Skinner’s round

`The third and last of the DeLarge bibles was given by James to the Earl of Kinture. It is recorded that in 1598 it was destroyed in a fire at the Earl's mansion in East Lothian. But the record was wrong. This is it, the last of the three.'

`How do you know?'

`Simple. James signed them. The Gordon Bible was photographed, and we have copies here.

I could fetch them to check, but I don't need to. They're printed on my memory.'

He picked up one of the prints. 'Look here. At the top of the title page.' He held the photograph up for Rose to see. Winture, amicus. Kinture, my friend. Jacobus Rex. James, the King. That's his autograph. He signed each one.

`My dear Inspector. Whoever has this Bible is guarding a national treasure of the highest order. In value terms, I'd say a million.'

Rose looked at him in astonishment. She shook her head. `Mr Knox,' she said. 'You don't know the half of it!'

Fifty

‘So where is it now? Has Lisa got it to a bank yet?'

`Yes, thank the Lord. I just called her again. She took it to the local Deutsche Bank this morning and lodged it safely with them.'

Ski

He looked across the desk at Rose. 'You're always thorough, Mags, but this time you've excelled yourself. Do you reckon that's it finished now?'

Oh no, sir. Henry's going back to the GRO tomorrow. He's determined to keep on digging.

We still need to know who Elizabeth Carr was, and whether Matilda Tod has co

`Remember the words on the first note, "So said Agnes." That identifies the writer as someone who knew the curse, and they didn't hear it from Lisa.'

`That's right,' Ski

He swung himself back to the present. 'OK Inspector. A great day's work. You've unearthed a missing masterpiece, and from the sound of it you've made friend Knox's career in the process. Now, away home to your man.'

`Thank you, sir.' Rose nodded and stood up.

Incidentally,' said the ACC. 'Your man's had a rare day, as well. He wound up caddying for Darren Atkinson. He'll tell you all about it, but he did it so well that Darren wants him tomorrow and Sunday as well.' Maggie looked at him, bewildered. 'I've got a new caddy too: big Mcllhe

I've an appointment with Mario's parish priest tomorrow, sir.' The redheaded Inspector smiled slowly. `So if you'd make that an order, I'd be delighted!'

`So done. See you there at nine. Have a good evening.'

The door had barely closed behind her when the telephone rang. 'Call for you sir,' said Ruth.

'From a Mr Salter, calling from London. He says he's a solicitor and that it's very important.'

OK, let's find out whether it is. Put him through.'

There was a tiny click on the line. `Mr Ski

`Yes, what can I do for you?'

`You can listen carefully. My name is Jacob Salter, of Rusk and Dealli Solicitors, of London and Edinburgh. I do not normally become involved with criminal work, but on this occasion I have been retained to represent the interests of Mr Michael Morton, whom I think you know.'

`Mr Morton is known to me, yes.'

I am calling to advise you that there must be no further interviews with my client without my knowledge or presence. I consider that your behaviour yesterday, including your search and your removal of items of clothing, was improper, bordering on the illegal. I demand to know the purpose of the tests which you are carrying out, and to be kept informed of the outcome. I have given your secretary my office and home phone numbers.'

Ski

The purpose of our tests is to rule out or confirm the possibility of your client's presence at the scene of the murder of a man with whom he had had two arguments, both heated, one of them physical. He denies being involved, and was quite willing to co-operate with us.

`That's all I have to say, except for this. This evening I will be at a cocktail party to which your client has been invited. If you don't want me to speak to him again other than in your presence, then you'd better get yourself an invite damn quick, or tell him to stay out of my bloody way!

`Frankly, from all that I've seen and learned about him, and from what I've heard from you, it might be better for you if you took the second of those options!' He slammed the phone down in its cradle.

He glanced at his watch and saw that it was almost 6 p.m. Slipping on his blazer, which he had hung over the back of his chair, he stepped out of his office and across to his secretary's small room. Ruthie, if that so-and-so ever calls again, pass him on to Roy Old or Alison Higgins. I want nowt to do with him if it can be avoided.

`Right, I'm off to a party. See you Monday.'

He was halfway to the door at the end of the corridor when Ruth called after him.

`Hold on, sir. There's something else. Mr Mackie wants to speak to you. There's been word from South Africa.'

Ski

Fifty-one

The Grand Ballroom of Bracklands lived up to its name. It was dominated by two magnificent glass chandeliers, hung from a gilded ceiling over a shining oak floor.

Ski

The Marquis sat stiffly in his wheelchair, in a green tartan di

`Why, thank you. I have this wonderful little designer. I'll give you her name. Not that you need her, that cream colour shows off the tan a treat. And what about your old man. I know we said formal, Bob, but I didn't think you'd take us that seriously.'

She looked at Ski

`Tonight's the exception, then. He's over there with Lady Proud.' She chuckled softly, like a bell. 'You can't miss him. He's the one in the kilt!'

`That's great. Now I really do feel like a lemon!'

Susan turned to the elderly woman. 'Bob, Sarah, I'd like you to meet my mother-in-law, the Dowager Lady Kinture. Mother, this is Assistant Chief Constable Ski

The matron's expression unfroze very slightly. 'How do you do?' she said, extending a hand to Ski

`Hector insisted that Mother join us tonight. She lives in a house on the estate now, but every so often she comes up to Bracklands, for an event.' Lady Kinture the elder frowned at her daughter-in-law down her long patrician nose.