Journeyman

by Heather Atkinson

  “You sure you’re up to this Dad?” Damon asked him.

  “Ask me that again boy and you’ll get my crutch up your backside.”

  “That’s a yes then,” he grinned, glaring at Luke when he chuckled.

  One Eye and Raven looked up when they heard the caw overhead.

  “Danger is still near,” she said as she watched the ravens dance together. “And you’re certain these deaths are nothing to do with Silas or his friends?”

  “Absolutely,” said One Eye. “The killer is yet to be revealed.”

  “Life is never dull around you,” she smiled.

  “Oh good. If it was it would denote a huge lack of imagination on my part,” he replied, making her laugh.

  The atmosphere in the pub was rather festive to say they’d all just attended the memorial of two of their friends, however the alcohol had been flowing since the bonfire started and several villagers were well on their way to being drunk. The frivolity died when the door opened to reveal One Eye. They hadn’t expected him to show his face here.

  Naturally Duncan was the first to step forward, puce with outrage and too much drink. “You’ve got some nerve.”

  “I’ve nothing to be ashamed of,” retorted One Eye. “I didn’t kill Bess or Frederick.”

  “Your ankle hurting you again Nik? Is that because you snuck up on poor Frederick and stabbed him in the back?”

  “No. It’s because I tripped up in the B&B and twisted the joint again.”

  “I’ll twist your fucking joints,” he growled, advancing on him.

  One Eye was merely amused. After facing Silas and his friends this fool was hardly intimidating.

  Duncan came to a halt when Damon walked in. He stood beside his father, towering over Duncan, a rare experience for the ruddy-faced farmer.

  “What the fuck did you say to my dad?” growled Damon.

  Duncan swallowed down his reticence, not wanting to lose face in front of the rest of the villagers. “I think it’s suspicious that he hurts his ankle again just as Frederick dies.”

  “Why?”

  “I…I don’t know but I’m sure there’s a reason.”

  Connell and Campbell, who had been watching proceedings from the bar, decided to intervene.

  “What’s this?” announced Campbell. “Dad?” He said, looking from One Eye to Damon, the latter still glaring at Duncan.

  “Meet my son Damon,” said One Eye. “And my daughter Raven and her husband Aidan.”

  “So you do have children,” said Connell. “I knew it.” His smug grin fell when Campbell threw him a silencing look.

  “Apparently they’ve been searching the island for me,” said One Eye. “And finally they found me here. Thanks to them I finally remember who I am.”

  “And who is that?” said Campbell.

  “A retired businessman from Leeds,” he smiled. “Hardly the mass murdering type.”

  “Our dad didn’t hurt anyone,” snarled Damon, keeping his glare on Duncan, ignoring the police officers. “And if anyone says different they can deal with me.”

  “Now, now,” said Campbell. “We’ll have no violence in here. I suggest everyone takes a seat, has a drink and cools off. Okay?” he said, giving Duncan a meaningful look.

  Alan ushered them all to his table where sat Saskia, Helen, Simon and a despondent Cherie.

  Before Damon, Aidan and Raven could join One Eye at Alan’s table, Campbell put out a hand to stop them. “You three look rather beat up.”

  “We had a little accident on the way here,” replied Raven.

  “Car accident?”

  She nodded.

  “Did you call it in?”

  “There was no point. We were fine, we didn’t cause any damage and no one else was involved. The road was wet and the car skidded a little, catching a wall.”

  “That surprises me because they look like some pretty serious bruises. Where did this accident occur?”

  “Oh, I’m not sure,” said Raven, once again pulling her helpless female act. “It was on the road somewhere between here and Portree. Sorry I can’t be more specific, we’ve never been to Skye before.”

  “That’s quite a few roads.”

  “Sorry I can’t round it down. Now if you’ll excuse us…”

  When she moved to walk past him he halted her. “Does your car have sat nav?”

  “Yes but I wasn’t using it when the car skidded.”

  “Hmm, that’s strange.”

  “What is?”

  “Driving around an island you’ve never visited before without sat nav.”

