Page 61 of Death on a Scottish Train

She gave me a watery smile. “Thank you, Doctor—on all accounts. I thought I might have had a heart attack earlier.”

I nodded. “It can feel that way when your chest tightens. Anxiety can often come out of nowhere. It has been a very stressful few days with the death of your brother and trying to deal with everything. Even if you had been on the outs, it is obvious you cared about him.”

She sighed, and then shoved a hand through her hair. “I know we weren’t that close, but he was the only family I had left in the world.

“And yes, we’d been estranged because of what happened with my money. But I couldn’t quite write him out of my life. I liked at least knowing he was there.”

“That makes sense.”

“Do you know if they have any idea yet if someone tried to kill him?”

“Even if I knew, I wouldn’t be able to say, as I’m a part of the team investigating his death.”

“Yes, but that says it all, right?”

“What do you mean?”

“If his death hadn’t been suspicious, why investigate? And why keep me out of his home?”

“Those are good questions, and I wish I could answer. I understand you didn’t speak much, but do you know if he had someone else in his life?”

“Like a girlfriend?”

“Or boyfriend.”

She chuckled. “I wouldn’t know, but I doubt it. He never dated even when he was younger. Numbers and trains are all he’s ever cared about. Why do you ask?”

I shrugged. “When we were in his home, he seemed to be a bachelor, but one never knows.”

“Even if he were seeing someone, he wouldn’t have told me.”

“I had to ask,” I said. “Are you feeling better?”

She took a deep breath. “Yes, thank you.”

“Why don’t you come by and see me at the office tomorrow.”

“Oh, I’m not interested in taking medicine. I’m sure this is all temporary.”

“I am, as well. But I thought we might go over some breathing exercises in case it does happen again.”

“Oh. Uh. Thanks, that is kind of you.”

I handed her a card from my bag. “You can make an appointment online or call. It is up to you.”

“Any idea when I’ll be able to take my brother back to Edinburgh?”

“Once the investigation wraps up, and we’ve finished with the testing. I’d say by the end of the week at the earliest.”

She nodded. “It’s weird.”

“What’s that?”

“I’ve been so angry at him for so long, but now I’m sad. I wasted so much time being mad at him. I loved him, and I will miss him.”

“I can imagine. I felt that way when I lost my mom and grandmother. They were the last of my family, and I felt so alone.”

“Is that why you moved across the pond? I mean, it’s obvious you are American.”