SEARCH: The Ghost of Rob Roy's Cave
Season 1, Episode 12 | Sci-Fi, Mystery & Thriller | Serialised Fiction
PREVIOUSLY ON SEARCH: Matt McNair is alone and a long way from home. He doesn’t know what happened to his Dad after their call ended with John McNair’s car being driven off the road. Matt calls his sister who doesn’t believe him. And he is being hunted by The Wells Foundation. Hunted all the way to Balloch as he searches for Jo Evan’s Mum.
Appendix 50: Transcripts of Voicemail Messages Left By Matt McNair for Alice Evans [Mother of Jo Evans/The Ghost]
Message 1:
ALICE: This is Alice Evans. If you could please leave your name, number and state your business, I will get back to you as soon as possible.
MATT: Hello, Mrs Evans. My name is Matt McNair. I was hoping to speak to you if possible. I was hoping you might help me with something.
Appendix 51: Transcripts of A Recording of a Telephone Conversation Between Matt McNair and Lochside Cafe, Balloch
JENNY: Hello Lochside Cafe, Jenny speaking. What can I get you?
MATT: Hello. Is that Jenny at the Lochside Cafe? I’m hoping you can help me with something.
JENNY: Look, if this is a sex call pal, I’m no interested, I’ve already reported
this number and I’ll report it again--
MATT: What? No. No. Sorry. My name is Matt McNair. I’m a journalist for The Faorail. I’m working on a story and hoping you could help.
JENNY: Sorry, I thought it was someone else. You’ve got similar numbers. How can I help?
MATT: Do you know where I might find Alice Evans?
JENNY: What are ye wanting with Alice?
MATT: I’m hoping to talk to her about the story I’m working on.
JENNY: Aye well, she’s had enough bother already without your sort poking your nose in, if ye ask me. People already take the piss out of her enough in this town as it is, without you making her headline news.
MATT: How so?
JENNY: Did you no hear what I just said?
MATT: I understand your trepidation. But I’m not looking to exploit her. I want to help her. I promise.
JENNY: Hmm. I’m sure they all say that.
MATT: They probably do. But it’s not why I’m saying it. Please.
JENNY: Hmm. OK. Anonymous like?
MATT: Anonymous, aye.
JENNY: It all started a number of years ago. She lost her man. Then her wee girl went off the rails. Eventually went missing. But Alice? She didn’t bat an eyelid, pretended like she hadn’t just lost everything. She even starting going around town saying that her daughter wasn’t missing. She was away training for something special. That she had a special gift and people were helping her train how to use it. Told everyone it was a big secret. She’d tell you then wink and just say SHHHH. Ridiculed she got. You know what they called her?
MATT: What?
JENNY: Maw Kent they call her. An absolute sin so it is.
MATT: Would you know where—
JENNY: --Naw, I’m no answering any questions about where she is. That’s all you are getting from me. Now, are ye wanting to order any food, because if not, I’ve got a queue coming out my arse here and I need to get back tae work.
MATT: No. That’s fine. You’ve been a great help. Thank you.
[TRANSCRIPT ENDS]
Appendix 52: Transcripts of A Recording of a Telephone Conversation Between James McCullach [The Wells Foundation] and Lochside Cafe, Balloch
MCCULLACH: Yes?
JENNY: Is this the guy that was in the cafe earlier? Ye know, the Men In Black looking guy?
MCCULLACH: Who is this?
JENNY: It’s Jenny, from the Lochside Cafe. Ye were in the earlier. Said I was to phone if anyone came in asking about Alice Evans or her daughter.
MCCULLACH: Has someone been in?
JENNY: Naw, but they did phone. Some reporter. Wanting to try and track her down.
MCCULLACH: Did he say where he was going?
JENNY: Naw. I answered one question then sent him packing. But ye said tae phone, so that’s what I’m doing.
MCCULLACH: Well, thank you.
JENNY: I just don’t want to see Alice go through any more heartache, that’s all. She’s been through enough, the poor soul.
MCCULLACH: We’ll make sure he doesn’t disturb her.
JENNY: Good man. There’s a free tottie scone roll for you the next time yer in.
MCCULLACH: Eh, yes. Thank you.
[TRANSCRIPT ENDS]
Appendix 53: Transcripts of A Recording of a Telephone Conversation Between James McCullach [The Wells Foundation] and Eleanor Wells [The Wells Foundation]
WELLS: Yes?
MCCULLACH: He’s definitely in Balloch.
WELLS: Good. What’s he been doing?
MCCULLACH: Asking around, for Alice Evans.
WELLS: You have someone stationed at her house?
MCCULLACH: Yes, ma'am. If he turns up, we should have him.
WELLS: He won’t be that stupid to knock on her front door. And we’ve lost all trace of his mobile, we know he’s using burner phones left right and centre. (Pause) You know what? Leave it.
MCCULLACH: Leave it?
WELLS: Let him talk to the Mum. Let’s forget trying to find him. Let’s give him some extra incentive to try and find us.
MCCULLACH: The sister. Ellie, are you sure?
WELLS: Am I sure?
MCCULLACH: I’m just...the luck we’ve had with this family so far.
WELLS: Bad luck is what we blame when a job’s been done badly. Forgive me if I’m losing faith. If you want a job done right.
MCCULLACH: I won’t let you down again, Ellie. I promise.
WELLS: You’re running out of chances to do so, James.
[TRANSCRIPT ENDS]
Appendix 54: Transcripts of Voicemail Messages Left By Matt McNair for Alice Evans [Mother of Jo Evans/The Ghost]
Message 2:
ALICE: This is Alice Evans. If you could please leave your name, number and state your business, I will get back to you as soon as possible.
