Page 35 of The High Island

Erling confirmed this. ‘I’m here to ask you about the recent death of Ivor Mowat.’

‘Ivor Mowat? The elderly gentleman at the care home, whose funeral took place recently?’ Dr Liddell checked, a look of concern on his face. ‘May I ask why?’

‘Cathy McCue, one of his carers, told me that there were no signs of a deteriorating condition prior to his death. In fact, he was as lively as ever and very keen to see his great-grandson who was due to arrive in Orkney.’

‘I didn’t know Mr Mowat personally. He was Dr Stewart’s patient until he retired. Let me check his medical record,’ Dr Liddell said, turning to his computer.

Erling waited as the doctor completed his search.

‘Right. It says here that on his last check-up by Dr Stewart, Mr Mowat was found to be in very good health for his age, although he was showing some evidence of memory loss and mobility issues.’

‘How long ago was that?’ Erling asked.

‘Just prior to me arriving in Orkney, so three months or thereabouts.’

‘And you weren’t called to Ivor at any time during the intervening period?’

‘No. I’ve visited the home a couple of times, once for a death and once for a case of flu. But never for Mr Mowat.’

‘So you had no reason to believe that Ivor was shortly to die?’

‘The home would have called me if there had been any worries on that score. But,’ he added, ‘Ivor was ninety-six.’

‘Can I ask what you wrote on the death certificate?’ Erling asked.

‘Cardiovascular degeneration, which is a catch-all term for the things that go wrong as we age.’

‘So not heart failure?’ Erling checked.

‘No, that term would no longer be permissible on a death certificate.’

‘When were you called out to the home exactly?’

‘Just before midnight, as I recall. One of the care home staff checked on Mr Mowat and didn’t like the look of him. I was called and certified death. After which the body was bagged and taken tothe hospital mortuary.’ Noting Erling’s expression, he added, ‘You’re worried there was something irregular about his death?’

‘I take it there wasn’t a post-mortem?’ Erling said.

‘There was no reason for one to be held.’

Erling gave a nod to this, conscious that the young doctor was becoming increasingly concerned about this line of questioning. He decided to change tack.

‘Hugh Mowat, Ivor’s eldest son, has indicated that he plans to countermand a sale of land his father made just prior to his death. A sale that the family were not made aware of. He maintains Ivor was not of sound mind when he did this.’

‘Is that the land on Hoy everyone’s talking about?’ the doctor said.

Erling confirmed this. ‘You may be called on to give evidence as to Ivor’s state of mind regarding this,’ he said.

‘Since Dr Stewart wrote the last health report on Ivor, he would be the one to ask about that.’ The relief in Dr Liddell’s voice was obvious. ‘Should it come to court, that is.’

Erling rose then and, thanking the doctor, said, ‘This may all go away, or not, but thank you for your time, Doctor.’

‘If it doesn’t go away?’

‘If we deem there are grounds for suspicion around Ivor’s death, then we will order an exhumation and a post-mortem.’

They shook hands again, before Erling said, ‘I trust you’re happy with your move to Orkney?’

Dr Liddell’s face relaxed into a smile. ‘I am, especially now that we’re heading into summer.’