‘Did you find out anything in New Zealand?’
Flint hesitated for a moment before replying. ‘Yes, I did.’
‘You don’t have to say anything Joe. It’s none of my business and…’
‘It’s ok Annabel,’ Flint soothed. ‘I’m happy to talk to you about it - might be good for me.’
So he told her everything: seeing the boy for the first time at the house, the initial confrontation with the adoptive father and subsequent meeting in the pub, the revelation that someone had been snooping around the boy’s school and the letter addressed to Richie with a phone number urging him to contact her. When he had finished Annabel was silent for a few moments.
‘You really think Ellie tried to contact him?’
‘It looks that way. Richie’s father said Ellie might have overheard names in the hospital after there was an issue when they went in to collect Richie. They think she might have hired a detective to find out where he lived. Not that difficult a thing to do.’
‘So do you think he’s your son?’ Annabel asked after a long pause.
‘He looks like me Annabel, so I suppose the chances are pretty high. I left my DNA with his adoptive father and he said he’d get it checked so I’d know then one way or another.’
‘He seems to be taking it really well.’
‘He’s a good man and really cares a lot for Richie. They also have a daughter so maybe that makes it easier for them. There’s no doubt about how much they love their adopted son. I’m not going to come between them and in some ways, I regret going to New Zealand.’
‘Does Richie know he’s adopted?’
‘Yes, he was told on his eighth birthday. Seemingly he was fine about it and just wants to be with the people he calls mum and dad. Maybe he’ll make contact with me later on and maybe not. The problem is he’ll then find out his mother was murdered.’
‘At least you’d be there to tell him about Ellie. She was a good woman who tried to live by her principles.’
‘I did some research about what happens when adopted children contact their biological mothers. What they most want to know is why they were given up for adoption. They often have a sense of abandonment. Ellie didn’t even tell me she was pregnant. What would I say to him?’
‘You just tell him that she was struggling mentally at the time and felt she couldn’t look after him. She thought he would have a wonderful life in New Zealand. You tell him she was a wonderful woman who tried to live life to the full despite the difficulties she faced.’
‘Yeah maybe,’ Flint replied doubtfully. ‘Anyway, that’s a long way off.’
‘Did you mention any names to the police?’
‘No, I told them I knew she had given birth in New Zealand and the child adopted but that was all.’
‘Didn’t they ask how you found this out?’
‘I was vague about it and he left it at that. They’ve got a suspect and I think they’re just going through the motions.’
‘I’m worried about Euan.’
‘Why?’ Flint replied, surprised at the change of subject. ‘He hasn’t done anything wrong and he’s not a suspect surely.’
‘He’s hiding something. If it’s not lying, then it’s being economical with the truth.’
‘Have you challenged him on it?’
‘He’s Eilidh’s dad,’ Annabel said tearfully. ‘I don’t want him going to prison.’
‘You’re getting ahead of yourself Annabel. There’s nothing to suggest Euan had anything to do with what happened at Coire Leis.’
‘I hope you’re right Joe but Eilidh was at her father’s place last week and saw some letters and documents that he’d left in a pile on the kitchen table.’
Flint said nothing, waiting for Annabel to continue.
‘There were letters addressed to him that looked like they were from Ellie.’
‘So he kept the letters she sent him. That’s not a crime.’
‘There was something else Joe.’
‘What?’
‘She saw a document that had Ellie’s name on it.’
‘What was it?’
‘Ellie’s will.’
Chapter 44
‘How did you find out where I live?’
‘So you know who I am then Dr Serafini?’
‘Ellie showed me some photos that you were in. But you haven’t answered my question.’
‘Can I come in?’
Glancing furtively to his left and right Serafini motioned with his head for Hunter to enter, closing the door quickly behind them.
‘What do you want?’
‘A coffee would be good.’
‘You shouldn’t be here Mr Hunter. I shouldn’t be discussing anything to do with the case.’
‘Well then we can just chat about the weather or climbing or maybe psychosexual counselling?’
Serafini sighed and indicated to Hunter to sit down before disappearing into the kitchen and switching on the kettle. When he returned a few minutes later with two mugs of coffee Hunter was reading a magazine he’d picked up from the coffee table.
‘Nice place you’ve got here.’
Serafini shook his head and placed a mug of coffee in front of his unwelcome guest.
‘Thank you. So, how’s things been?’
Serafini fixed Hunter with a stare but still said nothing.
‘Not too good then?’
‘So you’re here to gloat?’ Serafini replied eventually. ‘Well my life’s hell at the moment you’ll be glad to know. But then you’ll know that since you sent me a text, didn’t you?’
‘I just wanted to meet the man that Ellie dumped me for.’
‘Ellie didn’t love me Mr Hunter.’
‘You counselled her all those years, yet you never realised that she’d fallen in love with you?’
‘What makes you think she loved me?’
‘Oh I don’t just think, I have written as well as oral evidence Dr Serafini.’
‘Written evidence?’
‘Did Ellie never write you letters? But then your wife might have found them.’
‘I didn’t kill Ellie if that’s why you’re here.’