MATT: Hello Mrs Evans, it’s Matt McNair again. I’d really like to talk to you if possible. I’m working on a story...about your daughter. I’d very much like to speak with you.
From: amasters@twf.org
To: legal@twf.org; directors@twf.org; hwells@twf.org; hr@twf.org
BCC: ewells@twf.org; jmcullach@twf.org
Subject: Appendix 55 Note
Classification: Official-Internal-Classified
FAO Legal, Board of Directors & CEO
Please note the following regarding Appendix 55.
There was no audio recording of this conversation. The following transcript has been assembled after lip reading experts examined CCTV footage [with visuals sharped by our technology] obtained of Matt McNair and the two other participants, who we have since identified as Gordo Stevens and Sandra Wharton.
This is to say that the following conversation is an approximation of what occured.
Kind regards,
Alanna Masters
Internal Investigations Manager.
Internal Investigations, Data Protection & Incursions Task Force
Appendix 55: Transcripts of Conversation Between Matt McNair and Gordon Stevens & Sandra Wharton.
MATT: Can I have another pint please? Thanks.
GORDO: Here are you that journalist that’s creeping about the town?
MATT: Who’s asking?
GORDO: Never you mind who, you’re the one looking for Alice Evans aye?
MATT: That’s right, aye.
GORDO: Well, if it’s a story yer wanting, I’ve got wan for ye, a belter.
MATT: I’m no looking for any stories.
SANDRA: I telt ye he wouldn’t be interested.
GORDO: Shush. Naw, wait. Dinnae go anywhere. Ye want tae listen. I’m assuming ye want tae chat tae Alice about aw the strange things she talks.
MATT: Aye, that would be right.
GORDO: Well if it’s strange things ye want, I’m yer man. I’ve seen aw the strange things that happen in this town. Especially recently.
SANDRA: Ah, Christ, gie it a rest you. Likes the sound of his ain voice this yin. Ye should have drunk up and left while you had the chance.
MATT: What strange things have been happening?
GORDO: Aw the bloody fish are gone!
[THE PUB’S CROWD LAUGHS]
MATT: Did you say the fish are gone?
SANDRA: Dinnae listen to him. Yer havering Gordo.
GORDO: Sandra, I swear, I’m no. I’ve lived in this town for long enough and I’ve fished every bloody Sunday since I was able to haud a fishing rod. Never had trouble catchin’ fish in the loch. Nowadays? There’s certain places ye cannae catch a fish for love nor money.
MATT: Where do you fish?
GORDO: Out on the loch there. Some bits are OK, further out ye go, but there’s places now ye get nae bite at all. One of my favourite spots is wee quiet area, but I’m naw going near it now.
MATT: Where?
SANDRA: Why are you encouraging him?
GORDO: There’s a wee bit, on one of the shores, and there’s a wee cave there. Rob Roy’s cave, on the east bank. And I swear, I think there’s something in that bloody cave.
SANDRA: Away with ye.
MATT: What makes you think that?
GORDO: Cos I used to fish down round there, was a cracking wee spot. But you won’t catch me there now. Was there a few weeks back, and there was some strange sounds coming out of that cave.
MATT: Kinda sounds?
GORDO: Sounds that areny natural for an abandoned cave, on a loch, that’s what. Nah, ye’ll no catch me back there.
MATT: You sound like a betting man tae me.
GORDO: I like the odd flutter.
MATT: What’s your bets to what’s in what’s there?
GORDO: Pfft. I dunno. Could be Rob Roy’s damn ghost for aw I know.
SANDRA: It’s naw Rob Roy’s ghost. He likes a whisky this yin. I swear he’s two drinks away fae Korsikov.
GORDO: You go down there then. If it’s no Rob Roy’s ghost, or Robert the bloody Bruce’s ghost, it’s someone’s ghost. I’m telling ye now, there’s something in that cave. And I’ll tell ye whats more, and dinnae laugh when I tell ye.
MATT: What?
GORDO: I’ve seen it.
MATT: You’ve seen it?
GORDO: Aye. Just wee flashes. Disappearing in and out. Wan minute I can see it, the next it’s gone. And ave seen it go in and out of the water as well. And that, is where aw the fish are going.
MATT: Thank you. Wouldn’t mind if ye kept that story to yerself, just in case anyone else asks. I owe ye a pint.
GORDO: Course. See Sandra? How dae ye like that? He’s gonnae buy me a pint an aw.
SANDRA: Aye, magic. Yer bullshit walks, talks and earns a pretty penny.
[TRANSCRIPT ENDS]
Appendix 56: Transcripts of Conversation Between Matt McNair and Alice Evans
MATT: Hello?
ALICE: Is this Matt McNair?
MATT: Yes. Who is this?
ALICE: Alice Evans. I believe you’ve been looking to talk to me about my daughter, Jo.
MATT: Yes, I very much do.
ALICE: Where would you like to start?
Thanks to
and for featuring this episode in Top in Fiction #7With Season One, Episode Twelve there are now only FOUR episodes left of Season One. We really are barrelling toward a conclusion of this story. I’ve really enjoyed rediscovering SEARCH in this format but I’m equally excited to leave this story behind and move on to Season Two! There are still a lot of pieces up in the air with Season One. I would be interested to know where people think it might be heading. I’ve also been really bowled away by the response to SEARCH. It’s a story and a set of characters I really like. I’m glad you seem to be as well!
Thank you for reading, subscribing and following the SEARCH story!
Cheers Cx