Had she been back in Glasgow, the central heating would have kicked on with the timer, allowing her to arrive back to a warm flat. The thought surprised her because it was, she realized, the first time she’d recalled her home in a positive light since she’d come to Skye.

As for the cold welcome they would get at the cottage – no amount of reassurances on her part about how quickly it would heat up once the stove was lit would be enough for a shivering Chrissy.

Rhona wondered if it might be better to stay in Portree tonight, since they were heading out early again in the morning. Then there was the post-mortem to think about. They had conference facilities at the police station, and she could talk McNab into going along to the autopsy and keeping her in the loop. There was so much about the victim’s wounds, especially the old one, that might help give a clearer picture of what the hell was going on here.

The revelation that the dropped necklace may have had its origins in Afghanistan had reminded her of the party of medics, who’d seemingly left A.C.E Target Sports unhurt, only to head off into the wild places of Skye.

Lee had voiced the same thought at the end of the meeting.

‘We’d better check on their whereabouts or at least if they’re still on Skye. See if the Isles have info on any of them.’

Gazing round the busy bar, Rhona spotted her team close to the roaring fire and, by the satisfied expression on Chrissy’s face, it looked as though they’d already been fed. Chrissy was deep in conversation with Donald, while Blaze was performing nearby for a party of tourists keen to have him catch a tennis ball in mid-air.

When Jamie spotted her, he waved Rhona over.

‘We saved a seat for you. And your fish and chips will be here just as soon as I let them know you’ve arrived.’

Glancing round them all, Rhona noted that Alvis was missing.

‘He went upstairs,’ Jamie said. ‘Something about checking in back home in Stavanger. Can I get you something to drink?’

‘Something non-alcoholic. I’ve an hour’s drive ahead of me.’

Now in the warmth, the idea of driving back to the undoubtedly cold cottage only to return first thing tomorrow morning seemed even less appealing. Rhona wondered if Jamie was reading her mind, because he immediately said, ‘You can stay over again if you want.’

Before Rhona could say, ‘What about Chrissy?’ Jamie had supplied her with an answer. ‘There’s a sofa bed in the sitting room.’

When Rhona still hesitated, he added, ‘You’d save Chrissy from a night in the cabin in the woods and –’ he nodded at the hilarity coming from the corner – ‘she does seem to like it here.’

She does indeed, Rhona thought.