Murder at the Loch: An absolutely unputdownable Scottish cozy mystery novel (An Ally McKinley Mystery Book 2) by Dee MacDonald

Author:Dee MacDonald [MacDonald, Dee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bookouture
Published: 2025-03-03T00:00:00+00:00

NINETEEN

Hamish arrived on her doorstep the very next morning at nine o’clock.

‘I have a bit of a problem,’ he said.

Ally knew what he was going to say as she ushered him into the kitchen.

‘It’s to do with my cousins,’ he said, ‘at the Craigmonie Hotel. They’re causing problems.’

‘I know all about their problems at the Craigmonie, and no offence, Hamish,’ she said firmly, ‘but I do not want them here. Ross has kindly said that they could have one of his barns.’

‘Yes, Ross rang me this morning with the offer, and I put it to my cousins, but they flatly refused. They like to be looked after, you see, and I know I can depend on you to do a good job.’

‘Oh, Hamish…!’

‘They’re my responsibility – I know that,’ Hamish said sadly, gazing out of the window as he sat down. ‘The problem is Magda.’

‘Magda?’

‘She’s convinced that it was Randolph and Lavinia who poisoned Elena, and she’s terrified at the thought of them being anywhere near her.’

‘Perhaps Magda could move down here then?’ Ally asked, hoping he couldn’t hear the desperation in her voice.

‘Possibly,’ Hamish said with a sigh. ‘But I feel responsible for her, and she should be under my roof. She likes her new room, which you kindly arranged for her, and she’s become fond of the castle. She’s even become more friendly with Mrs Fraser and Mrs Jamieson, and I feel the very least I can do for Magda is keep her safe. Now she would like a dog and, in the meantime, she’s helping Angus out at the kennels. He says she’s very good with the dogs, and she’s happy when she’s there.’

Ally nodded but said nothing.

‘The thing is that Rigby wants the three of them to stay here in Locharran. I’d hoped he’d let them stay in either Fort William or Inverness, but no such luck.’

‘I hoped the same as you, but I really don’t want them here,’ Ally said firmly.

He stroked his beard. ‘They’ll only be here for bed and breakfast, and you wouldn’t have to bother with them for the rest of the day. Have you any bookings over the next few weeks?’

Ally shook her head. ‘It’s not that⁠—’

‘I know it’s not that,’ Hamish interjected, ‘and I know they’re not very nice people. But, Alison, I’m going to pay you top price for two rooms for them. Summer rates. For as long as it takes.’

There was no doubt about it, this was tempting. She had a few bookings over Christmas from relatives of families in the village, but otherwise the holiday season had come to a close. And she could do with some money to see her through the winter. But the Sinclairs?

Hamish had sensed her hesitation in replying. ‘Please, Alison!’

Ally recalled how kind Hamish had been to her since her arrival in Locharran, how hospitable he’d been. He’d even given her Flora, a free pedigree puppy! It would be churlish and ungrateful to refuse him a favour now. And particularly as she could do with the money.

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