Hamish waited and waited. The light was fading fast. The sun went down about two in the afternoon, now the winter nights had set in.

At last he saw her car driving up outside and rushed out to meet her.

"Hamish," said Elspeth. "Are you waiting for me?"

"Yes, I need to talk to you."

"Can it wait until I've typed out my report?"

"Yes, I'll wait for you. Don't be long."

Hamish sat down in the reception area of the newspaper office. It was great to finally take action. Time to go on living. After an hour, she came out. "Now what is it?"

"Let's walk a bit and I'll explain."

They went outside. There was a full moon, and the black sky was thick with stars.

"It's like this, Elspeth," said Hamish, stopping and looking down at her.

"You're so serious. Not another murder?"

"God forbid. No, I've done something daft. You see..."

"Hamish!" cooed a voice.

He stiffened. There was Nessie Currie leering up at him. "I left a casserole for you on the kitchen step...darling," she said. "Come along."

Elspeth stared at Hamish.

"Can't it wait, Nessie?" he said desperately.

"No, come quickly before Jessie sees us." She hooked a surprisingly powerful arm in his and began to drag him away.

Hamish twisted his head back and looked at Elspeth.

"Hamish Macbeth," she said clearly, "you're weird."

THE END.