Free The Blackhouse by Peter May Page A

of it, just as he relished each year the rich flavour of the wild salmon during the poaching season. His father always managed to acquire a bird or two, and the family would feast on them in the first week. There were those who would store them in kegs of salt water and ration them through the year. But stored like that, they became too gamey for Fin’s taste, and the salt would burn his mouth. He liked them fresh from the rock, served with potatoes and washed down with milk.
    â€œYou ever tasted the guga?” he said to Gunn.
    â€œAye. My mother had Ness connections, and we usually managed to get a bird every year.”
    â€œSo these Allies for Animals are trying to stop the trip?”
    â€œAye, they are.”
    â€œAngel was a regular on the rock, wasn’t he?” Fin remembered that the only time he had been among the twelve men of Crobost, it was already Angel’s second time there. The memory was like a shadow passing over him.
    â€œRegular as clockwork. He was the cook.”
    â€œSo he wouldn’t take too kindly to someone trying to sabotage it.”
    â€œHe didn’t.” Gunn shook his head. “And neither did anyone else. Which is why we couldn’t find anyone who saw what happened.”
    â€œDid he do much damage?”
    â€œA lot of bruising about the body and face. A couple of broken ribs. Nothing too serious. But the boy’ll remember it for a while.”
    â€œSo why’s he still here?”
    â€œBecause he’s still hoping to stop the trawler from taking the men out to the rock. Mad bloody fool! There’s a bunch of activists arriving on the ferry tomorrow.”
    â€œWhen are they due to leave for An Sgeir?” Just forming the words in his mouth sent a slight shiver through Fin’s body.
    â€œSometime in the next day or two. Depending on the weather.”
    They had reached the far end of the beach, and Fin started climbing up over the rock.
    â€œI’m not really wearing the right footwear for this, Mr. Macleod.” Gunn slid dangerously on slick black rock.
    â€œI know a way up to the top of the cliff from here,” Fin said. “Come on, it’s easy.”
    Gunn scrambled after him, almost on his hands and knees as they struggled up a narrow scree path that cut back on itself before leading to a series of natural, if uneven, steps that took them finally to the top. From here they could see across the machair to where the houses of Crobost nestled in the dip of the cliff road, gathered around the grim, dominating presence of the Free Church where Fin had spent so many cold and miserable childhood Sundays. The sky behind it was blackening for rain, and Fin could smell it on the wind, just as he had done as a child. He was exhilarated by the climb, and enjoyed the soft pummelling of the stiffening breeze, all thoughts of An Sgeir banished. Gunn was breathless, and concerned by the scuffs on his shiny black shoes. “Haven’t done that in a long time,” Fin said.
    â€œI’m a townie, Mr. Macleod.” Gunn was gasping. “I’ve never done that.”
    Fin smiled. “It’s good for you, George.” He was feeling better than he had in quite a while. “So, do you think your animal rights man murdered Angel Macritchie in revenge for his beating?”
    â€œNo, I don’t. He’s not the type. He’s a bit …” He searched for the right word. “Fey. You know what I mean?” Fin nodded thoughtfully. “But I’ve been around long enough, Mr. Macleod, to know that the most unlikely people sometimes commit the most terrible crimes.”
    â€œAnd he comes from Edinburgh.” Fin was thoughtful. “Has anyone checked to see if he has an alibi for the Leith Walk murder?”
    â€œNo, sir.”
    â€œMight be an idea. DNA evidence will rule him in or out of the Macritchie killing, but that’ll take a day or two. Maybe I should have a word with