Saturday
The call from the Fire Chief came through as promised, explaining the arson investigator would like to speak to the Craigs. He would meet them at Professor Craig’s house at two p.m. Ginny took the message and went to wake them.
Both looked better after their naps. They gathered around the table, enjoying Mrs. Forbes’ hospitality and the excellent casserole she was dishing out.
Mark paused, mid bite, and addressed Ginny. “I forgot to ask what you were doing at Uncle Don’s house so early this morning.”
“I wanted to find out if you know about a rust-colored car your uncle was supposed to own.
Mark nodded. “His Toyota. It’s at the body shop.”
Ginny blinked, then nodded. Of course it was.
“We wondered, you see,” Theresa broke in, “because the paperwork in the fireproof box didn’t match the car in the driveway.”
“So what have you been driving?”
“According to the tag, it’s a loaner. I’ve been meaning to call the shop and ask when they’ll be finished, but I just haven’t gotten around to it, yet. Why the sudden interest in his car?”
Ginny explained about Fiona Campbell.
Theresa’s lips twitched. “She must have been really mad at him.”
“Yes, and it has occurred to me that the documents I’ve been looking for might have been left in that car.”
Mark nodded. “Makes sense. I’ll see if I can find out anything after we’ve finished with the fire investigator.”
“I’d appreciate that. Thank you.”
When she took them back to the damaged house, she and Mark searched the loaner car, and found nothing, which was what she expected. Any overlooked papers would be in the Toyota.
“Here’s something,” Mark said. He was standing on the driver’s side, looking at the edge of the door. “The seal’s been damaged.”
Ginny came around to look. She reached out and ran her finger down the rubber gasket, then closed the door and inspected the point at which it touched the doorframe.
“It looks as if something was wedged in between these two strips.”
Mark nodded. “I wonder if someone was trying to break in.”
Ginny frowned. “The car was locked, wasn’t it?”
“Yes. I had to use the remote to get in.”
“We ought to report this. There might be an insurance claim involved.”
Mark nodded. “I’ll let Detective Tran know.”
* * *
Ginny hurried across the restaurant to the table Hal had secured. He had ordered for both of them and the waiter brought the salads out as soon as she was seated.
“I’m sorry to keep you waiting, but I have a good excuse.” She told him about the fire and its aftermath. “The Fire Chief hasn’t said anything, yet, but they’re investigating, so it might not have been an accident. Most of the house was saved. The office is a total loss, of course.”
He frowned. “Everything burned?”
“No way to know, but Hal, those papers you’re looking for, they weren’t there. I looked on Thursday.”
“Oh, right. You told me that.”
“I may have a lead on them, though. Hold onto your seat. It’s about Fiona Campbell.”
The corner of Hal’s mouth twitched. “What has that woman done now?”
Ginny outlined the scene at the Cooperative Hall the night before.
“And the upshot is that Mark Craig has been driving a loaner. The Professor’s car is at the body shop.”
Hal put his fork down. “You think those documents may be in the Toyota?”
“I think it’s possible. Mark and I searched the loaner and didn’t find anything. He’s going to let me know when he talks to the repair man.”
Hal’s face lit up. “That must be the answer. You’ll let me know, as soon as you do?”
“Of course.”
“Bless you, Ginny Forbes.” Hal blew her a kiss, then applied himself to his steak and Ginny was pleased to see him relax. He was looking a bit pale and there were dark circles under his eyes. Too much stress at work, maybe. It would be a good thing if they could find these documents and put his mind to rest.
“I wish we could take the evening off,” she said.
He smiled over at her. “What would you do, if we could?”
“Rent a movie and curl up on the couch. Maybe fall asleep and drool on the cushions.”
“Alone?”
“Oh, no. Curling up is a lot more fun with someone else.”
He caught her eye and held it. “Yes, it is.”
“Unfortunately, I have to work.”
“That’s what you get for being indispensable. Maybe we can arrange a day off next week.”
“That sounds nice. Tuesday would work best for me.”
“I’ve got clients that day. How about Wednesday?”
“The morning’s clear, but that’s the day I plan to go skating and I have to work that night.”
Hal looked over at her. “I haven’t heard you mention skating in weeks. Have you given up trying to get me out on the ice?”
She grinned. “No, but the genealogy convention got in the way this month. That, and Professor Craig’s death, of course.”
He looked back down at his steak. “So, you’re still investigating?”
She shook her head, frowning. “No. That incident with Fiona Campbell happened at the ceilidh, in front of everyone. And I am NOT investigating that fire.”
He glanced up again. “But you are seeing Jim Mackenzie.”
She shook her head. “Again, no. Not the way you mean. As a matter of fact—” She stopped, remembering Jim’s car following her around the lake.
“What?”
“I’m beginning to be a little nervous about him.” She told Hal about being followed.
“He didn’t stop and speak to you?”
“No.”
“I wonder what he wanted.”
“I have no idea.”
Hal frowned at her, then reached over and took her hand.
“Ginny, promise me you’ll be careful. Don’t do anything to draw attention to yourself.”
“I’ll keep my head down, I promise.”
He nodded. “The sooner they catch that murderer, the happier I’ll be.”
“Me, too.” Ginny smiled at him across the table. “But they’ll have to do it without my help.”
Hal smiled and lifted his glass in a toast. “I’ll drink to that.”
* * *