They all whipped round when there was a rustling in the trees and Connell staggered out, blood trickling down one side of his head, his skin ghastly pale.
“Are you okay?” said One Eye.
“I’ll be fine,” he replied. “I didn’t see who knocked me out but it must have been Campbell. I woke up in time to hear their confession, thank God. Sorry I couldn’t help you, I could barely stand up.”
“Sit down,” Raven told him kindly when he staggered again and almost fell. “You’ve probably got concussion.”
“I’ll rest when I’ve got the cuffs on her,” he said, indicating Helen, who glowered at him. “Campbell might have hit me but I think she’s much more dangerous.”
“I don’t think anyone will argue with you there,” said Nik.
After cuffing Helen, Connell slumped to the ground, a handkerchief pressed to the side of his head. He called for back-up, content to let Saskia and Aidan watch over his prisoners. He also called Alan to let him know what had happened to his daughter.
“I must admit,” One Eye told Connell. “I thought you were the crooked cop, not Campbell.”
“Me, why?”
“Because when Luke was telling his goat story you were watching me, not him.”
“I was trying to work out what you knew about the murders. That was more important to me than hearing about some pervert abusing animals.”
“Fair point.”
Helen called to her lover, who came round with a groan.
“Jesus, my head,” he moaned. “It fucking hurts.”
“Good,” said Aidan.
“What do you see in him?” Raven asked Helen, nodding at Campbell.
“It’s hard to put into words,” said Helen with a dreamy smile.
“I’m not surprised,” said Saskia.
“He’s just so strong and clever and…” Her lip curled with disgust. “Are you crying?”
“My life is over,” wailed Campbell. “It’s fucking over.”
“Don’t cry you fucking weakling,” she spat at him. “Be strong, be the man I know you are.”
“Oh shut it you stupid fucking harpy,” he yelled back at her. “It’s all your fault. If you’d just killed Nik like you were supposed to we wouldn’t be here now. You’re useless, pathetic.”
Helen’s face turned to stone. “Weak, you’re just weak. All I want is a strong man, after two years of Simon lying down and being a doormat and this is what I get. I’m only twenty one. I’ve thrown my entire life away for you.” Her horrified eyes tick-tocked from side to side as the reality of her situation dawned on her. No way was she taking the blame for everything. “He killed Frederick,” she told Connell.
“Shut it,” barked Campbell. When he tried to get to his feet Aidan shoved him back down again.
“Nik was right,” she continued, triumph shining in her eyes as she dropped her lover right in it. “I came back to the B&B and told everyone he was dead before he’d even been killed. It gave me a solid alibi and it threw out the timeline so Connell wouldn’t get suspicious about Derek, not that I think he would have. He had no idea,” she said with a derisive snort.
Connell was too sore and tired to respond to that remark, so he just rolled his eyes.
“Why did Campbell want him dead Helen?” said Nik, who sank onto the grass beside Connell, his ankle throbbing.
“A man died in police custody when he was in charge,” she replied. “There were rumours all around Flodigarry that he’d got too rough with him and it contributed to his death. Frederick heard this and managed to get proof. He photographed him handing over cash to the victim’s brother.”
“Hush money,” said Connell.
“Yeah,” replied Helen. “He was a loser who threatened to take it further if Derek didn’t give him ten grand. He was satisfied with that, so he took the money and left the island…”
“Then Frederick latched on,” said One Eye.
“Yeah. He wanted thirty grand or he’d hand over the photos to his superiors. I mean, Derek doesn’t have that sort of cash. So he decided to kill him. He said we could get rid of the two people who were destroying our lives and make it look like someone else did it.”
“Then you found me, lost and alone with a busted ankle,” said One Eye. “And you thought I’d be the ideal patsy.”
“Yes. It was perfect,” she said eagerly. “Derek knew he’d get assigned to the case and that he could twist things to pin them on you. But it didn’t work. You were far stronger than we thought and so charming. Even some of the villagers believed you couldn’t be guilty. We started to panic. When you said you knew who’d done it we thought you’d actually found proof.”
“So I had to be got rid of. Oh dear, my trick ruined your plans and the patsy had to become a victim. Well, I must say this has been rather fun. I’ve never solved a series of murders before.”
Alan burst into the clearing, having dressed so hastily his jumper was on backwards. He was accompanied by a curious Damon and Luke.
He came to a sudden halt to take in the scene before him. “Helen, what are you still doing here? I thought you’d been taken into custody.”
It was Saskia who took it upon herself to explain, wrapping an arm around his shoulders as she spoke. When she’d finished he would have sank to his knees had her firm grip not kept him upright.
“I’m so tired of this,” he groaned. He looked to his daughter, who was too busy staring at Campbell to bother with him. “What does she see in him? She had that sweet, handsome boy Simon. I don’t understand.”
“We’re all still struggling with that one,” said One Eye.
CHAPTER 32
The police turned up in their droves, plain clothes as well as uniformed officers, supported by an ambulance. After One Eye declined any treatment all their statements were taken by the shell-shocked officers. Campbell for his part barely spoke, he was too busy sobbing as his life came crashing down around his ears. Fortunately One Eye’s recordings gave them all the answers they needed.
