Chapter 10
His call to the station was answered immediately by PC Alexander. Erling explained his reason for phoning and was told that the alarm had already been raised and the fire crew at Longhope called out.
‘They’re on their way to Lyrawa as we speak, sir.’
‘Keep me informed of any news that comes in,’ Erling said, already wondering about the area of the grave.
‘Will do, sir,’ the constable promised.
Attempting to open the car door, he found it almost whipped from his hand. If Langwell, standing on a much lower hill, was being buffeted like this, then the higher hills of Hoy were facing much worse.
Erling conjured up an image of the fire team trying to douse the blaze, even as the sparks were propelled by the wind. There were few trees on Hoy, and none at Lyrawa Bay, but the heather would burn regardless of any rain that had fallen during yesterday’s trip out there.
Head bowed against the wind, he descended the steps to the flagstone path that led to the front porch. Here was some shelter, and soon enough he’d unlocked the door and was immediately cradled inside the thick stone walls, the howl of the wind no longer obvious.
Flicking on the kitchen light, he set about filling the kettle, only to change his mind and decide to have a dram instead.
Heading for the sitting room, he reminded himself that while the small inset window facing towards Scapa Flow might allow the moonlight to enter, there was no way he could see further than the walled garden and the stone sheds beyond.
He was going to have to sit in the car to have any chance of viewing what was happening on the Hoy hills.
He’d just poured the dram, but hadn’t yet raised the glass to his lips, when his mobile lit up. Checking the screen, he saw that the call was from Magnus. If he was in residence at Seaview, which stood a stone’s throw from the jetty at Houton, he would have a good view of what was happening on Hoy.
‘Magnus,’ he answered. ‘I was just thinking about you.’
‘With regard to what’s happening over the water?’ Magnus’s rich, smooth tone was always calm, regardless of the circumstances.
Erling explained how he’d spotted it on his way home and called it in.
‘The fire team were already on their way to Lyrawa Bay by then,’ he said. ‘What does it look like to you now?’ he added.
‘Still worrying,’ Magnus said. ‘Although there’s no habitation in the surrounding area. So no threat to people or property. You can come down here and watch from the upper floor if you like,’ he said. ‘Better than being outside at Langwell.’
‘I was contemplating going back to sitting in the car,’ Erling admitted. ‘But Seaview is a better alternative.’
‘See you shortly, then,’ Magnus said.
Back in the car and heading for Houton, it was pretty obvious to him now that the fire was still travelling. He wondered if there were enough fire fighters on Hoy to cope.
At that point, he reminded himself that he wasn’t responsible, and that he had to trust the fire service to deal with the situation as they saw fit. If he was required in any way, someone would call him.
Parked now at Seaview, he exited the car, and for the first time could smell the smoke on the air. The front door being open, he headed inside and shouted to Magnus to warn him of his arrival.
‘Come on up,’ came the reply. ‘There’s a good view from the front room.’
Seaview’s walls were as thick as those at Langwell. Built in the last century by two fishermen, its foundations were below the high-water mark, because there the land was free. At its rear were the sheds for smoking fish and an ample jetty and small harbour where Magnus kept his boat.
Magnus was standing at the window, binoculars at the ready. ‘Come take a look,’ he offered.
‘I brought my own,’ Erling told him, waving his binoculars and making for the window.
It was just as he’d suspected on his way here. The fire had swept upwards, as though intent on cresting the hill. His thoughts went to Betty Corrigall’s much-visited grave. Not content with having her dug up twice already, it appeared fate had now decided to burn her out.
On a more positive note, it did look as though the fire had departed the area close to the derelict croft house. At that moment his mobile rang and he answered.
‘DI Flett?’ a voice said. ‘It’s Willie Halcro here from Longhope Fire Brigade.’
‘Willie, just watching from Houton. What’s the situation there now?’
‘The fire has been moving up the hill, but we’ll have it anchored shortly,’ he said. ‘Thought you should know we believe it was begun by the firing of the digger left here on the site of the Mowat croft.’
‘Someone set the digger alight?’ Erling said in astonishment.
‘Yes. Definitely arson. A team will be back tomorrow morning to investigate.’
‘Thanks, Willie. I’ll be over first thing. You sure you don’t need more men tonight?’
‘We’re fine here, thanks. The wind was the problem, but it’s dropping now.’
‘Good,’ Erling said, relieved.
Ringing off, he caught Magnus’s eye. ‘The wind’s dropping. They think they’ve got it under control.’
‘Also, the rain’s arrived,’ Magnus said, indicating the drops now pattering the window. ‘Let’s hope it’s heading for Hoy.’
Abandoning their stance at the window, they went downstairs, where Magnus set about making what he called a real pot of coffee.
No instant for him. Instead, a choreographed performance of choosing which beans he thought appropriate, followed by the enticing scent on grinding, through to the filled pot now sitting between them at the kitchen table.
It was worth the wait, Erling decided, as he took his first sip.
‘How long are you back for?’ he asked.
‘A week or so,’ Magnus told him.
‘Good,’ Erling said. ‘Have you heard what’s been happening on Hoy? Before the fire, that is?’
Magnus nodded. ‘My near neighbour told me all on my arrival. Not sure what was true and what was gossip,’ he added.
‘Try me,’ Erling encouraged.
‘Two bodies found at the old Mowat croft. Woman and child. Possibly wartime. Woven into the story was an eco-house, the death of Ivor Mowat and a family feud,’ he added with an inquisitive smile.
‘You’re pretty well up to date,’ Erling told him. ‘Although the call from Willie Halcro was to tell me the fire was arson, and began with the burning of the digger that had unearthed the coffin in the first place.’
Magnus contemplated all this before responding.
‘The digger, I take it, had been given the job of preparing the building site for this locally unpopular eco-house?’ he asked.
When Erling indicated the truth of this, Magnus continued. ‘So you have a possible historical murder case on your hands, plus now a case of arson?’ He gave a sympathetic smile.
Erling nodded. ‘In the first instance, I’d like to identify the victims and that will involve talking to someone about wartime Hoy.’
‘And that might be me?’ Magnus said.
‘It might be, if you have the time. And the inclination?’ Erling added hopefully.
‘This victim and her child?’ Magnus said. ‘You have evidence to indicate when she died?’
Erling confirmed this. ‘Plus we believe she was likely on Hoy with the workers associated with the troops stationed there. We also think her Christian name may have been Stella.’
‘And you discovered this how?’
‘Auld Mackie, neighbour of mine and pal to Ivor back in the day.’ He explained about the letter and his visit to Mackie’s place.
‘Also, my father’s been helping me put together a family tree of the Mowats, seeing as my grandfather Sandy and Ivor were best mates.
That’s where I was earlier tonight. Is that something you’d be interested in? ’
Magnus looked intrigued, as Erling had hoped he might be.
‘Okay, I’m in,’ he said finally.
‘Good.’ Erling smiled. ‘I’ll fetch what Tommy’s already done from the car. Hopefully you can expand and update where possible.’
As he drove home, he was pleased to see that the light on Hoy had gone out, which more than made up for the rain on the windscreen. He had only to hope that any rain falling on Hoy hadn’t destroyed the evidence of the arson attack Willie Halcro had seemed so certain about.