Ben nodded. ‘I went to the house. There are signs that Boonzie was there before me. And the vehicle is gone. That’s good enough for me. I have the registration, if you want it.’

She gave a crooked kind of smile. ‘I’m the police, Mr Hope. I think I can get hold of that information. But thank you.’

‘You can call me Ben.’

‘Okay, Ben. It’s too soon to launch a full-on Missing Persons investigation, but we can notify local officers to be on the lookout for the camper. How long do you think he’s had it for?’

‘Probably since immediately after you met him in Fort William. He’d have returned to Ewan’s place to start putting his plans together, and he’d have wanted his own transport.’

She nodded. ‘Last I saw him, he was heading back to Kinlochardaich by bus.’

‘And as far as I know, nobody’s seen or heard from him since,’ Ben said. ‘Which leaves open certain possibilities.’

‘Such as?’

‘Well, for one thing, he has a serious heart condition.’

‘Shit. I didn’t know that. He seemed in great health for a man his age.’

‘Nor did I, until yesterday.’

‘You think he might have suffered some medical issue?’

‘That’s one option. The one his wife Mirella is mostly concerned about. I’m concerned about it too. But I also think he might have got into another sort of trouble. Seems there’s a lot of that going on around here. First Ewan McCulloch’s business partner, then Ewan himself. Now his uncle.’

Grace looked pensive. She sighed. ‘I warned him not to go asking too many questions. I told him I was worried he could get hurt.’

‘Why would you tell him that?’

‘Because he was convinced that what happened to Ross Campbell and Ewan was connected. And because until we catch the men who attacked Ewan, there are some right nasty bastards out there.’

‘Is there a connection?’

She shook her head. ‘That’s a confidential police matter. I can’t discuss it with you.’

‘Do the police have any potential leads on Ewan’s attackers?’

‘Same reply. In any case it’s not my investigation. I’m out of that loop.’

‘Who’s in charge of it?’

‘My same two superiors who spoke with Boonzie, Detective Inspector Fergus Macleod and Detective Sergeant Jim Coull.’

‘You might be out of the loop, but you still have a personal interest in knowing what happened to him. You must have some idea.’

‘As far as I’m aware, no suspects have emerged yet. I’m sticking my neck out telling you even that much. Believe me, I wish I knew more.’

‘So do I,’ Ben said. ‘If only to persuade me I’m wrong. I don’t like the way this picture is coming together so far.’

‘If you have information to share, I should hear it.’

‘Even though you won’t divulge any to me?’