The Talisker Dead: A D.I. Duncan McAdam Mystery (The Misty Isle Book 3) by J M Dalgliesh

Author:J M Dalgliesh [Dalgliesh, J M]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hamilton Press
Published: 2024-01-14T00:00:00+00:00

Duncan stood in the office while the admin assistant called through to speak with Rona MacAllister, Callum’s head of year. Something about how the young lady’s eyes flicked up at him and away suggested she was uncomfortable with his presence, but he couldn’t think why.

“Miss MacAllister will be with you shortly, Detective Inspector,” she said having hung up the phone.

“Thank you,” Duncan said, smiling. She returned to her work but he couldn’t help but notice she was still glancing up at him on occasion while he slowly paced the room taking in the school photographs mounted on the wall. The photos went back for years and Duncan could see the change in fashions through hairstyles. The school uniform remained consistent, but short hair, to collar length and everything in between were on show. If he looked hard enough, he figured he’d find his own photo here somewhere.

He didn’t want to see that again. What a torrid time he’d had at high school, although much of it was down to his life beyond the school gates as opposed to within them.

He didn’t have long to wait before Rona walked into the office, acknowledging her colleague behind the desk and then smiling at Duncan and shaking his hand again.

“Back so soon, Detective Inspector?”

“Duncan will be fine,” he said, smiling back at her. “I was hoping to have another word with Callum Mcinnes, if you wouldn’t mind. I hate to interrupt the school day, but it is quite important.”

Rona glanced at her colleague and then sheepishly to Duncan. “I’m afraid you’ve had a wasted journey, Duncan.”

“Why? Is he on a field trip or something?” Duncan asked, surprised that they’d be journeying out in the current weather.

“No, Callum hasn’t been at school for the last two days.”

Duncan was surprised to hear that. “Is he… ill?”

“Apparently so, yes.” Rona took Duncan by the arm and guided him out of the office and into the corridor. Once they were alone, she glanced both ways to make sure she couldn’t be overheard. “Something doesn’t feel right though.”

“What is it?”

“Callum didn’t come into school yesterday, which isn’t unusual, children are often ill. You know how easily things spread through classrooms.”

“Did his parents call in?” Duncan asked.

“We have an automated system for reporting absences… and yes, the school was notified about Callum’s absence.” Rona frowned. “Only…”

Duncan was a little lost. He inclined his head, smiling. “Only what?”

“I saw Callum’s father, David, in the car park yesterday afternoon.” She glanced around nervously. “I spoke to him, asked him how Callum was and he… didn’t seem to know he was off sick. I think he was at the school to pick him up, you know, to save him from catching the bus.”

“Does he often collect him from school?”

“Occasionally, yes. I see him from time to time.”

“Perhaps there was just a moment of miscommunication at home,” Duncan said. “It happens.”

“Yes, I suppose so. It’s probably nothing,” Rona said.

“What do you think is going on?” Duncan asked.

She shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s just… the way he looked at me.

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