Chapter 6 #2
‘I had more important things to do. And so did the lads. Did ye not know we had a break-in and that rifle taken? I had the police here for most of the day, so I went nowhere. Nowhere at all. And certainly not taking potshots at some bloody Canadian! I want that rifle back when they’re finished with it!
And let me tell you this – we save our skills for the deer and the rabbits,’ he added before turning on his heel and disappearing into the tractor shed.
Ally sighed as she and Flora made their way back home. The meeting had not been a great success, and it was obvious that Angus hadn’t the slightest intention of visiting the malthouse to console his wayward niece.
Flora gave an excited bark as she spied a rabbit, and Ally decided she was barking up the wrong tree.
When she got home, Ross phoned.
‘There’s been no end of trouble with getting this damned boiler fitted,’ he said.
‘What with bits missing, a pipe cracked and the plumber swearing. Just as well this cottage isn’t booked until the end of the month because it’s going to need some replastering and redecoration at the very least.’ He sighed.
‘I’m feeling worn out, so why don’t we go down to have a drink and something to eat at the Craigmonie tonight? ’
‘Great idea,’ Ally agreed.
‘I need to get away from the chaos here, and you need to get away from your stricken guests. How did you get on with Angus by the way?’
‘Waste of time – tell you later.’
‘See you around six, my lovely,’ he said.
After she finished the call, Ally made herself a cup of tea and sat down in the armchair. The house was warm, and Flora was already stretched out on the fireside rug, fast asleep. She felt weary too as she sipped her tea and relaxed.
The next thing she knew it was half past five. There was a hungry-looking dog waiting for her dinner on one side of the chair and a cold cup of tea on the other.
By the time Ross had parked up, at five past six, in his big, black Mercedes, Ally had had a quick shower and a change of clothing.
They decided to take a drink in the Craigmonie Bar first, as opposed to the hotel’s cocktail bar, before going into the restaurant.
This popular bar was manned by Ivan from Lithuania, his only help being a girl who went backward and forward to the main hotel kitchen to collect epicurean delights such as pies, sausage rolls and chips, greatly welcomed by the locals as they stopped off for a few pints of beer on their way home from work.
They’d be back later after what they called their ‘tea’ and would put the world to rights with a further few pints.
This group normally included Murdo and his two sons.
‘Ah,’ said Ivan, hastily placing his whisky glass under the bar. ‘Good to see you both. What can I get you?’
‘We’ll have two gin and tonics, please, Ivan,’ Ross said, ‘and make them doubles! And put another shot of Scotch in your glass!’
‘Thank you!’ Ivan retrieved his glass and did just that before he poured their drinks.
As he placed them on the counter, he said sadly, ‘The past few days have been so quiet, ever since the games.’ He pointed at a group huddled together in the far corner of the bar.
‘See them? They are from the television, the newspapers, and they hope, I think, that the Armstrong family will come in here for drinks maybe. But not yet.’ He turned to Ally. ‘Perhaps they do not drink?’
‘Yes, they do drink,’ Ally replied. ‘Certainly when they’re stressed.’ She recalled the evening after the games. ‘But they don’t seem to like going out.’ She pointed at the group in the corner. ‘Because of them. They’re avoiding the press.’ She and Ross clinked glasses as she took her first sip.
Ivan nodded. ‘They ask me where the family is. Why don’t they come out? Do they have something to hide?’
‘No idea,’ Ally said. ‘I’ve suggested they go for a walk, but…’ She shrugged.
‘Have the police been here a lot?’ Ross asked.
Ivan raised his eyes to heaven. ‘Oh yes. And they ask me over and over again the same questions. Where was I standing? Who was I with? I tell them that yes, I am watching this champion, but no, I’m not at the very front because I am with friends and I am putting on my sweater.
You know what else? That bullet went right by my ear too!
I am in shock! Then the police ask if it might be meant for me!
And then I get worried. Who would want to kill me?
’ He shook his head and uttered what might have been a Lithuanian swear word. ‘Who wants to shoot me?’ he repeated.
‘You can’t think of anyone, Ivan?’ Ally asked jokingly. But, of course, you never quite knew.
‘No, no,’ Ivan said, ‘because they like me here in the bar I think.’ He shook his head at the very idea.
‘It also had to be fired with great precision,’ Ross added, ‘and not hit the wrong person. Which makes sense, as the police think that the shooter was up on the hillside, hidden by the trees.’
‘You weren’t standing with the McConnachies then?’ Ally asked.
Ivan shook his head. ‘No, I am on my own with a couple of friends.’ He leaned across the bar, having taken a large gulp of his Scotch. ‘But I do not know one end of a rifle from another! That is the truth! I do not like guns!’ He pulled a face. ‘Unless they are in American westerns!’
Ally and Ross sat down with their drinks while Ivan dealt with a sudden influx of customers.
‘Do you think it’s at all possible you could shoot accurately if you were way over the alcohol limit?’ Ally asked.
‘I very much doubt it,’ Ross replied. ‘In any case, I don’t think it was Ivan who did it.’
‘Neither do I,’ Ally agreed.
Callum espied them as they crossed the reception area on their way to the restaurant.
‘I’ve got you a nice wee table by the window,’ he said as he ushered them in.
‘Thanks, Callum. How are you?’ Ally asked.
‘I’m OK,’ he said, ‘but feeling sorry for you being saddled with your unfortunate guests.’
‘Yes, they were booked in for a week, but I’ve no idea how long they will need to stay now. Good job I don’t have any further bookings this month and the rooms are free.’
As they sat down, Callum added, ‘I’m amazed the police haven’t made an arrest by now as it’s very obvious who did it.’
Both looked at him in surprise.
‘You know who did it?’ Ally asked, feeling a little excited.
Callum looked around to make sure that none of the other diners were eavesdropping. ‘Angus, of course,’ he replied.
Ally’s frisson of brief excitement took a plunge. ‘Oh, really?’ she said.
‘Why do you think it’s Angus?’ Ross asked.
‘No end of reasons,’ Callum said. ‘First of all, it’s well known he’s a fantastic crack shot, can shoot targets from miles away. Secondly, he’s got the key to the guns and could access them any time he fancied without anyone turning a hair.’
‘So why would he have to break in then?’ Ross asked, looking puzzled.
‘To make it seem like it was someone else,’ Callum replied. ‘And, thirdly, he was the wife’s uncle and, according to rumour, he never wanted her to marry Armstrong in the first place.’
‘But he said he wasn’t even at the games,’ Ally protested.
‘Of course he’d say that!’ Callum scoffed.
‘I believe the police were there most of the day, because of the rifle being stolen,’ Ross said.
Callum pulled a face. ‘Not all day.’
‘But why would he suddenly decide to kill Archie Armstrong after all this time?’ Ross asked. ‘They were married for the best part of twenty years, weren’t they?’
‘Because he finally had an ideal opportunity,’ Callum said. ‘He probably hoped his niece might decide to stay in Scotland with her daughters perhaps. He hasn’t got many relatives, you know.’ He grinned at them. ‘I’d put my money on Angus! Anyway, I must go now, so enjoy your meal!’
As they examined their menus, Ally’s brain was racing.
Callum’s remarks had provided food for thought.
Perhaps she should check up on Angus? His alibi had been that he was being questioned by the police about the break-in, but could he have got to the games before or afterwards?
Would Amir be able to confirm the time that Angus was actually being questioned?