Chapter 62
FIFE
A week later
‘It’s been a long time since I was in Anstruther,’ Ruth said.
‘It’s beautiful here,’ Laura said. Ruth held on to her arm as they walked along past the harbour, eating their ice cream cones from a shop called Scoop.
‘Let’s have a seat.’
They sat down, Brodie joining them.
‘What’s going to happen to Ted Carr?’ Laura asked.
‘He’ll be charged with murder,’ Brodie answered, ‘but his lawyer will talk with the procurator fiscal and see what he can do. Mitigating circumstances, the amount of time that has passed, will all be taken into consideration. He might end up getting probation.’
Laura nodded. ‘He saved me and Ruth both. Ruth was too young for Toby, but when she was older, she would have got the same treatment. I should have stabbed him.’
‘Don’t say that,’ Ruth said, putting a hand on hers.
‘When Ted talked about killing Toby, I didn’t feel shock, just a sense of relief. If that makes sense?’
‘As a psychiatrist, yes, it makes perfect sense. It’s not like you’re a mass murderer.’
‘I know I acted up a lot when I was growing up, but my anger was directed at Margaret’s lack of action when it came to her husband. But she was sleeping with Rory Farmington, so she didn’t care.’
‘It’s over now, Laura. We can only learn from our mistakes.’
Laura nodded and licked more of her ice cream. ‘I’ve decided I’m going to move away from Fife,’ she said at last.
‘Really? Where are you going to move to?’ Brodie said.
‘London, I think. It’s far away from here, but I can hop on a shuttle when I want to visit.’
‘What will you do for work?’ Ruth asked.
‘I’ve got a job lined up in a hospital as an administrator. Nothing exciting, but it will pay the bills. I’ve rented a room until I get on my feet.’
‘Keep in touch,’ Ruth said.
‘I will.’
They finished their ice cream and stood up.
‘I’m parked along that way,’ she said.
‘We’re at the far end,’ Brodie said.
Laura hugged them and walked away, Brodie and Ruth walking in the opposite direction.
It was a beautiful day, the sea calm and the view across to East Lothian unhindered. Brodie loved the smell of the salt air and stood for a few moments, inhaling it. Ruth held on to his arm before they turned and got into the car.
‘Do you think you’ll ever see her again?’ Brodie asked, starting up the engine.
‘No.’
They drove back to Edinburgh, connecting with the A982. ‘What’s happening with Alan McRae?’ Ruth asked. ‘Any sign of him?’
Brodie shook his head. ‘Art McKenzie will keep on looking. That’s a good team in Glenrothes.’
‘If they have another major case, you know they’ll put you back here.’
‘I know,’ Brodie answered. He could think of worse things that could happen.