  “Why, is it illegal now?”

  “No, not illegal, just…strange.”

  “We’re a strange family,” said Damon with a macabre grin.

  “Aye, I’d already gathered that. Well, on you go then,” he said, watching them as they followed One Eye to Alan’s table.

  “Suspicious lot that family,” Connell said to Campbell.

  “Extremely. I’d love to know their secrets, I could make a career out of them alone.”

  “You’re back,” One Eye said to Cherie as he took a seat beside her.

  “Yes, worst luck,” she muttered. “Finally I free myself and the police insist I come back. I’d only just arrived at my son’s when I had to turn around and come back, all because of that big tosser,” she muttered, nodding at Campbell.

  “Can I get everyone a drink?” said Alan.

  They all put their orders in, Helen glaring at her boyfriend when he kept slyly glancing Raven’s way. Aidan noticed it too and slung an arm around her shoulders. The mayhem in his eyes when he looked back at Simon encouraged him to avert his gaze.

  “Take it easy,” murmured Raven, putting a hand on her husband’s knee.

  “If he keeps looking at you I’ll rip his legs off.”

  “That detective is already suspicious and we don’t want to do anything to encourage him to ask more questions. Let One Eye carry out his plan then we can go back to the B&B and curl up in bed together.”

  Aidan took her face in his hands, being mindful of her bruises and kissed her hard, thrusting his tongue down her throat, claiming her in front of Simon.

  “Tell us one of your stories Luke,” said Alan. “You have the best stories.” Beneath the table he had his hand on Saskia’s incredibly firm thigh. By God he could cut fruit on it, it was so strong. He was trying to be subtle and considerate, it wouldn’t be fair on Cherie to flaunt his feelings for Saskia in front of her. He was rather proud of himself for that.

  Alan’s call was taken up by the rest of the pub.

  Luke held out his hands in a placating gesture. “I will,” he said when the cry had died down. “But first, Nik has something he would like to say.”

  “About how he killed Bess and Frederick?” Duncan called across the room.

  “What the fuck did you say?” said Damon, leaping up and banging a fist off the table.

  One Eye took hold of his son’s arm. “Sit down and calm down.”

  “Well I’m sick of that red-faced, inbred potato slinger having a go at you.”

  “Potato slinger?” exploded Duncan. “Are you laughing?” he demanded of Stan when he sniggered into his beer.

  “Oh shut up and let Nik speak,” snapped Roberta. She’d been unable to join him at his table because there were so many people crowded round it, so she hung around behind him instead with her glass of wine.

  “Yes,” Campbell’s voice rumbled across the room. “I’d be very interested to hear what he has to say.”

  “Just this,” said One Eye, getting to his feet and leaning on the crutch. “That I think I’ve figured out who killed Bess and Frederick and why. I just need one more piece of information to confirm it, which I will have very soon.”

  “Wow,” said Damon when the shocked silence stretched out. “You really know how to kill a party Dad.”

  One Eye retook his seat and smiled at Raven. “That should do it.”

  “Who is it then?” ca
lled out Ronnie.

  One Eye purposefully let his gaze rest on Duncan for several seconds, who grew even redder in the face when the whispers ran around the room. “I don’t want to say just yet, not without proof and that’s my last word on the matter.”

  “You don’t know, do you?” said Duncan. “You’re just trying to throw suspicion off yourself.”

  “You’d like to believe that, wouldn’t you?”

  Campbell charged his way across the room towards One Eye, Connell hot on his heels.

  “I demand you tell me what you know,” said the detective.

  “I don’t really know anything,” he smiled pleasantly. “It’s all supposition and I’m sure you wouldn’t want me casting aspersions without definitive proof.”

  Campbell pursed his lips, eyes flaring with rage. “If I could nick someone for being annoying I’d have had you in custody days ago.”

  “Thankfully being annoying isn’t an offence.”

  Campbell released a huff of frustration before turning on his heel and stalking back across the room. Connell cast a suspicious eye around the table before following him.

