Page 49 of The High Island

She appeared to have mustered herself after the surprise and trauma of Kris’s written declaration. ‘Kris was wary of the Mowatfamily,’ she said. ‘Not his great-grandfather, though. He liked Ivor. They spoke a lot on the phone. Kris really wanted to meet him in person. I only realized how much on the journey up here.’

‘Did Kris have any idea that Ivor planned to make him his heir?’ Eddie asked.

‘I don’t think so. I also don’t think he knew the Mowats were important or wealthy. He did say, though, that Ivor was very fond of his granddaughter Betty, Kris’s mum, and very sad when she left Hoy.’

‘You understand that, before this goes any further, we need to verify Kris’s identity as a bona fide member of the Mowat family?’ Erling said. ‘Do you have any documents, passport, driving licence, credit cards, that would help us do that?’

She shook her head. ‘Kris took his wallet and passport with him when he left. And his phone. That’s why I could only give you photographs I’d taken of him with my mobile.’

‘What about his mother, Betty Mowat?’ Eddie said.

‘I toldDSGreen all I knew about her. That she died when Kris was nine, after which he was brought up in care. He said he never knew his dad.’

‘Can I ask what Kris does for a living?’ Erling tried.

‘He was –is,’ she corrected herself, ‘self-employed. DJing in clubs mainly, with the nameKCM. Trance music. That’s how we met,’ she added with a soft smile.

‘And you, Rachael?’

‘I’m an agency nurse. Working mostly in care homes. That’s how I could take time off to come here with Kris.’

‘You two were living together?’

‘At Kris’s place,’ she confirmed. ‘I can give you the address,’ she offered.

‘Do that. Now, have you any idea how Ivor found Kris? Or maybe Kris found Ivor?’ Erling said.

She shook her head. ‘None. Kris never mentioned that.’

‘The box Ivor left for Kris,’ Erling went on. ‘We’d like to keep it for the moment. Until we know the outcome of theDNAtest.’ He didn’t say that if the dead man on Hoy was Kris, then the box and its contents might turn out to be evidence in a murder enquiry.

‘I’m happy for you to have it,’ Rachael said. ‘If that’s okay?’ she added in Eddie’s direction.

‘The police station is the best place for it under the circumstances,’ he assured her.

Their discussion at an end, Erling told Eddie he’d be in touch, then offered to walk Rachael out.

Handing the box to the waiting constable, he told him to take it back to the evidence room and informDSGreen he’d be with her shortly.

‘So,’ he said to Rachael. ‘Are you heading back to Stromness?’

‘I’m going to have a coffee at the St Magnus cafe first, then call for a taxi.’ She hesitated, before adding, ‘The thing is, Inspector, I think Kris felt he had to go into hiding from the Mowats, and you can see why. All those angry men in that room. They wanted him dead before they knew what was in the will. They’ll want it even more now.’

Erling found himself thinking the exact same thing.

22

Jo replaced the receiver onDIFlett’s office phone, then stood for a moment, trying to regain her composure.

Erling had said he had calls to make before heading to the lawyer’s office, but he hadn’t told her he was planning to ask for back-up from Highland and Islands Division. And now someone was coming. And that someone wasDSGus Gowan.

Someone she’d hoped, no, prayed, never to see again.

She contemplated whether she should reveal this to Erling, or alternatively behave in a professional manner by keeping her mouth shut and getting on with her job.

They did need extra manpower this weekend. That had been obvious in the strategy meeting. And a seasoned detective like . . .him. . . Jo found herself unable to say his name out loud. Or even think it.

What if it had been his voice on the call she’d just taken? What would she have done then?