Urged out, McNab found his feet on terra firma, albeit a decidedly wet terra firma, and following Janice’s lead, he made his way towards a couple of parked police vehicles.

Minutes later he was being greeted by Sergeant Lee MacDonald, whom he’d been in touch with since Rhona had come back to the island.

‘Detective Sergeant McNab, it’s good to finally meet you.’

McNab took the firm handshake offered, while ignoring the questioning look being thrown at him by Janice as to how they were already acquainted.

‘And this is?’

Janice, having regained her composure, introduced herself.

‘Let me welcome you both to Skye,’ the sergeant said, as he ushered them towards his vehicle, ‘although I wish it was under different circumstances. Have you been here before?’ he asked Janice as she and McNab settled themselves in the back seat.

‘No, always wanted to, though. The scenery’s pretty magnificent.’

‘A top-ranking worldwide destination now that folk have seen some of the images posted online.’

‘And in the movies,’ Janice said.

‘We like the visitors, but they can cause problems at some of the most popular spots, and they don’t know how to drive on single-track roads.’

‘McNab knows all about that,’ Janice said. ‘He headed up a team to Sanday in Orkney for a while.’

‘Really?’ the sergeant looked surprised. ‘With the nearest police station being an hour and a half away by ferry in Kirkwall, that couldn’t have been easy.’

When McNab didn’t respond, he continued, ‘The conference room at the station’s to be your base, and we’ve booked you both accommodation at the Isles hotel, just across from us in Somerled Square. You’ll have a vehicle, of course, and as much help as we can spare.’

‘And Dr MacLeod?’ Janice asked, with a sideways look at McNab.

‘Rhona was staying in town last night at Jamie McColl’s place, five minutes away from the station. So she’s likely there now. Chrissy might take a little longer to arrive.’

‘Where’s Chrissy then?’ McNab said, finding himself slightly peeved by the first-name basis of the conversation.

Sergeant MacDonald smiled at them via the overhead mirror.

‘She’s been staying out at A.C.E Target Sports with Donald and Blaze.’

‘That’s her new forensic assistant, or so I hear?’ Janice said.

‘Aye, Blaze makes a fine police dog, although he’s not one of our own.’ Sergeant MacDonald hesitated. ‘Before we arrive, I think I should fill you in on the background of Paul Watson and Skye.’

‘I’ve read a fair bit about his dealings here,’ Janice immediately said. ‘And Detective Sergeant McNab brought his case to court.’

‘I understand that, but we’ll have to tread carefully locally. There were a lot of folk here whose families were damaged by that man. And many will be privately celebrating his demise.’

‘Enough to organize it?’ McNab butted in.