Chapter 16
On his way to the health centre, Erling mulled over their conversation with Cathy McCue. Working in a care home, Cathy had undoubtedly seen the passing of many of its elderly inhabitants. So her concerns around Ivor’s death had to be taken seriously.
The fact that it had happened immediately prior to the much-anticipated arrival of his great-grandson seemed cruel in the extreme. Or perhaps rather fortuitous for the other members of the family, who were intent on challenging Ivor’s state of mind when he’d sold the Mowat land behind their backs.
Dr Liddell, he hoped, would put both his own concerns and those of the two women to rest regarding this.
Entering the car park, he spotted the doctor’s car and was pleased his visit wasn’t in vain.
Judging by the empty waiting room, today’s surgery was over, and checking in at reception he explained that he’d like to speak with Dr Liddell. Adding ‘on police business’, in case they thought it was regarding his own health.
Minutes later, the door to the doctor’s consulting room opened and he was invited to enter.
‘Inspector Flett,’ the doctor said, closing the door behind him. ‘I understand this isn’t a health call?’
Erling confirmed this. ‘I’m here to ask you about the recent death of Ivor Mowat.’
‘Ivor Mowat? The elderly gentleman at the care home, whose funeral took place recently?’ Dr Liddell checked, a look of concern on his face. ‘May I ask why?’
‘Cathy McCue, one of his carers, told me that there were no signs of a deteriorating condition prior to his death. In fact, he was as lively as ever and very keen to see his great-grandson who was due to arrive in Orkney.’
‘I didn’t know Mr Mowat personally. He was Dr Stewart’s patient until he retired. Let me check his medical record,’ Dr Liddell said, turning to his computer.
Erling waited as the doctor completed his search.
‘Right. It says here that on his last check-up by Dr Stewart, Mr Mowat was found to be in very good health for his age, although he was showing some evidence of memory loss and mobility issues.’
‘How long ago was that?’ Erling asked.
‘Just prior to me arriving in Orkney, so three months or thereabouts.’
‘And you weren’t called to Ivor at any time during the intervening period?’
‘No. I’ve visited the home a couple of times, once for a death and once for a case of flu. But never for Mr Mowat.’
‘So you had no reason to believe that Ivor was shortly to die?’
‘The home would have called me if there had been any worries on that score. But,’ he added, ‘Ivor was ninety-six.’
‘Can I ask what you wrote on the death certificate?’ Erling asked.
‘Cardiovascular degeneration, which is a catch-all term for the things that go wrong as we age.’
‘So not heart failure?’ Erling checked.
‘No, that term would no longer be permissible on a death certificate.’
‘When were you called out to the home exactly?’
‘Just before midnight, as I recall. One of the care home staff checked on Mr Mowat and didn’t like the look of him.
I was called and certified death. After which the body was bagged and taken to the hospital mortuary.
’ Noting Erling’s expression, he added, ‘You’re worried there was something irregular about his death? ’
‘I take it there wasn’t a post-mortem?’ Erling said.
‘There was no reason for one to be held.’
Erling gave a nod to this, conscious that the young doctor was becoming increasingly concerned about this line of questioning. He decided to change tack.
‘Hugh Mowat, Ivor’s eldest son, has indicated that he plans to countermand a sale of land his father made just prior to his death. A sale that the family were not made aware of. He maintains Ivor was not of sound mind when he did this.’
‘Is that the land on Hoy everyone’s talking about?’ the doctor said.
Erling confirmed this. ‘You may be called on to give evidence as to Ivor’s state of mind regarding this,’ he said.
‘Since Dr Stewart wrote the last health report on Ivor, he would be the one to ask about that.’ The relief in Dr Liddell’s voice was obvious. ‘Should it come to court, that is.’
Erling rose then and, thanking the doctor, said, ‘This may all go away, or not, but thank you for your time, Doctor.’
‘If it doesn’t go away?’
