Page 31 of The High Island

His sergeant, he noted, looked satisfied by that. Then she said, ‘What about Kris’s belief that Ivor didn’t die of natural causes?’

‘Ivor Mowat was ninety-six years of age,’ he reminded her.

‘He was also in good health, until he told his eldest son that he’d sold the family croft in secret, and also invited his long-lost great-grandson back to Orkney, to maybe take over the family business,’ Jo said.

It was something to be considered, Erling admitted. And hurrying an elderly relative into the grave was not unheard of in Orkney, or anywhere else for that matter.

‘I suspect what happens tomorrow at the will reading will make our next steps clear,’ he said as the outskirts of Kirkwall came into view. ‘But we’ll start the ball rolling by getting Kris’s image out there. If you deal with that, Sergeant, I intend to have a word with the solicitor regarding tomorrow’s event.’

‘Will do,’ Jo said, looking relieved that their plan was now in action.

Back in his office, Erling’s first call was to Willie Halcro, keen as he was to be certain that no human had been caught up in last night’s fire.

‘We haven’t covered the entire area yet, as we made the decision to deal first with the few places where the underlying peat was still smouldering,’ Willie told him. ‘We’ve come across a lot of dead wildlife, plus two sheep that got trapped when the fire moved so fast in the wind. I take it you’re still concerned about the whereabouts of Kris Mowat?’ he added.

‘We are. We now know that he took the passenger ferry to Hoy yesterday morning, but was not noted on any of the return ferries. Also, he may have been seen by walkers heading along the road towards Lyrawa Bay from Moaness. We’re about to put out an alert with his photo requesting the public to report any possible sightings of him.’

‘Right. I’ll make sure to pass that on, and also to let you know if we find anything else that might point to the fire-raiser.’

Hanging up, Erling sat for a moment, composing what he might or could say in a call to the solicitor. Eddie Balfour was his father’s friend as well as the family lawyer. So he could approach Eddie in either capacity. On the other hand, he could also do so as a detective, which would hold even more weight. And also probably cause some alarm.

But now, having decided to put out an alert about the whereabouts of the youngest member of the Mowat family, he felt he was on firm ground in asking questions regarding the reading of the will.

He reached for the phone and dialled.

Three rings later, Eddie answered in his rich Orcadian voice. ‘Erling, now this is a nice surprise,’ he said, before swiftly following with, ‘Tommy’s well, I hope?’

‘He is,’ Erling assured him. ‘I’m calling in my official capacity with regard to the reading of the Mowat will tomorrow morning.’

‘Ah,’ Eddie said, his tone now serious. ‘And how may I help, Detective Inspector?’

‘We have concerns regarding Kris Mowat, Ivor’s great-grandson, who has been reported missing by his partner.’

‘Kris is missing?’ The voice was full of concern.

Erling gave a brief résumé of Rachael’s fears, and now his own, regarding Kris’s last known whereabouts. ‘I understand he should be at your office tomorrow morning?’ he said.

‘I certainly hope so,’ Eddie said worriedly.

‘And if he doesn’t appear?’ Erling asked.

There was an audible groan from the other end of the phone. ‘In the parlance of my teenage grandson, we’re fucked.’

‘How exactly?’ Erling prodded.

Silence followed as Eddie strove to decide what he might be permitted to say, then, ‘The will, Ivor informed me, stipulates that it may only be read out in the presence of his great-grandson Kris Mowat.’

Erling tried to absorb this, before saying, ‘Is Kris aware of this?’

‘Ivor said he would tell Kris when they met up here in person,’ Eddie said. ‘I understood he was expecting an imminent visit from Kris . . .’

‘But Ivor died before that could happen,’ Erling said, almost to himself. Then, ‘Does Hugh Mowat know about this?’

‘Not from me, although possibly from Ivor himself,’ Eddie said.

‘Are you aware of what is in the will?’ Erling asked what seemed to him to be the million-dollar question.

‘No. Ivor handwrote it and I understand it was witnessed and signed by two of the assistants at the care home. After which it was given, sealed, to me.’