‘DI Snyder wants a word with you. Now. He’s in the hall.’

‘Is it about Josh?’

Malcolm shook his head. ‘He wouldn’t say.’

Greg rose and, excusing himself to Joanne, went through to find not only DI Snyder, but DS Reid as well. He knew what they were about to say from their expressions alone.

‘Greg Taylor, I am arresting you under Section 1 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016 for the rape and murder of Ailsa Cummings.’

Joanne

‘They’ve taken him to Inverness police station for questioning.’

Joanne stared blankly at Malcolm, trying to process what he was saying.

‘Why?’ she said stupidly. ‘What’s he done? Is it something to do with Stratton or the guy you think smashed up the hot tub?’

Malcolm had an answer for her, he just didn’t want to say it.

‘He’s being questioned about the rape and murder of Ailsa Cummings.’ Malcolm’s expression when he said this was as incredulous as her own.

She rose, feeling the need to move, to do something. ‘I have to go up there with him. I can take the Land Rover. I haven’t been drinking.’

‘He asked me to give you the keys. He wants you to go back to Beanach and wait for him there,’ Malcolm told her.

‘But . . . but I should go with him.’

Malcolm shook his head. ‘There’s nothing you could do up there. They wouldn’t let you see him anyway.’

She fought back the nausea that filled her throat and accepted the keys, before remembering. ‘We haven’t settled our bill yet.’

Malcolm waved that away. ‘Go home, lassie. We’ll no doubt know more in the morning.’ Taking note of her pallor, he added, ‘I could drive you if you’re not feeling well?’

‘No. It’s okay. I’ll manage.’ Lifting her jacket, she forced herself to walk to the front door, feeling Malcolm’s anxious eyes follow her.

Once outside, she took a deep breath of the night air, willing her stomach to stop churning. This couldn’t be happening, she thought. How could they think that Greg would rape and murder someone? As she slid into the Land Rover, she caught the scent of him.

‘Christ,’ she whispered out loud. ‘Don’t think about it until you get home.’

Home. That was a strange word to use. Beanach wasn’t her home. It was his home. She was a short-term visitor. That was all. She owed Greg nothing. She’d paid for her bed and food with sex. Deliberately stalked him to allow her to come here.

She had to stop on the way up the hill, pulling into the passing place near the Beanach turn-off. Escaping the vehicle just in time, she vomited up her meal.

The worst over, she resumed her journey, aware now that she could put off the pregnancy test no longer.

If it proves to be positive, what will you do?