Page 79 of Death at a Scottish Halloween

“Bless her little heart,” Mrs. Beatty said and then weepily went to the kitchen.

“Maybe you can come back and visit some time,” I said.

“I hope so. I like it here. Everyone is nice.”

“I haven’t lived here very long, but I agree,” I said. “I thought I’d go and say goodbye to your mom. I’ll let you two get back to your game.”

I headed upstairs. I knocked softly. There were footsteps, and then Flora opened the door. “Doctor, is something wrong?”

“No. I wanted to come tell you goodbye, and to let you know that everything went fine this afternoon. Your husband should be at the funeral home shortly.” That sounded odd, but she smiled.

“Thank you. I’m glad you came by. I was going to call. I have so many questions.”

“Oh?”

“I’ve had such brain fog. I don’t know if it’s from the pregnancy or just everything that has gone on. But no one has told me exactly what happened. Or I don’t remember if you did. Only that you found he had diabetes. Come in and have a seat. Our ride doesn’t arrive for an hour or so.”

I followed her inside.

“The brain fog isn’t uncommon throughout pregnancy, but you’ve also been under so much stress. I wouldn’t worry too much about the forgetfulness.”

“Thank you. I don’t remember it being this bad with Elsie. You’re probably right about the stress. I’m still trying to wrap my head around doing this without my husband.” Her eyes watered.

I reached across the sofa and patted her hand. “You are so strong and such a wonderful mom. Even with everything, you’ve made certain sweet Elsie is taken care of and happy. She’s downstairs beating the pants off Officer Akif in checkers.”

She smiled. “He’s a saint, that man. I found out he hasn’t lived here that long, and they stuck him looking after us, but he’s so kind. I wanted to meet his daughters, but I hear they have strep.”

“It’s been going around the high school here. But they are a lovely family. Now, ask me whatever you want.”

“First, what exactly happened to my husband? How did he die?”

“It was his heart. There was an excess of adrenaline in his body, but we aren’t certain exactly why that was. He had been running, and …”

“Please, tell me everything.”

“He bought an apothecary set at one of the estate sales.” I showed her a picture on my phone.

“Oh, those old bottles are big sellers in the shop. People love them.”

“Right. I can see why. The problem is, there was poison left in the bottles. Residual poison but enough to cause hallucinations. We think he accidentally touched some of it. He may have been hallucinating and had a scare. At least, that’s what his body told me. His heart was weakened from the untreated diabetes and gave out.”

She sobbed. I handed her a tissue from my bag.

“I hate that he may have been scared at the end.”

“I know it doesn’t help, but he wasn’t himself when he died.”

“But he was alone. Do you know who or what scared him? Do the police know?”

“There are several avenues of inquiry right now,” I’d learned that line from Ewan. It was a way of saying we had no idea or too many suspects. “Hopefully, as they go through the CCTV of the night, they’ll see something. But he may have just seen something that scared him. In his state of mind … It’s impossible to know. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” she said. “You’ve been nothing but kind. It may seem strange but finding out I’m pregnant has helped. Knowing I have Elsie and another part of my luv, it makes the pain a bit better. You and your friends have been so kind. It’s just …”

“What?”

“With the other Duncan Craig dying—It made me wonder if his death wasn’t an accident. ”

“I promise, as soon as we have some answers, I’ll let you know. Are you happy to be going home?”