Helen in contrast remained defiant, hurling insults at the officers and spitting at them as they bundled her into the back of a police car.
“Do you want to go with her?” the shocked detective chief inspector in charge asked Alan.
Slowly he shook his head. “No. She’s a grown woman and she brought this on herself. I’ll call her solicitor but that’s it.” He sighed, a tear sliding down his cheek. “Poor Simon.”
They were then ushered back to the village, away from the crime scene. As Simon’s body was at the B&B they weren’t permitted back there, so Ronnie opened up the pub, telling them they could wait there until given the all-clear to return to the B&B. Cherie went to stay with Roberta at her cottage.
Luke and Damon, who were rather drunk, immediately fell asleep in two of the booths. Alan remained locked in Saskia’s arms, who gently rocked him and hummed a soothing tune, as though he were a traumatised child. Aidan and Raven curled up together in another booth to sleep.
One Eye was unable to sleep, his mind still ticking over recent shocking events. He joined Ronnie, Arthur, Stan and Duncan at the bar for a restorative whisky.
“Looks like they gave you a bit of a battering,” said Ronnie.
“Fortunately they didn’t kill me like they wanted to.”
“I still can’t believe it,” said Stan, looking dazed. “It’s just so…weird.”
They all nodded in agreement.
“I don’t know whether to feel sorry for Simon or not,” said Arthur.
“I think he is to be pitied,” said One Eye. “I believe he got into something he had no idea how to get out of.”
“Perhaps. The only family he has is his dad and he’s so drunk most of the time he probably won’t even notice he’s gone. His plumbing business has already gone down the tubes, so there’s no one to miss him.” Arthur gazed into his drink and winced. “It’s rather sad.”
“I’m sorry for accusing you,” Duncan told One Eye. “But I was so
convinced it was you. I couldn’t imagine anyone in the village being responsible. Shows what I know.”
“That’s alright. I accused you too. Let’s put it behind us, eh?” said One Eye, extending his hand.
“I’d love nothing more than to forget this nightmare,” replied Duncan, shaking his hand.
Sadly One Eye got the feeling that was never going to happen. This would haunt the village forever.
They all managed to get some sleep in the pub, Ronnie furnishing them with blankets and pillows. At six o’clock that morning the detective chief inspector turned up with two of his detectives and all their statements were taken again. The detectives seemed even more incredulous when their story didn’t change a jot. They were informed Campbell had already broken down and confessed everything. Helen was made of sterner stuff and was holding out more but she’d already let a lot slip. They told them they could return to the B&B, that Simon’s body had been removed and scenes of crime had finished processing the scene. When One Eye said they intended to return home that morning the senior investigating officer said that was alright but their contact details were taken.
They returned as a group to the B&B, Alan hovering on the threshold, so the others were unable to enter.
“You okay?” said Saskia.
“Simon died here,” he quietly replied. “And I discovered who my daughter really is.”
Cherie stepped past him. “I’ll go in first.” She looked to her husband. “We can’t let them win.”
He took a deep breath and nodded, taking Saskia’s hand. It showed how recent events had changed them that Cherie didn’t bat an eyelid.
They all split up, heading into their respective rooms to hurriedly pack. While Raven and Aidan were in their rooms, the latter’s phone rang.
“Who was that?” she said when he’d hung up.
“My friend Greg. You remember him?”
Raven nodded. Aidan didn’t have many friends and the few he did have were complete scumbags. But Greg was okay, he was a voice of reason when Aidan got lost in the mayhem. He had also saved her husband’s life twice and for that she would be eternally grateful to him. Aidan and Greg had trained together, survived in the worst hellholes imaginable, so they had a close bond.
“Greg’s got a security gig,” continued Aidan. “It’s legit, for once and pays well. He’s got a vacancy for me.”
“Legitimate,” she smiled, pleased. This could be the start of Aidan turning over a new leaf. If he wasn’t training psychopaths in horrible places it might calm him down. He might be able to stay at home more, perhaps even permanently. She knew he was thinking the same thing when his eyes lit up with hope.
“I know I said I’d come to Manchester to help but if I don’t go to Geneva immediately they might give the gig to someone else,” he said. “They said they’d wait to interview me first on Greg’s recommendation but they can’t wait forever…”
“No, it’s okay babe. You go. Damon said he’d come to Manchester to help. This is important. And Geneva is much better than where you usually end up working.”
He took her hands and kissed her. “Thank you.”
“Maybe, if you get this job then one day…”
He pressed his forehead to hers. “I know. God I hope so.”
“Thank you for helping us find One Eye.”
“Anything for you.” He cupped her face in his hands. “I wish I could stay longer.”
“This job might mean you can in the future. When do you have to leave?”
“As soon as I can. I’ll head over to Aberdeen Airport and fly out from there.”
“Good luck.”
“You too and please, be careful in Manchester.”
“I will.”
“I’m not the best with words but you do know that wherever I am, whatever I’m doing, I’m always thinking of you.”
