M.C. Beaton: Death of a Witch

Hamish went there and rang the bell. A thin, faded blonde woman wearing too much make-up answered the door. “I am Police Constable Macbeth from Lochdubh,” said Hamish. “Might I be having a wee word with Sky?”

“What’s she done?”

“Nothing as far as I know,” said Hamish mildly. “Am I talking to Sky’s mother?”

“Yes.”

“When’s her birthday?”

“Tenth o’ June. Why are you asking?”

Hamish’s heart felt suddenly heavy. “Never mind. Just call her.”

“Go in and have a seat. I’ll get her.”

After a few moments, Sky slouched in. She was a sulky-looking girl, chewing a great wad of gum. Her hair was dyed an improbable red and she was thin to the point of anorexia.

“You lied to me,” said Hamish severely.

“I did not. I member that fellow fine.”

“It was not your birthday for a start. Your birthday was in June.”

“I just said that to make you believe me. But he was in that day, honest.”

“So what makes you sure it was that day?”

“I was going to go clubbing in Strathbane that evening but the mist got so bad, me and my friends didn’t go.”

“There have been other foggy days,” said Hamish severely. “You shouldnae ever lie to the police. If I find out Fergus wasnae in your café, I’ll be back to arrest you for wasting police time.”

♦

Hamish drove back to Lochdubh. He parked on the waterfront and walked up to Fergus’s cottage. Fergus ushered him in. “A dram, Hamish?”

“No. This is serious. That girl at the café, she lied about the day she saw you being her birthday. Did you get to her in any way? Pay her?”

“Hamish, what are you talking about? I was there!”

“I’m right worried, Fergus. The one thing that connects the four women in a way is you. You stood to gain money if your husband-beating wife died. You visited Catriona and Fiona.”

“Och, Hamish. Will this never end?”

“I’ll need to go over all your alibis again. I’ll go to that paper mill tomorrow and warn that foreman if he’s been lying for you, I’ll have him arrested.”

Fergus looked weary. “Do what you must. I’ve had enough. I’ve protested ma innocence over and over again. I’m going to phone the lawyer. I need protection.”

“I think you do.” Hamish turned in the doorway. A sudden thought struck him. Looking back at Fergus, he couldn’t believe the man guilty of anything.

“Fergus, do you know of any other man in Lochdubh who’s being beaten by his wife?”

Fergus gave a harsh laugh. “Try next door.”

“What, the Framonts? Why didn’t you tell me this?”

“It’s husband beating. It’s no’ murder.”

♦

Hamish stood outside Fergus’s house. Could it be? Could it possibly be?

He went to the Framonts’ and rang the bell. Colin answered the door. He had a burn mark on the side of his face.

“How did you get that burn?” asked Hamish.

“Got it at work,” said Colin.

“Can I come in? I’d like a word with you and the wife.”

“Tilly’s not here.”

“Where is she?”

“She’s gone up to the hotel.”

“Why?”

“Women’s stuff. She wants Elspeth Grant to read her horoscope.”

Hamish stared at him and then wheeled about and began to run down to his Land Rover as fast as he could.

He drew out his mobile phone as soon as he got into the vehicle. No signal. He put on the siren and raced off out of the village.

MR. JOHNSON PHONED Elspeth, who was working in her room. “Mrs. Framont is at the reception. She wants to come up and see you.”

“Why?”

“She wants her horoscope read.”

Elspeth felt gooseflesh rising on her arms. “Tell her to wait in the lounge. I’ll be down soon. First, has the colonel got an old flak jacket anywhere?”

“He’s away but I’ll ask Priscilla.”

“Tell her to phone me if she’s got one.”

“What…?”

“Please just do it.”

Elspeth waited nervously. She tried the phone. Still dead.

Then there was a knock at the door. “Who is it?” she called.

“It’s me, Priscilla.”

Elspeth opened the door. “What do you want with this?” asked Priscilla, holding out an old flak jacket.

“Help me on with it and I’ll tell you.”

♦

Elspeth entered the lounge. She was wearing the flak jacket under an old sweater. Fortunately the colonel had last worn his flak jacket years ago when he was a slim young officer.

“Miss Grant,” said Tilly. “I’m right sorry to bother you but I mind you from the days when you did the horoscopes for the Highland Times and I wonder if I could have a reading.”

“Please sit down. No, sit opposite me. I don’t do readings.” Elspeth had a sudden inspiration. “But I read palms. Hold out your hands.”

All the while Elspeth was thinking, She can’t be a murderer. She looks so small and inoffensive. But Tilly’s eyes were glittering with an odd light. She held out her hands.

♦

Hamish had nearly reached the hotel when he saw the lights of a car racing towards him. He slowed down and saw that Priscilla was the driver. He stopped. She climbed out of her car, shouting, “Tilly Framont’s at the hotel getting Elspeth to tell her horoscope.”

“I know,” Hamish shouted back. “Let me past.” Priscilla swung her car to the side of the one-track road and Hamish roared off past her.

♦

Elspeth stared down at the pair of housework-reddened hands and said, “I see violence and murder in your hands, Mrs. Framont.”

Three guests came into the lounge. Tilly snatched her hands away. “You’re nothing but a fraud,” she said. She got up and began to march away. Elspeth followed her. She desperately wanted Tilly to do or say something to betray herself. Tilly went out of the hotel and walked towards her car.

“Well, good night,” said Elspeth, and she turned to walk back into the hotel.

A police siren sounded. Driving into the hotel, Hamish Macbeth thought he would never forget the sight that met his eyes.

As Elspeth turned away, Tilly took a pair of scissors out of her pocket, ran forward, and stabbed Elspeth viciously in the back.

Elspeth fell face-forward in the snow.

Hamish jumped down from the Land Rover and grabbed Tilly and threw her to the ground. She screamed and clawed at him. He finally got handcuffs on her. Mr. Johnson came running out. Priscilla drove up and got out of her car. She and Hamish ran to Elspeth.

“Help me up,” said Elspeth.

“Let’s get you to the hospital fast,” said Hamish.

“It’s all right,” said Elspeth. “She didn’t get me. I’m wearing one of the colonel’s old flak jackets.”

Hamish rounded on Mr. Johnson. “Why was Elspeth left alone with this woman?”

“I told them to,” said Elspeth. “I thought I would be safe.”

Perry came running out. “What’s happened?”

“Oh, Perry,” said Elspeth and burst into tears. He wrapped his arms around her.

“Hamish, the phones are back on,” said Mr. Johnson.

“Right. Help me get her into the office and I’ll get Jimmy ower from Strathbane.”

♦

In the office with ex-policeman Clarry taking notes, Hamish switched on the small tape recorder he always carried with him and charged Tilly with attempted culpable homicide. She had subsided into a mutinous silence.

Hamish tried question after question but she just stared at him defiantly.

At last Hamish picked up the phone and, consulting his notebook, dialled Colin Framont’s number. “Colin, I have arrested your wife,” he said. “Come up to the hotel.”

“No,” said Tilly. “You have no right to bring him here.”

“I have every right.”