Page 43 of Death at a Scottish Halloween

“No,” I said. “He’s injured. Whatever he’s done, it’s best you go tell the Constable.”

“He’s on the way,” Mara said.

The man on the floor waved me away. “I’m fine. But I’m pressing charges.”

“You do that,” Baird warned. “I’m happy to tell the Constable everything. We’ll see how much longer you have a job.”

If looks could kill, Baird would be dead.

“I’m a doctor, and if I don’t straighten out that nose, it will be crooked for the rest of your life.” I was doing my best to diffuse the situation.

He coughed, and his hand filled with blood.

“Head wounds are always the worst. Let me help you.” I bent to grab his arm and help him up onto the stool. I was no more a fan of the man than Baird, but I’d taken an oath.

The door opened again, and Duncan’s sister came into the pub. She took one look and ran to Baird. “This isn’t the way to do it,” she whispered to him. “Come on.”

“He deserves so much more,” Baird grumbled.

“We’ll talk to the police.”

“They were there, and the Constable didn’t do anything. Robert lies as easy as he speaks.”

“There’s a reason you’re no longer on my rig,” the boss grunted. “No one will believe you.”

I did. The guys in the booth stared down at their empty drinks as if wanting to be as far away from the trouble as possible.

It was more than obvious this guy was a bully.

After she tugged on Baird’s arm for a bit, he followed Isobel out of the pub. They passed Ewan as he came inside.

“Quick, you need to catch Baird,” the boss said.

“I need to know what happened.” Ewan’s eyebrows went up.

He glanced at me. “I didn’t see exactly how it started,” I said.

Then he looked at Mara, and she shrugged.

“You saw him punch me,” he said angrily. “I’m pressing charges. Everyone saw what happened.”

“I suggest you let the doctor fix your face,” Ewan said. He had so much authority in his voice. “Then we’ll talk. I do know that the man who left here and Duncan’s sister are mourning. I’m certain you wouldn’t want to cause them more grief.”

This time, Ewan was the one who received the death stare.

“It might be a good idea for you to come back to the station tomorrow morning, say ten? I received some new information and was on my way to find you. And may I remind you all,” he glanced at the guys in the booth, “lying to the police is an offence. I will seek the full penalty of the law if I find out you didn’t tell me the truth.”

Ewan stood there until the boss nodded.

“It isn’t broken,” I said. I taped his nose and cleaned the surrounding area with antiseptic. “But you’ll want to be careful until it heals. You will most likely have a couple of black eyes. If it starts to bleed again, or if you suffer any headaches, my office is up the hill behind the pub.”

I took off the gloves that had been in the first aid kit, though I kept my own in my bag. I’d wanted to stay between the two men.

Thank you, Mara mouthed. Then she turned to the man. “I’d like you and your friends to pay your tab and leave, now.”

There was a fair amount of grumbling, but the men shuffled out.

When they’d left, Ewan sat down at the bar.