His words touched the lava that constantly seethed inside her and she ground her mouth against his.
“Me too,” she said when the kiss ended, stroking his face.
He called a taxi to take him to the airport and she walked outside with him ten minutes later to find the taxi already waiting. She was pleased when the others came out to see him off, even Alan.
He said goodbye to them all before kissing Raven again and getting into the back of the taxi. As it set off the others filed back into the B&B. One Eye remained outside with Raven, who refused to go back inside until the taxi had disappeared from view.
“Are you alright?” One Eye asked her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, leaning on one of his crutches. In the last few hours his ankle had ballooned up again but Doctor Simpson had assured him there would be no lasting damage.
Raven’s eyes glittered with tears. One Eye watched as she blinked them away and swallowed down her pain until she was once again her cool, calm self. Sometimes he wondered if he’d done the right thing schooling her to control her emotions like that. He feared all that raw feeling was building up and that one day it would explode out of her in a terrifying display.
“I’m fine,” she said.
“You don’t need to put on a front with me Raven,” he said. “I know what that man means to you. Every time he leaves it costs you a piece of yourself.”
“This job is legitimate. It could be the start of a new life for us, one we can finally spend together.”
One Eye knew that dream of hers would never happen. It didn’t matter what job Aidan Gallagher did, the mayhem was in his blood and nothing was getting it out. “Let’s hope,” he said. There was nothing wrong with hope. The day someone lost that was the day they gave up. “How long before your car’s fixed?”
“Duncan’s working on it as we speak. Turns out he’s a very skilled mechanic. He’s fixing it for free to apologise for accusing you so publicly of being a murderer.”
“That’s very good of him considering I did the same thing to him. How about a walk while we wait?”
“But your ankle…”
“Can cope with a small walk. Sadly I won’t be going up to the Old Man of Storr any time soon though.”
“When you’re better we’ll come back and make that climb. Together.”
One Eye smiled and held his arm out to her, which she accepted. Recent events had brought them even closer. Both had realised what their lives would be without each other.
“You must be anxious to get to Manchester,” he said as he walked, leaning heavily on the crutch.
“I am. I’ve never heard Jules like that before.”
“I know she’s your friend but are you sure you want to get caught up in that mess?”
Raven nodded. “She’d do the same for me.”
“Then she’s worth it. I just wouldn’t want you or Damon to put yourselves in danger for anything less.”
“We’ll be fine, don’t worry. We can drop you off at home on the way.”
“That will add an extra hour onto your journey. I can make my own way home.”
“Oh no, I’m not leaving without you. Me and Damon swore we wouldn’t return home without you and that’s the way it’s staying.”
“Alright, I’ll come,” he said, patting her hand. “I wouldn’t want you to break an oath on my account.”
Raven smiled. As desperate as she was to get to Manchester she didn’t want to leave without him, she was afraid something else would happen and he’d vanish again.
“There’s a nice bench just there with a wonderful view over the water,” said One Eye. “Let’s sit down.”
They took a seat, gazing out at the ocean. The day was rather mild, just a gentle breeze caressing their faces. They sat in companionable silence for a while, both content with this.
One Eye sensed the rising tension in Raven. “Is there something you wish to say?”
“You know me so well,” she smiled. “Three nights ago, when we were further down the island looking for you I ate some mescaline salts and had the most vivid trip ever.”
One Eye listened as she explai
ned her experience, telling him how the man she’d seen in the trip was now turning up in her dreams and occasionally in real life.
“So,” she said when she’d finished explaining. “What do you think it means?”
“I think you’ve opened a doorway.”
“A doorway to what?”
“Your true self.”
“I don’t understand.”
“The things we see in our minds, they are much more than random images dreamed up by a fevered imagination.”
“So what are they?” she said when he went silent.
“What do you think they are?” he replied.
“I don’t know. Other realities maybe.”
“Come Raven, you can do better than that after the journeys you’ve taken with mescaline.”
“There’s more to life than what we see every day around us. What it is though I have no idea.”
“Yes you do but you’re afraid to say it. You want me to tell you that this man you saw is a figment of your imagination, meaningless and he will fade. Everything will go back to normal and you don’t need to feel guilty anymore.”
She nodded. “That is what I want you to say.”
“Well I won’t because that would be a lie. All you can do is see where it leads you and know that you are always in control. That door you’ve opened can be closed at any time.”
“It can?”
“Yes and I know you feel guilty because of Aidan but I would urge you to think twice. We are much more than these physical bodies. Think on that.”
Raven sighed. “I wish you’d give me a clearer answer.”
“I can’t because the answer needs to come from you, not me.”
“That’s not helping.”
“I’m here to tell you the truth, not ease your conscience. Don’t worry,” he said, wrapping an arm around her. “You’ll deal with this like you deal with everything else.”
“Have you ever…kissed anyone during your trips?”
“Yes and I’ve done a lot more than that.”
“What?” she exclaimed.
“Why do you think I enjoy using mescaline so much?” he smiled, eye twinkling.
Journeyman Page 29
