Dagger Magic

Which suggested that Adam's plans for the afternoon had been in a state of flux. Peregrine suppressed a sigh of frustration.

"That's all right, Humphrey. I'll check with Inspector McLeod and see if he has any idea. If Sir Adam should happen to check in with you later, I'd be obliged if you'd let him know I'm trying to reach him."

"I'll certainly do that, sir."

"Thank you, and goodbye."

He had to look up McLeod's number at police headquarters. Here his call was received by McLeod's aide, Donald Cochrane, who seemed mildly surprised to learn who was phoning.

"Mr. Lovat? Congratulations on your wedding! No, the inspector's not here. He left about half an hour ago, along with Dr. Sinclair."

"Do you know where they went?"

"Aye, they're heading over to Dumbarton, to attend the post-mortem on that bloke you and your wife found washed up on the beach at Kintyre. It isn't due to begin before two o'clock, so I don't imagine they'll be back till late."

This was all news to Peregrine - and suggested that McLeod and Adam had, indeed, found cause to check further on the body Peregrine had found.

"I see," he murmured. "Do you know if Inspector McLeod took his cell phone with him?"

"He usually does. You could certainly try to reach him. Shall I give you the number?"

"No, thanks, I've got it."

"Well, then, you ought to be able to get through to him in the car, no bother."

Cochrane's prediction proved accurate. Scarcely had Peregrine dialled than he heard a responding click, and a familiar gruff voice saying, "McLeod here."

"Hullo, Noel. It's Peregrine."

"Peregrine? Good Lord! Where are you calling from?"

"From a pub in downtown Glasgow," Peregrine replied. ' 'Listen, something else odd has come up, and I need to talk with Adam. Donald told me he might be with you."

"And so he is," McLeod replied. "Hang on and I'll hand you to him."

The next voice Peregrine heard was Adam's. "What's up, Peregrine?"

"Trouble, I think," Peregrine said, mindful of the need to be discreet. "I've just picked up a set of photos including some shots I took over in Kintyre. I thought you might be interested to know that the results were - rather extraordinary."

"Indeed?" Adam's voice took on a slight edge. "Can you tell me in what way?"

"They - ah - showed up what I was trying to draw. I think you ought to see them - perhaps before this afternoon's appointment. I'm having enlargements printed, and they'll be ready in an hour."

"I see," Adam said, after a brief silence. "You said you're calling from Glasgow?"

"That's right," Peregrine acknowledged. "Shall I try to meet you somewhere?"

"I think so," Adam said. "In fact, I wonder… Hold on a minute, would you?"

The sound went muffled for a moment, as if Adam had put his hand over the mouthpiece to consult with McLeod; then came on again, a note of apology in his voice.

"Listen, I hate do this to you, but do you think Julia would mind letting you out on loan for a few hours? I think it might be a good idea if you brought your sketchbox along to this afternoon's venture, if you can possibly manage it."

Despite Adam's bland tone and the ambiguity of his words, Peregrine experienced a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, for urgency was there as well. And the thought of witnessing an autopsy -

"Oh, I'm sure she'll mind," he said gamely, "but I think she'll understand. I already have some explaining to do. We'd planned to do some browsing in Princes' Square, but I expect she won't object too strongly to being left to shop on her own. She did say something about wanting to surprise me with something she'd glimpsed in the window of an antique shop we passed on our way through the city center." "Do whatever you have to do to buy yourself a temporary leave of absence," Adam said with a chuckle. "For my own part, by way of making amends, perhaps you'll allow me to take the pair of you to dinner tonight. What would you say to a meal at the Colonial?"

Peregrine grinned. The Colonial was a Glasgow fixture, with a reputation for serving fine Indian food.

"I expect that would be more than adequate compensation," he said, "provided she's still speaking to me. I just hope I'll be in a fit state to do justice to the menu. I've never attended a - ah - an examination like this before."

"I have every confidence in your fortitude," Adam said bracingly. "Now, about rendezvousing - Noel and I are still a good half hour out of Glasgow, and the noontime traffic will be heavy, once we get off the motorway. Why don't we aim to collect you outside the main entrance to the Central Railway Station round about half past one? We're in Noel's BMW."

"Right you are," Peregrine said. "See you then."

Having rung off, he stood for a moment with his hand on the receiver, collecting his thoughts, then made his way into the pub, where he soon spotted Julia ensconced at a table in a back corner. She was shifting through the photos and sipping at a half-pint. Another half-pint was set at the place across from her. She looked up as he slid into the seat.