‘I thought there was some local opposition to the plans.’

‘Incomers,’ Sinclair said. ‘They’re more interested in the view than in providing a livelihood for our people. And Francis Watt, who’d have us all still cutting our crops with a scythe and milking our cows by hand, writing his nonsense in the Shetland Times.’

‘This should mean jobs for Shetlanders then?’

‘That’s the plan. The scheme will be evaluated by a scientist from RGU in Aberdeen. He was up the other day.’

‘And the Fiscal?’ Willow asked. ‘What’s her role in the working group?’

‘Ah,’ he said. ‘Rhona Laing is an ambitious woman. She gets on top of a subject quickly and easily. Shetland suits her fine at the moment, but I’d not be surprised if she moves on before long. We’re too far from the centre of power for her. Let’s say that she has a game plan for the future. Gaining knowledge and influence in an area that’ll increase in importance is part of that plan. And from the working group’s perspective, it’s always useful to have a lawyer on board.’

The mist had turned into a fine drizzle.

‘Can we see the hatchery?’ This was Sandy, wanting to get inside and out of the wet.

‘Sure.’ Sinclair led them down the path, past the pier towards a low shed. A shingle bank protected it from the water.

‘Who’s providing the finance?’ The question had come to Willow as they approached the building. The roof was missing stone tiles and the walls were crumbling in places. It would take considerable funds to get this weathertight.

‘It’s a partnership project,’ Sinclair said, ‘between the Islands Council and a number of private investors.’ He answered immediately and the words were smooth and easy, but she sensed a slight discomfort. And he unbolted the door to the hatchery and pushed it open too quickly, as if he hoped to distract them.

‘And who are the major investors?’ Willow stood on the threshold and looked in. A smell of damp and something faintly chemical. There was mould on the stone flags and oily puddles where the roof had leaked.

Sinclair said nothing.

‘You must know,’ she persisted. ‘You’re part of the working group.’

‘We put together a consortium,’ he said. ‘Local people. We see water power as the technology of the future and we want a part of it.’

‘So you’ve put money into the project? You didn’t see that as a conflict of interest, as a member of the working party?’ Willow wished she knew how these things worked and what was normal.