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long, he thought. It was surely a waste of police time, panicking so early over his disappearance.
    He was driving back along the waterfront when he saw Elspeth Grant. He screeched to a halt. ‘Want to come to the station for a cup of tea?’
    ‘Why?’
    ‘I’ve been a bit rude to you. But I’ve had other things on my mind.’
    Elspeth swung round in the direction of the police station. ‘Meet you there,’ she said over her shoulder.
    Hamish drove on. She was walking quickly, and by the time he had parked the Land Rover, she was waiting at the kitchen door.
    He unlocked the door and ushered her into the kitchen.
    ‘Any crime for me?’ asked Elspeth as Hamish plugged in the kettle, a recent purchase. The summer had been so warm that there had been little need to light the stove every day.
    Hamish told her about the insurance fraud. When he had finished, she asked, ‘Do you know when that will come up in court?’
    ‘I’ll find out for you. I’ve just been up to see Bella Comyn.’
    ‘Lochdubh’s dizzy blonde. What’s up with her?’
    ‘Her husband’s cleared off. Mind you, he only left this morning. He’ll probably be back. She claims he bullied and threatened her.’
    ‘I saw them at the Highland Games last year. He seemed besotted with her.’
    ‘I’m sure he’s all that. Maybe that’s why he keeps such a strong grip on her. Here’s your tea. Help yourself to milk and sugar.’
    ‘Why is Lugs pawing at my skirt?’
    ‘He likes tea a lot,’ said Hamish. ‘It’s unnatural in a dog. I give him some on his birthday and at Christmas.’
    Elspeth hooted with laughter. ‘You treat that dog like a bairn, but then the childless always do.’
    Hamish flushed with anger. ‘I’m getting a bit weary of your personal remarks, Elspeth.’
    ‘Sorry I think you ought to take another look at Stoyre.’
    ‘Why? Because you sense they’re frightened? I need facts.’
    ‘Well, there’s a Mr and Mrs Bain from Stoyre. They’ve moved into a cottage up the back.’
    ‘So?’
    ‘They seem scared and won’t talk about Stoyre.’ Elspeth brushed a stray lock of hair from her face. ‘Tell you what: let’s go together to a church service on Sunday.
Suss out the place.’
    ‘I may be busy,’ said Hamish loftily.
    ‘You’re just cross because I teased you about your dog. Come on, Hamish. Might be a laugh.’
    ‘All right,’ he said reluctantly. ‘The service is usually at eleven in the morning. I’ll pick you up at ten.’
    ‘Right you are, copper. I’d best be going.’
    She turned in the doorway and looked at him thoughtfully. Then she said, ‘If it were me, I wouldn’t believe a word Bella says.’
    ‘And what makes you say that?’
    She grinned. ‘Just a feeling.’
    Hamish went through to the police office after she had left and switched on his computer.
    After typing in a password, he typed in the name Bella Wilson. He stared at the screen. Bella Wilson of Donnel Street, Inverness, had been charged, aged thirteen, at the juvenile court, with
bullying one Aileen Hendry by repeatedly punching and kicking her. At age eighteen, she had been charged with hitting one Henry Cathcart on the head with a poker. Hamish leaned back in his chair
and scowled horribly. Sean was gone and Bella was in charge of the joint account. Where was Sean?
     
Chapter Three
    Come away, come away, death,
    And in sad cypress let me be laid;
    Fly away, fly away, breath;
    I am slain by a fair cruel maid.
    – William Shakespeare
    The next day, Hamish went up to talk to Bella. He heard her singing in the kitchen as he approached the front door. He knocked, and while he waited for her to answer, he turned
and looked around. There was no garden, just sheep-cropped turf and old rusting machinery. But over by the wall was a freshly dug patch of earth.
    Bella opened the door. Her hair was newly blonded and she looked fresh and pretty. ‘Have you found him?’ she asked.
    ‘Not yet. Can I come in?’
    ‘All right.’ She