  One Eye nodded at Luke, who grinned and got to his feet. “And now ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for my greatest story. You are indeed honoured.”

  One Eye had to hand it to Luke. The locals thought he could possibly be involved in the deaths of two of their people but that had done nothing to dim his popularity. He really was a wonder.

  One Eye leaned in to Raven to whisper in her ear. “Look out for whoever stares at me during Luke’s story and not at Luke. That is the killer.”

  She nodded knowingly before leaning back into Aidan, who wrapped both arms around her and kissed her hair. She looked relaxed and off her guard but One Eye knew she was at her most alert. Her sharp gaze would help him spot the killer.

  Luke quickly got into full flow, regaling the room about how he’d avoided being killed by an enraged daughter after the death of her father with the help of an unwilling goat. He didn’t mention the woman in question had been Saskia. One Eye inwardly chuckled as he gave a vivid description accompanied by hand gestures and mimes of how he’d tied one end of a rope to the goat and the other to his own testicles, thrusting his pelvis back and forth in a very graphic display. One Eye scanned the room. The majority were staring at Luke in astonishment, some so shocked they had their glasses halfway to their mouths. He was relieved Alan was one of those people, he had grown rather fond of him. Saskia pounded the table and bellowed with uncharacteristic laughter. It was fortunate for Luke she had a very strange sense of humour, it had saved his life. Damon’s deep chuckle echoed around the room, joined by Aidan’s. Ronnie and Stan had tears coursing down their cheeks. Even Campbell’s eyes sparkled with amusement while he attempted to retain his stern professional demeanour. In fact there was only one person who was paying Luke’s performance no mind. One Eye’s gaze connected with theirs and everything he’d suspected was confirmed.

  Raven put a hand on his arm and whispered in his ear. Once again he was grateful for her sharp eyes. What she had to tell him was very interesting indeed.

  Luke’s performance finally came to an end and the room was torn in two - half burst into noisy applause, the loudest of which admittedly was Damon, the other half remained locked in stunned silence. Luke took a bow before returning to his seat, flushed and grinning from ear to ear.

  “By God that was some story,” said Alan. “Is it true?”

  “Every word.”

  “The woman in question must have been truly ferocious to have compelled you to do that.” He paused as an idea occurred to him before slowly turning in his seat to face Saskia. When she grinned he gazed at her even more adoringly.

  Luke’s grin broadened when he caught Cherie staring at his crotch. “You’re picturing what it looked like, aren’t you?”

  “What?” she said, snapping out of it, her eyes flicking up to his face. “Me? No.”

  “Yes you are.”

  “Alright, maybe,” she flushed, taking a sip of wine. “But you paint such a vivid picture.”

  “It was a vivid moment,” he winked, making her blush.

  “It must have been…painful Luke,” said Helen.

  “I was very drunk at the time.”

  “You’d have to be,” she said, making One Eye chuckle.

  “So what’s the next move?” Raven quietly asked One Eye.

  “Now we wait.”

  “Do you think it’ll take long? A friend of mine in Manchester needs my help.”

  “Not the inimitable Venom?”

  Raven nodded and gave him a brief summary of the situation. “Aidan and Damon said they’d come with me to help.”

  One Eye patted her hand. “The killer will make their move tonight. Feel free to leave, I have Saskia and Luke.”

  “No way. I’m not leaving here until you do, I’m taking no chances, especially with a murderer gunning for you.”

  “Then I’ll get this wrapped up as quickly as possible. I hope you know how much I appreciate the effort you’ve gone to for me Raven.”

  “Why wouldn’t I? You’re my dad.”

  His eye twinkled and he gently squeezed her hand.

  Saskia and Alan returned to the B&B first. Knowing what they were going to be getting up to everyone decided to stay at the pub a bit longer to give them some privacy. Cherie barely noticed, her attention occupied by Luke. Once the shock of his story had begun to wear off everyone else started to file out too, some a little worse for wear. One Eye noted no one left alone. After two deaths in the normally placid village they were all worried about who would be next.

