The Castle and The Redhead (Pt. 8)
Setting: an island off the west coast of Scotland.
Here are: Part 1: Part 2 Pt: 3 Pt: 4 Pt: 5 Pt: 6 Pt: 7
Aline stood aside at the door, letting the police officers walk through before she closed the door. “Follow me, will you? We’ll go through to the conference room. It’s not far, just a few steps.” Aline pushed open the door and let the officers in. There was an oval table in the middle and eight chairs around it. In the middle, a jug of water and glasses. “Please, any chair. Can I bring us some tea, or coffee, maybe?”
The Sergeant spoke. “A cup of tea would be very welcome,” he said, unbuttoning his jacket to access an inside pocket.
“I’ll take a moment to get that organized. As Aline was leaving the room, Hambleton met her at the door, carrying a large tray with tea, coffee, and biscuits. “Ah, David, you and Mrs. Simms never cease to amaze me. Thank you so much. Just on the table., please” Hambleton laid the tray on the table and set napkins close by. Then he turned and left the room, closing the door.
“Is this about the boat that sank last night, Sergeant? My brother saw it happen. Was anybody hurt?”
“Yes, we have some questions about the time the boat sank. May I know the name of the person I am speaking to?” The policeman behind took a seat at the table and opened his notebook.
“I’m Aline MacAlistair.”
“Would you be the wife of Mr. Thomas MacAlistair?”
“Sister,” Aline replied.
“Excuse me. My apologies. Is Mr. MacAlistair at home?
“Not at the moment. I was hoping I might be able to help you?”
“This is the closest island to the incident. We believe anyone who swum to it after getting off the sinking boat might have come ashore.”
“How many people were on the boat, Sergeant?” Aline asked.
“We are uncertain at this time. As yet, we have not located any survivors. We do know the sunken boat was stolen. Another fishing boat in the area informed us that the sunken vessel had caught fire, and an emergency flare was sent up. The sergeant turns to the officer making notes. “We have a photo to show you of a person of interest, a woman, and we believe this person may have been on the boat at the time of the fire. Naturally, we want to ensure this person doesn’t become a danger to you. It is not unreasonable to imagine if she deliberately set the boat afire, faking her death; what better place to hide than on a remote island?
While the officer was bringing the photo from a reinforced envelope, Aline instinctively knew who she would be shown: Blair.
“What has this person done, Sergeant?”
“She escaped from prison where she was waiting to be charged for murder?”
Aline felt herself shrink, go cool, and slightly dizzy.
The sergeant lay the photo on the table. Aline could hardly bring herself to look. The officer turned the photo the right way up.
“This is Rachel McDermot; she was arrested three days ago on suspicion of murdering her husband. She escaped the prison yesterday. We suspect she had help on the inside.”
Aline didn’t dare to face the photograph. She had brought a murderer to meet her brother. No. Slowly, she turned her head.
“Take your time, Ma’am.” The sergeant said, pushing the photo closer.
Aline looked down, first with eyes closed, opening them until the fuzziness’ was coming into focus.
Aline looked directly at the sergeant. “You’re sure this is the woman you are chasing?”
“There is no doubt this is her. Rachel McDermot is the wife of the lead singer of the band Gondwana.”
Aline reached for the teapot, “Can I pour you some tea?” she said.
“First, have you seen this person in the last eighteen hours?”
Aline studied the photo again. The woman’s photo on the table looked nothing like Blair’s face.
“That woman has not set foot on this island, sergeant. I’m not into bands, so I’m afraid her face doesn’t look familiar. But please help yourself by having some tea before you leave.”
“Thank you. You have a historic home here.”
“Oh, it’s my brother’s, Sergeant,” Aline feels as if a world of trouble has been lifted from her shoulders.
As tea is poured, the roar of rotor blades comes closer. The sergeant looks quizzically at Aline.
“That will be Thomas. He was on the other side of the island. If you don’t mind, I’ll meet him,” Aline excuses herself.
When she arrives on the terrace, the helicopter has landed, the door is open, and Gibbings is climbing out. But wait, to whom is Gibbings extending a helping hand? A few seconds later, Blair Campbell steps down from the helicopter.
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