Ice Cold Blood

by David W. Millar

  Dearest Euan

  Well what can I say about our holiday in Canada? I could rattle off countless superlatives, but I’ll limit it to just the one - fantastic! The weather, the snow, the sex, what more could a woman ask. You ski well - fast but safe! I wonder what you’re like on a snowboard. In terms of falls I think I had twenty to your one! But there were no injuries and we could relax in the evening drinking wine amidst some of the best scenery in the world before going to bed for a night of passion. My first time for sex in Canada! (What about you?)

  On a serious note, I would love to do some climbing there and maybe even have a go at Mount Logan. It’s apparently a tricky ascent but well worth attempting with a good climbing partner, maybe someone like Euan! Then I would feel safe and supported with you as my anchor man. I’m sure Joe could organise a trip there and we might get a reduced rate if I led some of the climbs. Then there’s Mount McKinley, or whatever they’re calling it now, in Alaska! That would be a real challenge! So let’s make plans and make it happen!

  We’ve been together about nine months now. You’ve stuck with me through some tough times and I appreciate that. I’ve felt secure with you by my side, someone special to call when I’m feeling down and need the comfort of a man who cares about me. Yes, I know I’ve been hard to live with at times! My brain often struggles to find a suitable equilibrium between fast and slow, between living for the moment or dreading the future. I can appear confident when deep down I’m insecure. It does feel like the proverbial roller coaster. I feel energised on this new diet yet also calm. My creativity is high, and I do think I’ve turned a corner with my mental health. I know you are sceptical of my counsellor and at times a little bit jealous, but he is a good man who listens well and gives good advice. I always come home feeling so much better. I can tell him things that, as yet, I can’t tell anyone else, my friends my parents, even you. Maybe as our relationship continues I’ll need him less?

  We are very compatible in bed; you know my body well and always respond to my needs. You’ve also defended my honour and fought for my hand – Ha! Ha! You’ve now met my mum and dad, and even my brother. (ok he’s a bit of a prick!) They think you’re wonderful too. (Which reminds me when am I going to meet your family?) My friends speak highly of you and love your company.

  We only have the one life so let’s take more chances. You have a secure job and my company is doing so well, so let’s climb more mountains, walk more hills, try out more beds, ski down more slopes and plan some adventures.

  Your loving partner

  Ellie

  Putting the letter aside Euan rose to prepare dinner. There was a steak in the fridge, and he chopped onions and mushrooms before adding them to the pan. He still felt a twinge of guilt eating meat. She had affected his life in so many ways.

  Her change of mood had lasted barely a month, a heady time of parties, laughter and sex. When it wore off his life returned to one of pain and anxiety. She suddenly told him off for arranging an indoor climb in Glasgow saying she needed more notice and had other things to do that day. When he jokingly quoted her lines from the letter, she claimed he was twisting her words and not to rush things. She needed space to concentrate on her work and suggested not meeting that weekend. They didn’t speak for almost two weeks. He tried his best to concentrate on work, training hard in the gym for the endorphins that would help his anxiety. For the first time he went for a drink with a female friend from work, asking her advice and opinion on what was happening with Ellie and how he could manage things better. They had almost fallen out when she told him to leave her. Looking back now he realised it had been sound advice.

  Sitting down to eat, Euan heard a text come through on his mobile. It was his mother asking if he wanted to come for lunch the following day, since his brother and his family were coming up from London. He texted back immediately to say he was busy but had holidays to take and might take a couple of days off soon, suggesting they might climb some hills together and go for a pub lunch. His mother was astute, able to read his emotions and ask awkward questions. And, despite a great rapport with him, his brother had three kids and what seemed the perfect relationship. In his present state he didn’t want to be playing happy families. In any case he still expected DCI Tosh to appear at any time.

  The steak was delicious, moist and tender. It reminded him of the first time he took Ellie to meet his mum and dad. His brother, wife and their two kids at the time had made the journey up north. He had warned his mother that Ellie was vegetarian, almost vegan in fact, while suggesting a big lasagne made with soya mince and vegetables that everyone could have. She’d cooked Ellie an egg dish while doing roast beef for everyone else. He was furious. Thankfully, Ellie’s mood had been good that weekend and she just laughed it off, saying it wasn’t for her to demand that everyone suffer her views. They stayed in his old room, now a guest room with Ellie insisting on exuberant sex that had the bed creaking and groaning under their weight. He knew his parents would have heard them despite his pleas to her to stop the loud moaning.

  His brother and his wife liked her, she made them laugh and was great with their children. His father, an accountant, discussed business and was clearly impressed with the way she was running her company. His mother was quieter asking questions about the benefits of veganism and natural remedies with a warning that the doses weren’t controlled and could interfere with other chemicals in the body. He was worried that things might get heated and had forewarned Ellie that as a GP his mother was a traditionalist when it came to medicine, but thankfully it all passed off peaceably.

  On the way home the following day she waxed eloquently about his family and even hinted about having her own kids. He remembered looking across at her in the passenger seat feeling completely in love.

