THE Nat Fraser murder trial heard about an empty and silent Fraser family home, and a poignant note from Arlene’s son.
"Mother, where are U!" the youngster had written on a scrap of paper found at the house in Smith Street, New Elgin.
Mum-of-two Arlene hasn’t been seen since the day that note was written, 14 years ago, the High Court in Edinburgh has been told.
Electrician Graham Higgins (52) and his wife Irene (50), often looked after the Fraser children - Jamie was then ten-years-old old and sister Natalie was five years old.
The garden of the Higgins’ home joined the Fraser’s garden.
Mr Higgins told how he contacted police when Arlene had not returned home that Tuesday evening - and went with them to the house in Smith Street.
They found a note on the back of an envelope from Arlene’s close friend, Michelle Scott, who wondered why her pal had not been able to keep a lunch date.
"Arlene, came round, nobody in. Give us a phone later," the message said.
The other note, shown to the jury, said that Jamie, who had been taking part in a school anti-litter campaign, had arrived home at 7.30pm.
Mr Higgins and the officer checked the house which was so quiet he could hear a tap dripping in the bathroom.
That night he also met Nat Fraser who was "emotional."
Fraser claims that if mum-of-two Arlene was murdered, as prosecutors claim, the man responsible could be Hector Dick of Mosstowie, Elgin.
The trial heard that Hector Dick had been supplying Arlene with bootleg booze which she sold on to her friends, charging about £5 for a bottle of vodka.
