CHAPTER EIGHT
The last pieces
When they got outside, Logan and Grant walked round to Alice Maclennans house in Polwarth Gardens. Alice Maclennan opened the door. 'Well?' she asked in a quiet and rather sad voice. 'It was Ian Ross,' said Logan. 'Some officers are taking him to the London Road Police Station right now.' Alice Maclennan put her hand up to her mouth. 'Oh no! Ian,' she said. 'How terrible! Are you sure?'
'Yes. He's told us everything. Well, almost everything.'
Alice Maclennan looked at Logan strangely. 'Almost everything? What do you mean, Inspector?' she asked.
'Well, there's one thing he didn't tell us. He didn't tell us how long you and he were lovers. I was hoping you could tell us that.'
'Come in, Inspector,' said Alice Maclennan. 'Let's talk inside. It's warmer.'
They went into Alice Maclennans living room and sat down.
'What I told you before was true. Alex and I were happily married until he started the restaurant,' began Alice Maclennan. 'I told you we had some problems then but... I couldn't tell you...' Alice Maclennan began to cry quietly.
'Go on,' said Logan softly.
'It started about eighteen months ago. Alex was spending all his time at the restaurant. I knew Ian was interested in me so I asked him round here one day when Alex was away.'
'And you became lovers,' said Logan.
'Yes. We were lovers for about a year.'
'Did your husband find out?'
'I don't know. I don't think so. At that time, Alex and I didn't talk very much. So I don't think he knew.'
'When did you and Ross stop seeing each other?' asked Logan.
'About six months ago,' said Alice Maclennan. 'I didn't want to spend any more time with Ian. And Alex was trying to make me happy again.'
'How did Ross feel about this?'
Alice Maclennan started to cry again.
Logan put her hand on Alice Maclennans arm.
'Ian was terribly angry when I said we had to stop seeing each other,' said Alice Maclennan. She stopped and looked out of the window. Then she went on: 'I often asked myself why Ian and I were together? Did he really love me? Or did he love me because I was Alex's wife? When I left him, he said some terrible things.'
'He said he wanted you because you were Alex's?' asked Logan.
'Yes,' said Alice Maclennan quietly. 'I don't know if it was true. Perhaps he was just so angry that he said the first thing that came into his head. Perhaps it was half-true.' She stopped for a moment and then she asked: 'You don't think he killed Alex because I left him, do you?'
'No, I don't think so,' said Logan. 'Mainly I think he was angry that your husband was making so much money now. He asked for more money and your husband said no. I think the money was the most important thing for him.'
'I hope so, Inspector,' said Alice Maclennan. 'I really hope you're right.'