‘I know that too. But you are part of the reason that she’s dead.’
‘So, you are here to gloat and talk in riddles.’
‘What did she say to you about me? And since she’s dead don’t claim client confidentiality?’
Serafini looked at Hunter and sighed. ‘Ellie had problems with her mental health.’
‘I know that! She was bipolar, wasn’t she?’
‘Labels are often unhelpful. They stigmatise people or give the patient an easy way out of trying to live their life. Ellie never accepted any diagnosis and that was courageous. To her, some days were simply better than others. At times it must have been hard for her, but she was just determined to live her life to the full.’
‘That didn’t include me.’
‘You were a big part of her life. She probably spent more time with you than anyone else.’
‘But she didn’t love me, and she wouldn’t live with me,’ Hunter spat the words out. ‘You know I asked her to marry me?’
Serafini nodded while trying to keep calm. The fact Hunter had said he knew that he, Serafini, hadn’t killed Ellie was exhilarating if confusing. It gave him hope. Yet, Hunter wanted something else from the meeting and it was important to deduce what that was.
‘Ellie sometimes didn’t really know what she wanted from week-to-week, even day-to-day, such were her mood swings. Since she often refused chemical treatment as she called it, her change of mood could be quite severe. I think she knew that any permanent relationship with anyone was never going to work.’
‘She wanted to be with you. But you were already married with children, although that never stopped you fucking her.
’
‘I never got the impression she wanted to form any sort of relationship with me.’ Serafini replied calmly.
‘You know that lots of women fall in love with their counsellors. Having bared their souls they feel that person understands them more than anyone else in the world and suddenly they’re in love, real love for the first time. You didn’t think that might happen with Ellie?’
‘Very poetic, but Ellie never fell in love with me.’
‘So how many of your clients have you fucked?’
‘I don’t see how that’s relevant to this discussion.’
‘Is it not unethical? An offence that can have you struck off?’
Serafini’s training and experience told him just to go along with Hunter and play the game.
‘I had affairs with other counsellors or medical people I met at meetings and conventions - Ellie was the only client. And yes, you’re right I could have been struck off if she had reported it.’
‘So it was worth the risk?’
‘In light of what has happened, it was not worth the risk.’
‘Why did she want you to go to the snow-hole with her? Surely that was a bit extreme?’
‘I don’t know. She phoned me up unexpectedly and suggested it.’
‘So why did you agree to go?’
‘It was exciting I suppose.’
‘Ever wonder why she didn’t ask me to go with her?’
Serafini glanced up uneasily at Hunter. Saying the wrong thing here could result in a shouting match or worse. He was a big guy.
‘From what I was aware you hadn’t spoken to each other in months.’
‘So why not choose Joe Flint? He was the father of her child even if she did have the boy adopted in New Zealand.’
‘You knew she was pregnant?’ Serafini gasped.
‘Oh I know lots of things Mr Serafini. And I know the true significance of that journey in the darkness to Coire Leis.’
‘Then you also know I didn’t kill her,’ Serafini said quietly. ‘But you would see an innocent man go to prison.’
‘Time for me to go Dr Serafini,’ Hunter suddenly rose to his feet. ‘It’s been interesting meeting you. I’ll see myself out.’
‘That’s it? That’s all you’ve got to say?’
‘Well apart from “see you in court”,’ he grinned.
When Hunter had closed the door Serafini jumped to his feet and pulled out his phone.
---oOo---
‘Take me up another mountain this morning so I can get my legs used to hill walking,’ Tosh said looking across the breakfast table at Shona. ‘It’s not good for my image to be holding you back when we’re out.’
‘There’s Beinn Trilleachan,’ she announced cutting into his thoughts ‘It isn’t quite a Munro being just under the 3000 feet – gets called a Corbett. It’s a tough climb, quite steep in bits with slabs of rock. I know a route that’s hard enough to toughen up your thighs! Might not make the summit as it’s almost nine now. Weather looks like it’s going to hold.’
‘Right let’s get suited and booted. I’ll make a flask of coffee and buy the sandwiches in town to save us time.’
They walked for about two hours before Tosh decided he’d had enough, and they made their descent back to the car.
‘That was pretty hard,’ he said between gasps of breath. ‘A baptism of fire for me.’
‘You’re getting hill fit,’ she laughed. ‘We’ll soon have you scampering up all the Bens of Scotland!’
‘That’s a long way off yet but I’ve enjoyed today.’
He pulled Shona towards him kissing her passionately. ‘The bonus is I get to have sex with my teacher.’
‘Not up here,’ she laughed. ‘Anyway, you had my body this morning.’
‘Well it’s afternoon now.’
When they reached the car Tosh suggested they have another coffee and finish off the chocolate. Shona switched on the engine to warm up the car.
‘I think it’s definite I’m being moved back to Inverness,’ Tosh said glumly as he poured out the coffee. ‘My boss said there didn’t seem any point in keeping the investigation open once Serafini has been charged.’
Shona put her hand on his. ‘Well you said it was inevitable.’