  Chapter 20

  Tuscany was relaxing, hot enough for the Serafinis to wear shorts and eat their meals on the veranda of the apartment. They drank wine and went for walks hand in hand in the cool of the evening. By day they took the hire car to Lucca, Pisa and Florence. Katie had talked to him over breakfast one morning about her father and he had listened for two hours, letting his wife grieve for the man who had once been her father, whose mind was now incapable of recognising the daughter he had once loved.

  It had been cathartic for her and he knew she was grateful to him. They had talked about their children, where they indulged themselves in modest pride over their achievements. By the end of the holiday, he could see the change in her, more carefree and spontaneous, even laughing at his jokes. They made love for the first time in months.

  On their penultimate day they went to their favourite restaurant for dinner. It was an expensive eatery, but money had never been a worry. They chose oysters as a starter and a bottle of white wine from the restaurant’s own vineyard. They clinked glasses and said cheers before sipping their wine. But he could tell she was a bit subdued.

  ‘You’re a bit quiet.’

  ‘Just a few things on my mind.’

  Their main course arrived and there was a pause while they ate and enthused about the food.

  ‘That was wonderful, I don’t know if I’ve room for dessert.’

  ‘You’ll manage. There’s always room for a pudding and they are fabulous here.’

  The crème brúlée was delicious, but when the coffee arrived, he was unprepared for what happened next.

  ‘How would you describe our marriage, John?’

  He looked up at her, struggling for a suitable reply, unsure of the question and the potential for hidden meaning.

  ‘I’d say loving, caring and supportive, with a strong emphasis on bringing up our children to be fantastic adults. We’re pretty good together.’

  ‘Great answer,’ she smiled, taking a drink from her coffee cup. ‘What about fidelity?’

  He looked at her trying to gauge her meaning. ‘Now there’s a question that could destroy a great e
vening.’

  ‘It’s not meant to, but I know there’s something worrying you and I think we should discuss it.’

  ‘Ok,’ he replied warily. ‘And this has to do with fidelity?’

  ‘What I think is worrying you has to do with fidelity. I think something’s wrong.’

  ‘There’s nothing wrong. And I don’t think this line of questioning is going to help our marriage.’

  ‘It’s to do with Ellie Saunders.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘The woman who was murdered on Ben Nevis.’

  Serafini refilled their glasses to buy time.

  ‘What do you know about Ellie Saunders?’

  ‘I know you’ve had a relationship of sorts with her.’

  He sipped the wine, his mind in turmoil at the revelation. In the end he decided there was no point in denial.

  ‘How did you know?’

  ‘When I used our home laptop it showed a browsing history of a BBC report of her murder. I saw you looking at it again when I’d made you coffee and brought it to your desk.’

  ‘I could just have been interested in her death from a climbing perspective?’ he shrugged. ‘I have done a bit of climbing around there.’

  ‘Yes, that’s what I thought, though I could tell you were worried. We’ve been together for over 30 years and I can read your moods. I noticed you get up from your chair when the BBC covered the story. You’ve not been sleeping well and are very restless in bed. And there is something else.’

  ‘What?’

  She picked up her handbag and extracted a thin book, holding it up so he could read the title.

  ‘Being a Vegan, Katie what’s this all about?’

  ‘I found it down the back of the bed when I was changing the sheets. Someone’s doodled some impressive artwork on the inside page,’ she paused. ‘It’s signed with the initials ES. My guess is it belonged to Ellie Saunders?’

  Serafini covered his face with his hands. It took him so seconds to compose himself.

  ‘Yes, it is or was Ellie’s. She was here last year and must have left it, Katie I’m really sorry I didn’t mean to…’

  ‘I know you’ve had lots of dalliances, for want of a better word, in your time.’

  Serafini looked at his wife in astonishment. ‘You knew and said nothing.’

  She looked up and smiled. ‘You’re a good-looking man and attractive to women. You go to conferences both here and abroad where the conversation is no doubt stimulating, the wine is flowing, then a meaningful glance and the next thing you’re between the sheets with someone new. You were always more attentive when you returned from these conferences; probably to do with guilt.’

  ‘You’re taking this remarkably well,’ Serafini said suspiciously. ‘I’m waiting for a volcano to erupt.’

  ‘I go to conferences over the world too John and I’m an attractive woman.’

  ‘Well everything’s coming out this evening. It would seem fidelity is certainly not part of our relationship.’

  ‘We do love each other, I know that. You’ve been a brilliant father and we’ve never let these sexual adventures interfere with our relationship. Something’s happened with this woman that’s worrying you, and now me.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘The police issued a statement saying they think she was last seen trudging up Ben Nevis with a man. Now you were away that evening and I can’t remember what your excuse was. Were you the person who was seen walking with her before she was murdered?’

  ---oOo---

  It was always a tad awkward when she was on duty. Tosh kept any greetings between them to a nod or a brief smile, feeling there was a standard of professionalism to be maintained. Shona’s face, however, would light up on seeing him, making him feel simultaneously embarrassed and elated. She seemed to enjoy his awkwardness and made a point of addressing him as a chief inspector. There had been gentle ribbing from McIntyre and knowing looks from others at the station, but it was all done with good humour and he felt more accepted by them now, rather than the big chief come to solve the murder.

