Death of a Valentine Part 27

"Milly, I do not think you are up to any more questioning," said Philomena.

"As long as it isn't that man called Blair, I don't mind. Come in. Please leave us, Philomena."

She led the way into the kitchen. "My name is Hamish Macbeth from Lochdubh," said Hamish.

"Yes, I remember. I phoned you."

"You're probably tired of questions..."

"I don't mind," said Milly, "so long as you don't shout at me."

"I am not the shouting kind."

"Tea?"

"That would be grand."

Milly plugged in the kettle. Hamish moved quickly to the kitchen door and jerked it open. Philomena, who had been leaning against it on the other side, nearly fell into the kitchen. "A bit o' privacy, please," said Hamish, and shut the door in her face.

"I wish I could do that," said Milly mournfully. "She is so like her brother."

"Well, it'll take you a good bit of time to get over your husband's death."

"Milk?"

"No, chust plain. Thank you. Now, Mrs. Davenport, there is one odd thing. Why would your husband leave his wallet behind, or do you think it was taken from his body?"

"I don't know. I don't think he planned to be away for long but it was odd that he said if anyone called looking for him, then to say he had gone abroad."

"That does sound as if he was frightened of someone."

"Well, he did take against people. He had a phone call the evening before. When we lived in Surrey, he did annoy people."

"In what way?"

"Well, he often had get-rich-quick ideas and would try to rope in some of his old army friends. I remember one of them wanted money back and shouted a lot."

"Who was it?"

"I can't rightly remember."

"So he could have tricked someone else out of money?"

"It's possible. Oh, dear. Maybe they'll come looking for me."

"I shouldnae think so. Would you like me to put a guard on the house?"

"It would certainly make me feel better."

"I'll send someone over. It doesn't matter what the weather's like. Keep him outside the house. We'll put him on night duty. Why did you come up here?"

"Henry started going through house advertis.e.m.e.nts for property in the north of Scotland. I didn't want to go. I liked Guildford. We had a nice little bungalow and I had a few friends."

"I want you to think hard and make me out a list of his old army friends. Which regiment?"

"The Surrey Infantry."

"I won't be bothering you anymore just now. I'll call tomorrow. You look as if you could do with some fresh air. Why don't you walk down to the village with me?"

"Philomena doesn't like me a.s.sociating with the locals."

"Then she'll chust need to lump it. Get your coat."

PRAISE FOR.

DEATH OF A VALENTINE.

and M. C. BEATON'S M. C. BEATON'S ACCLAIMED MYSTERIES FEATURING HAMISH MACBETH ACCLAIMED MYSTERIES FEATURING HAMISH MACBETH "Longing for escape? Tired of waiting for Brigadoon to materialize? Time for a trip to Lochdubh, the scenic, if somnolent, village in the Scottish Highlands where M. C. Beaton sets her beguiling whodunits featuring Constable Hamish Macbeth."

-New York Times Book Review "The characters in this story are strong, believable, and interesting. Beaton has again worked her magic, and fans of the series will not be disappointed."

-Midwest Book Review "With residents and a constable so authentic it won't be long before tourists will be seeking Lochdubh and believing in the reality of Hamish Macbeth as surely as they believed in Sherlock Holmes."

-Denver Rocky Mountain News "Written in a simple style with dabs of humor... The Hamish Macbeth series provide a pleasant side trip away from our hectic world."

-Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star (VA) (VA) "Superb entertainment, as rich and warming as a fine malt whisky, and every bit as addictive."

-Houston Chronicle "Macbeth is the sort of character who slyly grows on you."

-Chicago Sun-Times "For those who like their mysteries cozy-though with Beaton the rose-colored gla.s.ses are, as usual, tinged with noir."

-Philadelphia Inquirer "Enjoyable... a satisfying police procedural."

-Publishers Weekly "Liberally laced with humor, this might be the funniest of the series... another delightful addition to the wildly popular series."

-MonstersandCritics.com "The detective novels of M. C. Beaton, a master of outrageous black comedy... have reached cult status in the United States."

-The Times Magazine (London) (London) "With a strong police procedural combined with a comedic romantic subplot, fans will relish the latest Macbeth thriller."

-HarrietKlausner.wwwi.com

"On a scale of one to ten, M. C. Beaton's Constable Hamish Macbeth merits a ten plus."

-Buffalo News "Charming and droll... an amusing look at the shenanigans of a wily and ever-entertaining hero."

-BookReporter.com "Always entertaining... guaranteed to be good for a laugh."

-CottageCountryNow.ca "A satisfying whodunit with nicely dealt clues... [by] the clever Ms. Beaton."

-s.h.i.+ne.yahoo.com "A fun read."

-Woman's World "Beaton's plot and characters are as splendidly cast as the scenic backdrop she has chosen for Lochdubh."

-Des Moines Sunday Register (IA) (IA)

Previous Hamish Macbeth Mysteries by M. C. Beaton

Death of a Witch Death of a Gentle Lady Death of a Maid Death of a Dreamer Death of a Bore Death of a Poison Pen Death of a Celebrity Death of a Dustman Death of an Addict A Highland Christmas Death of a Scriptwriter Death of a Dentist Death of a Macho Man Death of a Nag Death of a Charming Man Death of a Gossip Death of a Cad Death of an Outsider Death of a Perfect Wife Death of a Hussy Death of a Sn.o.b Death of a Prankster Death of a Glutton Death of a Travelling Man