‘I’ll get down when I can and maybe we can meet halfway like you suggested. It’s getting lighter at night and hopefully the weather will improve. We can also synchronise holidays.’
‘That would be good,’ Shona smiled.
‘What are your shifts next week-end?’
Shona took out her mobile, tapping the screen. ‘Back shift Friday and Saturday, but off Sunday and Monday.’
‘Fancy a meal in Glasgow on Sunday then?’
‘That would be great. Did you have a place in mind?’
‘Yes, the food there’s great.’
‘Where is it?’
‘My parents.’
Shona looked at him in surprise. ‘Wow!’
‘Are you up for it?’
‘You haven’t told them we’re coming?’
‘I had to ask you first.’
Shona nodded, sipping her coffee, looking out the window, and making Tosh feel anxious. ‘Is it too soon?’
‘I don’t know…’
‘I’ve told them all about you. I know they’ll really like you.’
‘Did they like Alison?’
Tosh put his arm around her. ‘Alison is in the past for them and me. They were upset over what she did. You are my woman now and I would just love for them to meet you.’
‘Then of course I’ll go.’
Tosh’s mobile rang and he hauled it out of his pocket cursing quietly. ‘It’s from Ian,’ he sighed pressing the phone to his ear. ‘I told him not to bother me today.’
Shona laughed and opened the car door. ‘You never stop being a detective. I’ll change out of my boots and leave you to it then.’
When she returned a few minutes later Tosh was stuffing the phone back in his pocket and shaking his head.
‘There’s been an incident at a hotel outside Fort William. Ian’s wife’s away with his car and he’s phoning me to ask if he can claim for a taxi? Jesus, I don’t allocate expenses.’
‘Why doesn’t he just take a company car?’ Shona frowned.
Tosh stared at her with his mouth open. ‘What did you just say?’
‘Why doesn’t he take, you know, a police car?’
‘They’re out at incidents,’ he said slowly. ‘What did you call it?’
‘A company car, I just meant…’
‘Jesus, I think I’ve made a schoolboy error.’
Chapter 45
He had reached the penultimate letter. It was over three pages long and written a few months before her death, so her words were still fresh in his mind. Euan knew it would be difficult to read it again.
He’d tried to be bold and romantic, something he thought she would have approved of. She had teased him that he was over analytical and predictable, so he’d gone all out to show her he could be impulsive.
Things had been going well between them. They were climbing every second weekend and staying for long periods at each other’s places. She was more relaxed. They saw friends together and even went out in a four with Annabel and her partner. They took more time off work and tried other pursuits like white water rafting, off-road driving and canyoning. It had all been an immense success.
Then one night snuggled together on the sofa, Ellie, for the first time, had talked openly about her life; the struggle with her mental health and the loneliness she often felt. She said she envied Annabel having her own daughter and extended family. Euan mentioned her success in climbing and her business. She said she would swap it all for the stability of a loving family
Their lovemaking that evening was
quite different, slow and deliberate; delicate touching of face and fingertips and lots of eye contact. She cried before falling asleep in his arms, and that night he made his decision.
The ring he’d chosen was of simple design: a large single diamond to portray the peaks they had climbed together and mounted in white gold to represent the snow they had trudged through on their adventures. It was ridiculously expensive, but he didn’t care. She would see he wasn’t a cheapskate and that he loved her. He would tell her all this later and say he had named the ring Ben Ellie.
The proposal was made on the top of Ben Nevis after an ascent up Three Finger Gulley to reach the summit. Sunshine and glorious views made it a perfect setting and even the wind had dropped so he wouldn’t have to shout that he loved her, and would she marry him? He had felt it a good omen.
There was snow on the top with a few climbers taking photos. Euan had managed to find a quiet spot and when Ellie snuggled in beside him, he had used a finger to draw a circle in the snow.
‘What’s that?’
‘A circle?’ Ellie laughed. ‘Is this something to do with Pi again?’
He’d once tried to explain the significance of the Pi constant and how it meant much more in Physics than just the circumference of a circle divided by the diameter. She’d listened attentively but he knew she hadn’t shared his enthusiasm.
Euan then drew a diamond shape on the top of the circle. ‘Does that give you another clue?’
He dug into the rucksack for the box as comprehension began to dawn on Ellie.
‘Will you marry me?’ He opened the box to show her the ring and went down on both knees in the snow.
‘What are you doing Euan?’
‘I’m asking you to marry me.’
She was on her feet in seconds. ‘What!’
‘I just thought it was romantic and…’
‘You want to own me with a ring? You think I would respond to a ridiculous stunt like that?’
‘Ellie, I love you and wanted to…’
She had grabbed her rucksack swinging it onto her back as he put the box in his pocket. ‘Euan, I don’t love you, I have never loved you and I never will love you.’
She had stridden towards the path that would lead to Fort William. He’d shouted after her, but she ignored his calls and disappeared down the slope. They had travelled up in his car which was parked at the golf course from where they had made their ascent in the dark up Coire Leis in the snow and he knew the path she had taken down the mountain was taking her miles away from it. Gathering up his rucksack he hurried after her, but she was lost in the mist. He never saw her alive again.
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