Chapter 31
Having Cal with him would definitely have been easier. His intimidating stature would probably have been helpful. Jamie also suspected his London accent made people suspicious, but maybe he was being paranoid.
Either way, the first two doors he knocked on didn’t bring him great results.
The old woman directly opposite the Langfords seemed convinced he was trying to sell something, no matter how hard he assured her otherwise.
In the end she claimed her hearing aid was on the blink and she couldn’t hear him, then closed the door in his face.
The ginger-haired man opposite Trisha’s house impolitely informed Jamie that he wasn’t the neighbourhood watch and he could barely remember his own movements never mind anyone else’s.
He did, however, suggest that Jamie might want to ask his neighbour, who did have a video camera trained on his drive.
So that was where he went next.
“I’m on my way out,” the tall, bearded man told him, when Jamie explained he was looking for anyone who might have entered the Langfords’ property on Tuesday morning between around 7 and 9. “I can have a look later. Should I call you if I find anything?”
“That would be great.” Hastily, Jamie gave him his number and thanked him for his help. He continued for a few more houses, knocking on doors and getting similar unhelpful replies.
Jamie arrived at the Ship Inn half an hour before Heather had said she’d be there. Cal hadn’t been in touch, but he wasn’t too concerned about going it alone this time.
Pausing in the doorway, his gaze flicked overhead, to the dark wood beams which crossed the ceiling. The walls were dotted with framed pictures of local views, and the gaps between were filled with weathered oars and coils of rope.
The furniture was solid – hardy wooden tables with mismatched stools and chairs. As he approached the bar the distinctive scent of chips and battered fish drifted from the kitchen, making his mouth water.
The young barman commented on the weather before recommending a pale ale from a local brewery.
After taking a first sip at the bar, Jamie thanked him then crossed the room to tuck himself strategically in a quiet corner with a view of the entrance.
A hum of easy conversation filled the room, punctuated by the odd burst of laughter and the clink of cutlery.
Jamie sipped his pint and watched the door. A smug feeling of achievement bloomed in his chest when Amira walked in.
Now he knew who Heather was meeting, he’d love to know why. And why she didn’t want to tell her dad about it.
Amira got a beer and moved to a table near Jamie.
“Hi,” he said, leaning in her direction.
Her eyes widened. “Hi. How are you?”
“Fine, thanks. How are you?”
She shrugged. “Fine.”
He took a slow swig of his beer. “You didn’t mention the other day that the Langfords had fired you.”
“They didn’t.” She glanced at the door, then brought her drink and sat opposite him. “I wasn’t employed by them, so they couldn’t fire me. They no longer required my services.”
Jamie nodded. “Still, you didn’t mention that.”
“Why should I?”
“You also lied to us.”
“When?” she asked, features scrunched.
“You said you visited the Langfords on Monday evening to retrieve your scarf.”
“I did.”
“Okay. In that case Heather lied. Because she said you went over there because you needed a document signed. I was inclined to believe her story since yours didn’t ring true . . . not when you had an appointment the following morning and could have got your scarf then.”
She took a sudden interest in her beer.
“What are you hiding?” Jamie asked.
“Nothing.”
“I don’t believe you. And I don’t believe you got the times mixed up for your appointment on Monday morning. I think that was an excuse.”
Her eyes narrowed. “An excuse for what?”
“I’m not sure. What I do know is that you were at the Langfords’ house on Monday evening and there was some sort of argument which led to you losing your job with them. I also saw Heather shouting at you in the street this morning. It seemed you’d done something to upset her.”
“Quite the detective, aren’t you?” she said with an empty stare.
“Did you have something to do with Marguerite’s death?” Jamie asked quietly.
Her head jerked back. “What? No. Of course not. Why would you even ask that?”
“Because I know the banister rail didn’t just fall away. So I’m trying to figure out who might have wanted her dead.”
She put a hand over her mouth as a burst of laughter escaped her. A moment later she locked her gaze with his. “Oh, god. You’re serious?”
“Yes.”
She rubbed at the corner of her eye. “No one wanted her dead.”
“It would be easier for me to believe that if you could explain to me exactly what happened on Monday evening.”
She tilted her head back and exhaled a long breath. “You have to keep this to yourself,” she said and glanced furtively at the door.
“Not sure I can promise that. It depends on whether I think anyone else needs to know.”
She leaned on the table and lowered her voice.
“I was there on Monday morning looking for Heather. She wasn’t answering my calls and there was no answer at her flat in Dunbar, so I went to her parents’ place.
She’s there a lot since her mum’s op. When I still couldn’t track her down, I went back on Monday evening.
Except Heather didn’t want me there, so we had an argument. She shouted at me to leave.”
Jamie pressed a finger to his chin. “I’m confused. You argued with Heather and then Mr Langford fired you?”
“Heather told him Marguerite had improved so much that she didn’t need physio sessions anymore. And that Marguerite found the sessions distressing, so it was better to cancel them.”
“Was that true?”
She nodded. “Marguerite could be unpredictable, and impatient. The sessions had always been hard work, but recently they’d got worse. She was frustrated a lot, and would take it out on me.”
“And that’s what you and Heather argued about?”
“No.” Her eyes rolled slightly. “We argued because she wouldn’t tell her parents that we’re in a relationship.”
Jamie’s jaw fell slack. “You and Heather?”
“Yes. I got to know her through my sessions with Marguerite. Then we started hanging out socially. And then things escalated. Except previously she’s only had boyfriends.
She was scared of coming out. Especially to her parents.
I was patient with her at first, but after a while hiding our relationship got tedious.
I gave her an ultimatum and things kind of blew up.
That’s why she was avoiding me and I resorted to tracking her down at her parents’ place. ”
“Oh.”
She nodded. “Did you just happen to be here this evening?”
“No.” He grimaced. “I heard Heather on the phone, arranging to meet someone in the pub. She clearly didn’t want to tell her dad who she was meeting. I thought I’d check it out.”
“Now that you know, would you mind leaving? Heather will be here soon.”
He gulped down the remainder of his pint. “No problem. Good talking to you.”
“You can stop digging around,” she said. “Marguerite’s death was a tragic accident, that’s all.”
Jamie stood and pulled his jacket on before saying goodbye.
At least he had a few answers now. It didn’t feel overly helpful, but it was something.
Now he needed to figure out his next move.