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that Jack standing right behind me had been the object of Joey’s intense gaze.
    Elma continued, ‘We must do something of the same again, a concert perhaps, or the theatre.’
    She left me with a promise to meet for lunch. ‘That is, if you are not too busy.’
    I had not told her that I was a lady investigator.Was I ashamed to admit it or did I think such a bizarre occupation might decide her against furthering our friendship?
    Especially if she discussed it with her eminent husband: I could not imagine his approval. And how did she imagine a widow could afford Solomon’s Tower? Unless, of course, she had wrongfully decided that Vince gave me financial support.
    Again I noticed in these small discrepancies that Elma seemed sorely lacking in observation. Or perhaps the truth was that it was a quality of which I had a superior abundance; the result of my early education where, to while away tedious train journeys, I had been taught by Pappa to observe my fellow passengers and deduce from their clothes and luggage what had brought them on to this particular railway. Although it had seemed like a game then, I had to admit that it had contributed strongly to my desire to be a lady investigator and, indeed, had even helped in solving cases.
    Alone in the Tower, that night I thought about Jack, what he was doing back in Edinburgh and what had become of the young woman who had replaced me in his life. I shook my head; he was probably on a fleeting visit seeing old friends. He would be gone tomorrow, and after a two-year silence I was unlikely to ever know the truth.
    Did I really care? And the answer was, strangely, yes. Although I had never wanted to be married again I greatly treasured Jack, not only as a lover but as a friend and confidant.
    Never mind, the past was past. On with the future and, any day now, I would be receiving a call to take on a new case.
    And that, as fate would have it, was closer than I ever expected.

CHAPTER SIX
    The next morning, I opened the door to Jack Macmerry.
    I was taken aback by this visitor whom Thane rushed forward to greet. A delighted, tail-wagging welcome for an old friend.
    Responding warmly to this overture, Jack looked up from patting his head and said, ‘Aren’t you going to ask me in, Rose?’
    I blinked, apologised and stood aside. In his uniform Jack looked quite splendid, and although never handsome in the Irish way of Danny McQuinn with his black hair and blue eyes, Jack had a pleasing countenance: a strong face with the sandy colouring, the broad cheekbones and the sturdy build of the Lowland Scots.
    Following me into the kitchen, he laid aside his uniform cap and, rubbing his hands together in a familiar gesture, he grinned, ‘Well, aren’t you even going to offer me a cup of tea, after all this time?’ And amused at the discomfort I was unable to hide, helaughed. ‘Don’t just stand there with your mouth open, Rose, looking as if a ghost had walked in. After our brief meeting again last night, didn’t you expect me to come and see you?’
    ‘No, Jack. To be honest, I didn’t.’
    He regarded me slowly. ‘That’s scarcely flattering, is it?’
    ‘I should have thought we were well past the stage of flattering each other,’ I said sharply. ‘What are you doing here in Edinburgh, anyway? Visiting friends?’
    ‘Among other things,’ was the vague reply. ‘As a matter of fact, I’m here on business.’
    ‘Business?’
    ‘Yes, police business. I’m investigating a fraud which has Edinburgh connections.’ Again he hesitated, an uneasy glance, as if wishing to say more.
    ‘How long are you staying?’
    ‘As long as it takes to find some answers.’
    ‘So this is just a visit.’
    He grinned. ‘Try not to sound so relieved.’
    ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…’ As I poured him a cup of tea my thoughts were racing. ‘Tell me about yourself; what has been happening since we last met?’
    He sighed. ‘Quite a lot, Rose. Quite a lot.’ And looking