‘Bottom line,’ he began, ‘Chief’s not entirely convinced by Edderton. As he says, it’s a photo of a photo — that’s been confirmed, by the way. Could have been taken at any time and used merely to throw us off the scent. On the other hand, the A9 connection is too strong to dismiss, and since Pitlochry seems to be getting us nowhere, he’s spoken with Inverness and requested a search of the area where the photo was taken, plus interviews with the locals. Northern Constabulary are already actioning this, but they may be short a few bodies, so we’re going to pitch in. Christine and Ronnie, I want you to go talk to the parents in Golspie and Fort Augustus.’
‘Northern are okay with that?’ Esson checked.
Page gave a nod of confirmation. ‘I’ll be headed to Northern Constabulary HQ with Siobhan.’ Page sought out DC Ormiston. ‘Dave, you’ll be running the show here.’
‘Understood.’
Rebus caught Clarke’s eye. She hesitated a moment before speaking.
‘John has been to Edderton, spoken with people there. Might be useful to have him on the ground with us, at least at the start. .’
Page fixed his gaze on Rebus while he made up his mind.
‘Fine,’ he said.
It was mid afternoon before Nina Hazlitt called. Rebus didn’t answer, but listened afterwards to her message.
‘Is it true they’ve found two more? The internet’s full of gossip about it. I should have known. I can’t believe I didn’t spot them in the papers. But it means I’m right, doesn’t it? Right about the A9, right about them all being connected.’ She was sobbing between sentences. ‘Please call me back — you promised you would. You said I’d be the first to know. I need you to tell me what’s happening. Sally was the start of this, John — don’t forget that. I have a stake. . Do you hear me? Don’t shut me out!’
Clarke emerged from Page’s office and approached his desk, just as Nina Hazlitt broke down into sobs again and ended her call.
‘Hazlitt knows about the two new additions,’ he said.
‘So soon?’
‘All over the internet, apparently.’
Clarke gnawed at her bottom lip. ‘As some might say, this shit just got serious.’
‘It was always serious, Siobhan.’
‘True,’ she agreed. ‘But now everyone’s
‘Did you get a rough ride at HQ?’
‘Not particularly, though it was made clear that if we’re reading more into this than is actually there. .’
‘You can always lay the blame on me,’ Rebus suggested.
‘I’ll bear that in mind.’ She managed the beginnings of a smile. ‘So. . Inverness in the morning.’
‘It could almost be a country song.’ Rebus paused. ‘Thanks for inviting me along, by the way.’
‘Least I could do.’
‘And you almost didn’t do it at all. It’s as though my reputation precedes me.’
‘Well, there is that.’
‘Seems to me the focus has shifted from Annette McKie,’ Rebus commented.
‘Only because we’ve no new leads.’
‘I can’t see her family being thrilled about it.’
Clarke could do nothing but shrug. Then: ‘Think I should talk to her mother?’
‘Might be nice if someone did, before she hears about Golspie and Loch Ness.’
‘Yes, you’re right.’
‘Maybe get Christine and Ronnie to do it, though — good training before they head north. And best be quick — news travels at broadband speeds these days.’
41
That evening, Cafferty turned up at the door of Rebus’s flat.
‘Can’t be that time already,’ Rebus complained.
‘Just fancied a drink,’ Cafferty responded. He was dressed as usual in a black leather jacket with a black polo-neck beneath.
‘You seem happy,’ Rebus said.
‘I’m fine.’
Rebus had already finished packing and had been considering setting out on the road. A drink was a decent enough alternative. It would stop him driving, meaning he’d get to Inverness in daylight rather than the middle of the night.
‘Somewhere walking distance,’ he stipulated.
Cafferty bowed his head. ‘I dare say you know the local hostelries.’
‘I’ll get my keys, then. And this time you stay that side of the threshold. .’
The Tannery was fairly busy. There was football on the TV, and most of the drinkers seemed to be there to watch it. Rebus and Cafferty found a spot at the far end of the bar. Not having a clear view of the screen, it was quieter than the rest of the pub. Cafferty insisted on buying the first round.
‘I’m the one dragging you out, after all.’
A man had risen from one of the tables. He waited until he had their attention, then nodded towards the barman. ‘He’s too young to know who you are, but I’m not. We don’t want any trouble here.’
Cafferty looked at Rebus. ‘Is he talking to you or to me?’ Then, to the man: ‘Don’t sweat it.’ He stuck out a hand, which the man — presumably the landlord — took, before returning to his table, a relieved look on his face.
‘Didn’t even offer us one on the house,’ Cafferty complained, demolishing his whisky and ordering another. ‘So, is it true about all these poor wee girls?’
‘Is what true?’
‘The count’s up to six now.’
‘Is it?’
‘I can use a computer, same as the next man. Silver surfers, they call us. So Annette McKie’s just the last in a long line?’
‘Looks that way.’
‘Maybe that’s the way it’s
Rebus put his glass down. ‘What are you saying?’
‘She’d had an argument with Frank Hammell, hadn’t she?’
‘Who told you that?’
Cafferty just smiled. ‘Could he maybe have followed her, with a view to settling it?’
‘You’d like us to put Hammell in the frame?’
Cafferty laughed away the suggestion. ‘I’m just speculating here.’
‘So how did that photo end up getting sent from Annette’s phone? How could Hammell have known about the others?’
‘Frank has fingers in many pies.’
But Rebus was shaking his head. He lifted the pint again. ‘He just didn’t want her taking the bus. Turns out he was right, too — she probably wouldn’t have got travel-sick on the train.’
‘I still think it’s too convenient,’ Cafferty offered. ‘Hammell’s a player, and she’s the next best thing he has to a daughter of his own. It can’t be down to chance that she was snatched. Have you spoken to Calum MacBride or Stuart Macleod?’
‘Never even heard of them.’
‘They run Aberdeen. There’s been a bit of tension between them and Hammell. .’
‘Same questions, then: why the photograph, and how did they know?’
‘I’m not the detective here.’