  They were driving to Inverness on Saturday to see a film at the cinema there. It was her suggestion. A historical drama set during the Second World War. He was certainly keen to see it, wondering if Shona had chosen it because of his interest in history. That would have been considerate of her. He also knew he would have gone to see ‘Bambi’ if she’d asked. She had allowed him to buy the tickets, provided her car and therefore her petrol was used for the journey. He knew there was no point in objecting, and it made any arguments on the actual day redundant.

  It was too early in their relationship to suggest she stayed over at his flat in Inverness, so they were going to the early showing at six before driving back to Fort William. He had arranged to stay at McIntyre’s house that evening. They would have lunch in Inverness before it started. He felt it was a good arrangement, hopefully allowing them to nudge closer before there were more in-depth discussions about their past - particularly his past.

  Meanwhile another interview with Euan Hunter had led nowhere. There was no evidence of his car having been photographed anywhere near Fort William on the evening Ellie had walked to Coire Leis. Hunter had answered questions about their relationship and his voice and body language seemed to indicate he was being truthful. At one stage he had become emotional and there was little doubt in Tosh’s mind that he had loved her. The hatred of Ellie’s elusive counsellor resurfaced though Hunter was still unable to offer any clues as to the man’s identity. But then a phone call from McIntyre interrupted the interview, Tosh excusing himself when his mobile rang.

  ‘I believe you had a recent conversation with a man called Joe Flint,’ Tosh declared on his return. ‘Apparently some mysterious meeting in Glencoe. I wonder if you could fill me in on some of the details.’

  ‘You’d be better asking him.’

  ‘It’s you I’m asking Mr. Hunter, you have information about Ellie Saunders and since this is a murder investigation you have an obligation to answer.’

  ‘Ask away then.’

  ‘You were willing to trade information about some incident regarding New Zealand with Joe Flint provided he somehow found out the name of her counsellor.’

  ‘It was a bluff; I know nothing about New Zealand.’

  ‘I don’t believe you. You are withholding evidence and I can arrest you.’

  Hunter held his arms forward in the pretence of accepting handcuffs. ‘Arrest me then.’

  ‘You know a lot of things you’re not telling me and making things difficult when they don’t have to be. I don’t have much to go on and any detail however small could be important.’

  ‘I don’t know anything about New Zealand.’

  ‘You know she went there over 12 years ago?’

  ‘She never talked about it.’

  ‘You and I both know that’s not true. I’m assuming you want her killer caught.’

  ‘You need to find the name of her counsellor.’

  ‘You think he killed her?’

  ‘Well you don’t think I did it or you would have arrested me by now. I’m assuming Joe Flint had an alibi so that leaves this counsellor.’

  ‘Did she talk about him a lot?’

  ‘I told you. She thought he was wonderful.’

  Tosh made notes. ‘Was she sleeping with him?’

  ‘What do you think?’

  ‘Did that upset you?’

  ‘Of course it fucking upset me.’

  ‘Enough to kill her in a fit of anger?’

  ‘Maybe enough to kill him in a fit of anger.’

  ‘Well any information about New Zealand might also help this enquiry.’

  ‘I don’t have any.’

  ‘I don’t believe you.’

  ‘Well in that case either arrest me or l
et me go.’

  ‘I’ll be in touch again soon Mr Hunter, so please don’t leave the country.’

  It gave Tosh the last word even it sounded lame.

  ---oOo---

  The call from Annabel took Flint by surprise. Apart from the funeral they’d never met and he only knew about her through Ellie. He was aware of Annabel’s brief relationship with Hunter and the daughter from that union. She asked to meet him for a coffee when he was next in Edinburgh, so Flint drove through to the capital at the end of the week when he had finished his work at Glencoe.

  They met outside a café just off Princes Street.

  ‘Joe thanks for coming,’ she smiled, shaking his hand.

  ‘Well I’m intrigued. I keep getting phone calls to set up mysterious meetings.’

  ‘Yes I spoke to Euan and he said you two had met up. That’s partly why I wanted to see you.’

  ‘Is this about New Zealand by any chance?’

  ‘Sort of, can we get a coffee first?’

  After ordering coffee and croissants, Flint insisting on paying, they found a seat by the window. Annabel’s mobile rang and she apologised before taking the call. He studied her profile discreetly while she took the call, finding her attractive. He could see why she would have appealed to Hunter.

  ‘Sorry about that,’ she said while putting the phone back in her handbag. ‘Eilidh’s got choir practice after school and I’ll need to get my partner to pick her up.’

  ‘Nice name, I believe it means light,’ Flint smiled, wondering if she or Hunter had chosen it for it seemed very close to the name Ellie. ‘I’ve always liked it.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Annabel replied as their order arrived. ‘I can see from your face that you think it’s like Ellie’s name. We both loved the name and thought it might soften any animosity that Ellie felt towards us.’

  ‘So, can you tell me anything about this New Zealand connection between me and Ellie?’

  She looked up at him while drumming her fingers nervously on the table. ‘Euan said the meeting between you didn’t go well.’