The Cuillin Dead: A D.I. Duncan McAdam Mystery (The Misty Isle Book 4) by J M Dalgliesh

Author:J M Dalgliesh [Dalgliesh, J M]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hamilton Press
Published: 2024-06-29T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Alistair slowed his pick-up down as they entered the gates of the Maelrubha Estate, flagged down by PC Ronnie Macdonald whose turn it was to be the police presence. "How are you, Ronnie?" Alistair asked.

"Aye, I've had better days," he said glumly. He turned his face to the heavens and wrinkled his nose. "I'm hoping the rain holds off. I don't want to be sitting in the car all day."

"It's a tough life, Ronaldo," Alistair said with a smile. He nodded towards the office building nearby. "What's the craic?"

"Your man Brennan arrived back about ten minutes ago. He wasn't a happy camper."

"No, I get that."

Ronnie pointed towards the accommodation building where Alistair and Duncan were heading. "I think you should brace yourselves."

"What for?" Alistair asked.

Ronnie shook his head. "There's been a new arrival, and he stinks."

"What do you mean?" Duncan asked, looking over.

"He's driving a Bentley, wearing a sharp suit… he's got bureaucratic nightmare written all over him. And… er… he's said if I'm going to be here, then I'm instructed to remain at the entrance here."

"Oh," Alistair said, "does he, aye?"

Duncan looked towards the house, seeing a Bentley parked apart from the other vehicles. "Who do you think he is?"

Ronnie shrugged. "I have the distinct impression he doesn't like the polis much. He barely gave me the time of day."

"Nah… maybe he's just met you before," Alistair said, smiling at him as he depressed the accelerator, slowly moving away.

"Aye, nothing but respect for you too, Alistair," Ronnie said, smiling, but they didn't see or hear him.

They drove up the drive, past the office buildings which seemed unoccupied today. Perhaps it was the detention of Alex Brennan or the police activity of the morning search which had driven people to either stay out of the way or maybe take an early finish.

They parked the pick-up and Alistair switched off the engine but Duncan stopped him as he cracked the door open. "Hang on a second," Duncan said, dialling a number on his phone. "Hey Angus, it's me. Do me a quick favour, would you?"

"Yes, sir. What do you need?"

"Run this registration plate for me," he said, reading out the Bentley's number plate. Duncan glanced sideways at Alistair and his DS nodded.

"I'll bet you a tenner it belongs to a lawyer," he said. Duncan smiled. "An expensive one at that." Angus relayed the details and Duncan thanked him before hanging up and clambering out of the vehicle, making their way to the communal entrance.

Once inside the building, they found themselves in a double-height, vaulted lobby. At the far end was a reception desk, probably staffed when they had different parties occupying the accommodation, but Tony Sinclair's group had free run of all the rooms available, so the desk was empty. At the centre of the lobby was a seating area, leather sofas and chairs set out before a large wood burner, the flue rising up to the roof far above.

Duncan was surprised to find every member of Sinclair's group sitting there.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.