “Honestly, I don’t understand the reference, either.”

“Again, what does that have to do with this?” I prompted, addressing the Findlays.

“Ye detected the doctor’s hand in this, didn’t ye?” Brenda attempted to explain. “A direct stab tae the heart with the skill o’ a medical professional and his dislike fer Stuart.

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