‘If we deem there are grounds for suspicion around Ivor’s death, then we will order an exhumation and a post-mortem.’
They shook hands again, before Erling said, ‘I trust you’re happy with your move to Orkney?’
Dr Liddell’s face relaxed into a smile. ‘I am, especially now that we’re heading into summer.’
‘Aye, if you survive the early part of the year here, you’ve likely got the constitution for island life,’ Erling said. ‘Thanks again for your help, Doctor.’
Back in his car, he made his call to Elspeth Crawford. Her answer was so swift he assumed that she’d been forewarned by Cathy. He was right.
‘Inspector Flett, Cathy told me you would call. It’s about Ivor’s death, I understand?’
‘It is,’ Erling confirmed.
‘I’d like to speak to you about it face to face. Can you come round to the house?’
When Erling confirmed this, she gave him her address.
‘I’m here on my own, so we have privacy to talk. I’ll expect you shortly.’ And with that she rang off.
There had been relief in her voice, he registered. Like Cathy, it seemed she’d been perturbed by Ivor’s sudden death. And if two of the women closest to Ivor in his last days felt unease about it, then, Erling decided, he had to pay attention to those concerns.
Elspeth lived east of the harbour in a pretty bungalow with a fine sea view from the sitting room window.
Ushering him in, she explained that her husband, Ronnie, was at work, so they could talk freely.
‘I’ve spoken to him about Ivor, but he thought my worries were unfounded. He kept reminding me that Ivor was ninety-six, as if I didn’t know that,’ she said firmly. ‘Anyway, what do you want to ask me?’
‘Tell me about the night he died,’ Erling said.
‘Well, when I arrived for work around six, he was out in the garden with the cat. Well wrapped up as always, although it was a fine soft evening. That cat’s a devil, you know.
Half wild and big and with a murderous intent towards the birds that come down to the bird table.
’ She paused, with the hint of a smile. ‘Ivor loved that cat and he was the only person that tomcat would permit to pet him.
‘Anyway, I coaxed Ivor inside for his evening meal, which he ate. Then he went to watch TV in his room. Sometime after that his son Hugh arrived. I realized this because I heard raised voices. Ivor was mighty angry about something. They both were. The door was shut and I didn’t eavesdrop.
’ She paused. ‘Maybe it was the argument that upset him so much that . . .’ She tailed off.
‘Did you see Ivor alive after that?’
‘I don’t know when his son left. I was busy with other residents. Putting them to bed, giving out their medications. Next time I passed Ivor’s room, the door was open just a little and the TV was on, so I thought all was well again. Ivor liked his telly.’
‘Did you go in?’ Erling said.
She shook her head. ‘I was on my way to see another resident. But I wish I had now. I was just pleased that he was back watching TV.’ She looked at him with tears in her eyes.
‘None of this is your fault,’ Erling said.
‘But if he was failing then, I could have called the doctor . . .’
Erling gave her a few moments before saying, ‘Tell me about when you found him.’
‘It was around eleven thirty. I was doing my rounds and I checked in on Ivor. He was lying on the bed and looked asleep, but there was something wrong. I could sense it. So I went for a closer look. I knew before I touched him that he was dead.’
‘And you called the doctor?’
‘I did. Dr Liddell came shortly afterwards. He confirmed Ivor’s death and called for an ambulance.’
‘Did you mention your concerns to him?’
She shook her head. ‘I was in a state, to be truthful, but the more I thought about it . . .’ She shook her head again.
‘I’ve worked there for ten years and death is no stranger to the place.
After all, it’s where people go to be cared for in the final years of their lives.
But this felt wrong,’ she said. ‘Definitely wrong.’
As he drove back along the shore road, Erling decided his next move would be to talk to the retired Dr Stewart, who had known Ivor Mowat the longest. After that, it would be time to question Hugh Mowat as to the reason for the argument with his father on the night Ivor had died.