Free Death of a Dustman by MC Beaton Page B

been written to Josie Darling. He read: ‘Dear Josie, I just can’t go through with it. I’m sorry to let you down at the last minute, but I’ve met someone
else, and it’s real love this time. If you need any help writing apology letters or returning the presents, let me know. You’ll hate me for a bit, but after time passes, you’ll
come to realize I did the right thing. I hope you, too, will find someone. Yours, aye, Murdo.’
    ‘The bastard!’ said Hamish out loud. Lugs scrabbled at his knee. ‘Down, boy,’ said Hamish sharply. He put the letter carefully to one side. Then he picked up the next.
‘Dear Helen, I’ll never forget our night in Strathbane. I’m still travelling around but I hope to be back in Strathbane soon. Any chance of you getting away from your old man?
Give us a bell if you can, snookums. Always your loving Pat.’
    Who was Helen? wondered Hamish. The next was a letter to crofter Angus Ettrik. It was from his bank manager. Hamish scanned it rapidly. It was telling Angus that he could have no further
credit.
    The fourth was an old newspaper cutting. It read: ‘Mrs Fiona McClellan appeared at Strathbane sheriff’s court yesterday charged with shoplifting. A psychiatrist, Dr J. Arthur,
testified that Mrs McClellan was now undergoing treatment for kleptomania. Sheriff Paul Tampley gave Mrs McClellan a suspended sentence of one year but told her that should she appear in his court
again, then he would not be so lenient.’
    Hamish’s heart sank lower. Mrs McClellan was the bank manager’s wife.
    There could only be one explanation as to why Fergus had kept these items hidden under the floorboards. Blackmail.
    Hamish groaned and put his head in his hands. He should phone Strathbane immediately and reveal the contents of what Angela had found. Blair would descend like the wrath of God. He was a great
man for arresting first and asking questions afterwards. Four lives might be needlessly ruined.
    He looked down at his dog, who stared back up at him with those-odd blue eyes. ‘I’ll give it a day, Lugs. One day. Let’s see what they have to say for themselves. But
who’s Helen?’
    Hamish started off by going to see Josie. When she opened the door to him, a mulish look settled on her face. ‘What is it now?’ she demanded sharply.
    ‘Can I come in?’
    ‘No, I’m busy.’
    ‘So do you want to tell me about the cancelled wedding and why Fergus was blackmailing you out here on the step?’
    She burst into tears. Hamish put an arm round her and guided her into the living room. Her mother rose to her feet in alarm. ‘What have you said?’ she shouted.
    ‘Let’s all sit down and talk this over quietly,’ said Hamish. He pressed the weeping Josie down into a chair and then sat down himself.
    ‘While Fergus was going through everyone’s rubbish to make sure everything was in the right receptacle, he collected letters and things he thought might be useful. He kept a letter
to you from your fiancé, Murdo, Josie. In it Murdo breaks off the engagement. For some reason, your pride wouldn’t let you tell anyone and it is my belief Fergus asked you for payment
to keep his mouth shut.’
    Josie scrubbed her eyes dry and glared at him defiantly. ‘Prove it!’
    ‘If you are uncooperative, I will turn the letter over to police headquarters and Detective Chief Inspector Blair will haul you in for questioning. You’ll have a rougher time with
him than you will with me. He may not arrest you, but it will be in the papers that a woman is helping police with their inquiries and everyone in Lochdubh will have seen you being taken off in a
police car. Come on, now, be honest.’
    Josie looked at her mother, who gave a little nod. ‘Yes, he asked for money,’ she said wearily. ‘Oh, the shame of it. Him jilting me. I’d bragged to all my friends about
getting married.’
    ‘How much?’
    ‘Five hundred pounds. He said if I gave him five hundred he would let me have the letter