Death of a Policeman by M. C. Beaton Read Free Book Online

Cyril?”
    â€œI cannae remember Cyril being involved in any drugs case, unless it was when I was on holiday. I’ll let you know. I’ll go and see this Murdo Bentley myself. I’ve heard o’ him. Owns the Seven Steps restaurant. Some soap star had her wedding there last year. Does good works. Set up a boys’ club down at the docks. Gives a lot to charity.”
    â€œIs he married?”
    â€œCannae recall.”
    â€œHe’s got some sort of assistant, Anna Eskdale. Ring any bells?”
    â€œNo. Look, Hamish, the man’s a pillar of the community.”
    â€œStill, it’s odd that…” Hamish broke off. He had been about to say that it was odd Cyril had kept that phone number hidden in one of his trainers. “I mean, why did Cyril have a note of that one phone number?”
    â€œYou say Archie found it on his boat. It may not have come from Cyril. Could have been dropped by a tourist. Anyway, thanks for the dram. We’ve asked around the village here. No one saw anyone following Cyril when he left for Sandybeach.”
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    After Jimmy had left, Hamish walked along to Angela Brodie’s cottage. The doctor’s wife was, as usual, scowling at her laptop on the kitchen table. “Looking for inspiration?” asked Hamish.
    â€œI’m looking up frock shops.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œMy last book was a detective story. Didn’t I give you a copy?”
    â€œNo. What’s it called?”
    â€œ A Very Highland Murder . Got good reviews and I’ve been nominated for an award. My agent says it’s full evening dress. It’s going to be televised. The event is sponsored by Bramley Sofas. There are to be awards for different categories of fiction. It’s for new writers.”
    â€œBut you’re not a new writer.”
    â€œI wrote it under another name. I’m a new detective writer.”
    â€œWhere is it being held?”
    â€œAt the Seven Steps restaurant.”
    â€œNow, there’s a coincidence. I was just interviewing the owner today. Haven’t you got an evening gown?”
    â€œIt’s an old thing. I must wear something special. Ah, here’s something. Jessie’s Bridal and Evening Wear. Inverness. I might try them.”
    â€œWhen is it?”
    â€œNext month. The thirtieth.”
    â€œAngela, I need to borrow your black cat.”
    â€œWhy? Can’t you dye Sonsie?”
    â€œYou’ve heard about these scientists?”
    â€œThe whole village has heard about them, Hamish. I’ll bring Sooty over in the morning, but be kind to her and don’t let Lugs frighten her.”
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    Sooty was delivered the next morning. She was a very large, fat lazy cat who ignored Lugs. Dick, with his newly dyed moustache and dyed hair, took Sonsie off to the Tommel Castle Hotel. Clarry, the cook, welcomed Dick and praised him on his new look. “Takes years off you,” he said. “Like something to eat?”
    â€œI’m on a diet,” said Dick. “Well, maybe a wee bit o’ toast.”
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    Lugs barked at Sooty and had to be shut up in the bedroom. The scientists arrived: a tall, thin, elderly man and a short, round bossy woman.
    â€œLet’s see it!” she demanded.
    â€œFor heffen’s sakes,” said Hamish crossly. “This is also my home. You don’t just barge in making demands without pausing to draw a breath. I want identification for a start.”
    Grumbling, they produced driving licenses which Hamish examined with maddening slowness.
    Then he said, “The cat’s through here.”
    He led them into the living room where Sooty was asleep in front of the fire.
    The woman scientist glared at him. “That’s not a wild cat!”
    â€œI never said it was,” said Hamish.
    â€œBut we had a report that you were keeping a wild cat.”
    â€œAye, Sooty can be a handful if she’s riled