McNab came back in. ‘Are there any more bodies up there, Dr MacLeod?’

‘I’ve requested an aerial search to look for any anomalies in ground cover. If there are any in the vicinity, we’ll decide then whether we investigate further.’

32

Magnus had slipped out part-way through Rhona’s contribution. In normal circumstances he would have ignored the vibrating mobile, but when he saw the name on the screen he decided he should take it. His instinct had proved right. From Pat Robertson’s voice when he’d answered, it was obvious this wasn’t just a friendly call, but something more urgent.

‘Magnus. Thanks for picking up. It’s with regard to the appeal that was broadcast earlier about the body they found on the moor. The little girl. Are you involved in any way with the case?’

‘Why?’ Magnus asked cautiously.

‘It’s just that the recovery group you spoke to in Stirling . . .’ Pat hesitated at this point. ‘Marge there – remember Marge? Big, loud . . .’

‘And very friendly. I remember,’ Magnus said.

‘Marge says that Karen Johnston, who’s part of their group, is Karen Marshall, the dead girl’s best friend. Marge says she was convinced the body the police found was Mary, but was too scared to go to them about it.’

‘That’s good news,’ Magnus said. ‘Can you convince her to come in? The police are very keen to talk to her.’

‘That’s just it,’ Pat said. ‘Marge says she was at the recovery cafe today before the TV appeal. The women were trying to help Karen remember what happened on the day Mary disappeared, because it worries her so much that she can’t. Marge says she suddenly freaked out and left in a weird state. Marge doesn’t know if Karen has seen the TV appeal confirming the body was Mary McIntyre and asking folk – in particular Karen – to come forward. They’ve tried calling her mobile, but it just goes to voicemail. So Marge got in touch with me.’

‘Was Karen the woman whose husband had died of dementia?’ Magnus said, recalling the lively exchange among the women at the table. All except one.

‘Karen was sitting almost directly opposite you,’ Pat said. ‘Small, fairish hair. She listened but didn’t ask any questions.’

Magnus did remember her. He’d even spoken to Marge before he left, concerned about how withdrawn Karen had been during their session. Most of the other women had wanted to question him about the psychology involved in many of their troubles, although not Karen.

Marge had told him then about the husband’s illness, explained how Karen had been completely isolated when caring for him. ‘She had her food delivered. She never even went to the shops. Said she couldn’t leave Jack, even for a minute. She would probably have drunk herself to death if she hadn’t come here. That’s what she told me.’

‘So,’ Magnus said to a waiting Pat, ‘what can I do to help?’

Finishing the call, Magnus noted that Rhona must have completed her contribution as the meeting room was beginning to empty. Magnus waited, wondering who he should speak to regarding Pat’s phone call.