Death of a Charming Man Read Free

out much heat. Milk and sugar?’
    ‘Just black,’ said Hamish, beginning to feel more at ease.
    ‘I’m building a kitchen at the back,’ said Peter, taking down two mugs.
    ‘What are you doing in the garden?’ asked Hamish.
    ‘Digging drains and a cesspool. I plan to have a flushing toilet and a bathroom. You’ve no idea what it’s like when you want a pee in the middle of the night and have to go out to that hut in the garden.’
    ‘You might find it difficult to get help,’ said Hamish. ‘The locals can be a bit standoffish.’
    Peter looked surprised. ‘On the contrary, I’ve had more offers of help than I can cope with. People are very kind. I didn’t know we had a policeman.’
    ‘You don’t. I’m over at Lochdubh. This is part of my beat.’
    ‘Much crime?’
    ‘Verra quiet, I’m glad to say.’
    ‘Macbeth, Macbeth. That rings a bell. Oh, I know. You’ve been involved in some murder cases up here.’
    ‘Yes, but I am hoping neffer to be involved in another. Thank you for the coffee.’
    Peter sat down opposite Hamish and stretched like a cat. A good thing there were no young women in Drim, thought Hamish, with this heart-breaker around.
    ‘Do you plan to stay here?’ he asked curiously.
    ‘Yes, why not?’
    ‘But you’re a young man. There’s nothing for you here.’
    ‘On the contrary, I think I’ve found what I’m looking for.’
    ‘That being?’
    There was a slight hesitation. Hamish shivered suddenly. ‘Tranquillity,’ said Peter vaguely. ‘Building things, working with my hands.’
    Hamish finished his coffee and got up to leave.
    ‘Come again,’ said Peter and again there was that blinding smile.
    Hamish smiled back. ‘Aye, I will that, and maybe next time I’ll give you a hand.’
    Hamish walked away from the cottage still smiling, but as he reached the car parked in the village his smile faded. He gave himself a little shake. There was no doubt that Peter Hynd possessed great charm. But out of his orbit, Hamish found himself almost disliking the man, almost afraid of him, and wondered why. With a little sigh he opened the passenger door for Towser to leap in, before getting into the driver’s seat.
    His spirits lifted when he drove up the hill out of Drim and into the sunshine. There was no need to go back to Drim for some time, no need at all.
    He parked the hotel car in the forecourt of Tommel Castle and then walked into the hotel and handed the keys to Mr Johnston.
    ‘Priscilla’s back,’ said the hotel manager. ‘Will I let her know you’re here?’
    ‘No, no,’ said Hamish. ‘I’ve got my chores to do. I’ll phone her later.’
    He hurried off. Five minutes later Priscilla walked into the hotel office. ‘Someone told me they had seen Hamish and Towser walking off,’ she said.
    ‘Aye, he said he couldnae wait. He had chores to do.’
    ‘I wonder what those could be,’ said Priscilla cynically. ‘All he’s got to do is put the dinner I left him in his new oven. Did he tell you about the electric cooker?’
    ‘Yes, he did mention it. Did you ask him if he wanted a new cooker?’
    ‘No, why? There was no reason to. That old stove was a disgrace.’
    ‘I think he liked it,’ said Mr Johnston cautiously. ‘Cosy in the winter.’
    ‘He’s got central heating now.’
    ‘Aye, but there’s nothing like a real fire. You won’t change Hamish, Priscilla.’
    ‘I am not trying to change him,’ snapped Priscilla. ‘You forget, I’m going to have to live in that police station myself.’
    ‘Oh, well, suit yourself.’
    ‘In fact, I might just run down there. I left the instruction booklet for the new cooker on the table, but you know Hamish.’
    ‘Aye, he’s a grown man and not a bairn.’
    Priscilla fidgeted nervously with a pencil on the desk. ‘Nonetheless, I’ll just go and see how he’s doing.’
    Mr Johnston shook his head sadly after she had left. It was as if the usually cool and calm Priscilla had taken up a cause and that cause was