Free Never Go Back by Robert Goddard Page A

platform at the top of the tower. The gilded weathercock on the next turret was shimmering in the sun, the flag of St Andrew above them stirring lazily in the slightest of breezes. A golden hue had been cast over the ruckled carpet of farmland around the castle, while the mountains to the north and west and the undersides of the clouds were purpling in the evening light.
    Waitresses were on hand with champagne and canapes. Matthews, the hotel manager, was schmoozing with his guests. There was laughter amid the burble of conversation and the popping of corks. A phrase drifted into Harry’s ear as he accepted a glass of bubbly and took a first sip. ‘Crooked would have wanted us to carry on, I’ll bet.’ The words were Judd’s, but there were nods and murmurs of endorsement all round.
    ‘Do you think it’s true?’
    Harry turned to find Erica standing close beside him, looking intently at him as she rotated her nearly empty glass back and forth by the stem. Judd for one, Harry sensed, would approve of the closer fitting outfit she was wearing this evening — and its lower neckline. ‘Hello,’ he said, smiling. ‘Isn’t it lovely up here?’
    She smiled back at him. ‘It is.’
    ‘As for Peter, I don’t know. It’s the sort of thing people say, isn’t it?’
    ‘Yes. So, here’s another platitude. Tell me about your day. Braemar, Balmoral, Craigievar and a pub somewhere in the middle, according to Johnny. Is that right?’
    ‘Spot-on.’
    ‘All new territory for you?’
    ‘Absolutely. Professor Mac and your boss kept us chained to our desks. There were no jaunts into the countryside during Operation Clean Sheet.’
    ‘And getting out onto this roof with its unforgettable views is a first too?’
    ‘Not according to some,’ Tancred cut in, rounding a corner of the balustrade to join them and flashing Erica a raffish smile. ‘Jabber’s just been telling Magister and me that he’s been up here before.’
    ‘Really?’ Harry watched Erica’s gaze slide past Tancred towards Lloyd and Wiseman. ‘How did that come about?’
    ‘He was more than somewhat vague as to specifics. Indeed, it may be no more than stress-induced déjà vu. He hasn’t had the carefree day the rest of us have enjoyed, after all. I certainly don’t envy him his visit to the mortuary in Dundee. Are you familiar with the city of jam, jute and journalism, Erica?’
    ‘Not at all. Actually, excuse me, will you? Dr Starkie’s looking lost.’ And with that she was gone, threading a path through the Clean Sheeters and waitresses towards Dr Starkie, who was standing alone near the flagpole.
    ‘I think you frightened her off, Tapper,’ said Harry.
    ‘Nonsense. More likely my arrival on the scene was the excuse she was waiting for to shake you off.’
    ‘If you say so.’
    ‘What she sees in that bloodless creep Starkie I can’t imagine.’
    ‘A mentor, I should think.’
    ‘Should you? Well, your judgement isn’t exactly flawless, is it, Ossie? Choosing Fission as a business partner doesn’t say much for your powers of discrimination. From what Jabber’s been telling us, he’s still up to his old tricks. What was it? Chipchase Sheltered Holdings Ltd? Were you involved in that?’
    ‘No. I wasn’t. Were you?’
    ‘Certainly not.’
    ‘No reason to be so tetchy, then, is there?’
    ‘What?’
    ‘You’d be more of an expert than me on the etiquette of occasions like this, Tapper, but isn’t the idea to have a pleasant little chat over a glass of champoo and admire the view?’
    ‘Yes.’ Tancred smiled through clenched teeth. ‘Isn’t that what we’re doing?’
    —«»—«»—«»—
    They were joined by Judd, Gregson and Fripp, sparing Harry further verbal fencing with Tancred. He swiftly drifted to the margins of the group and, noticing that Wiseman had left Lloyd to join Dangerfield and Matthews, walked across to where the Welshman was leaning heavily against the wall flanking the door at the top of the spiral