  Before he had the chance to leave, Campbell accosted One Eye again. “You ready to give me more information yet?”

  “Afraid not. I still don’t have the required evidence.”

  “You do realise you’ve just made yourself a target?”

  “And I thought you assumed I was the guilty party.”

  “I assume nothing.” He glanced over his shoulder at Connell. “Right, I’m off for the night,” he told his colleague. “Keep an eye on things. Nik’s probably stirred up a hornet’s nest with his little speech.”

  “Will do Sir,” said Connell as the detective left.

  “Oh dear, has he just stuck you with the night watch?” said One Eye.

  “Aye,” he sighed. “Again.”

  “Where’s he staying? He’s not at the B&B.”

  “My house because it’s free, tight git. It’s not like he’d even have to pay for a room, it would come out of expenses. Every penny’s a prisoner with him. He’s right though, be careful.”

  “I admit that’s a surprise coming from you.”

  “Like he said, assume nothing.” Connell’s eyes flicked to Luke. “I feel like nicking him after his goat story. Surely that’s classed as animal abuse?”

  “Luke is very prone to exaggeration, especially when he’s had a drink.”

  “So he didn’t tie a goat to his genitals then?”

  “Like I said, exaggeration. Well, goodnight,” he said before Connell could ask any more awkward questions.

  “Stay close,” One Eye told Raven and Aidan as they left the pub. Usually he wouldn’t think twice about tackling a murderer alone but his ankle seemed to be getting worse and he was limping more than he had been on the journey to the pub.

  Damon had stayed behind to chat with Stan, who he was getting on with rather well. He also wanted to keep an eye on Duncan. One Eye hoped he didn’t get into a fight with him, for Duncan’s sake.

  Helen and Simon followed, strolling arm-in-arm, trailing along behind them back to the B&B, not a care in the world. Luke and Cherie brought up the rear, her arm linked through his, the pair of them whispering and giggling together.

  “What did you mean by the speech you made in the pub?” Helen asked One Eye. “Who’s the killer?”

  “I couldn’t possibly reveal that my dear, it might put you in danger.”

  �
��I’m not scared.”

  “I know but perhaps you should be. Two people have already died.”

  “I have Simon,” she said, beaming up at her boyfriend who was doing his level best to look everywhere but at Raven.

  “Yes, quite,” said One Eye doubtfully. “All the same, be careful.”

  “Nothing to worry about. We’ll soon be back at the B&B, tucked up safe and warm for the night.”

  “I can’t wait,” yawned Aidan.

  CHAPTER 29

  Back at the B&B Helen assigned Raven and Aidan a room at the back of the building overlooking the gardens then headed into the kitchen to make hot chocolate for everyone. Raven and Aidan helped out and the three of them brought everything through to the lounge, enjoying their drinks together in friendly silence.

  “Right,” announced Cherie, replacing her half-empty mug on the tray and getting to her feet. “I’m off to bed,” she added with a meaningful look at Luke.

  He grinned and leapt up. “Yes, I’m rather tired. I think I’ll join you.” Recalling Helen was there, he added, “Err, I mean in my own room.”

  “Smooth,” One Eye told Luke flatly. After they’d gone he looked to Helen. “I apologise for my friend.”

  “Friend or relative?”

  “No, he is a friend, an old one. We were even blood brothers once.”

  “Blood brothers? Wow, how did that come about?”

  “I found him wandering lost and alone. I took him under my wing, let him into the family.”

  “He owes you a lot then?”

  “Yes and I owe him.”

  “And Saskia?”

  “Married one of my sons. They’re divorced now but she’s still very much a part of the family and always will be.”

  “You have more sons?”

  “Yes, they’re scattered about Norway and Denmark. Only Damon and Raven live in the UK.”

  “I bet your family has a lot of secrets.”

  His blue eye twinkled. “Don’t all families?”

  Her gaze briefly met his before moving away.

  Once everyone had finished their hot chocolate they too headed to bed. Damon was still at the pub, enjoying a lock in.