‘Sorry, little lady, I don’t have anything for you.’
‘She’s a good-tempered bitch,’ Morna said. ‘Better than some of the poor, mistreated souls we get in here.’
‘And you’ve no idea who the owner is?’
‘No chip, no collar. Even in this day and age, we still get plenty like that.’
‘What’ll happen if no one claims her?’
‘We’ll try to rehome her. Shouldn’t be too tricky, collies are very popular.’ Morna looked along the corridor at a string of dogs pacing and pawing. ‘It’s the Rotties and Staffies we have trouble with. They’re much more aggressive, less suitable for families.’
‘Do you ever have to put them down?’
‘Occasionally, but only the ones with serious temperament problems.’
Billy looked at the dog in the kennel. She licked his hand, the tongue rough and ticklish against the wounds on his palm. He stood up.
‘You know, I’ve been thinking of getting a dog for a long time myself.’
Morna frowned at him. ‘Really?’
‘Yeah. Maybe I could take this one?’
‘It’s not as simple as that, there’s a lot to consider. Do you have time to spend with a pet? Money for vet’s bills and food? Does your lifestyle have room for a demanding animal?’
‘I’ve thought about all that. I said I’d been considering it for a while.’
Morna looked uncertain. ‘Collies need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation, they’re very energetic and intelligent dogs.’
‘Sounds perfect. Just what I’m after.’
‘There are procedures to go through. You’ll need to speak to one of the senior staff.’
‘Fine.’ Billy shrugged. ‘Let’s do that.’
Half an hour later he was driving up Portobello Road with the dog in the passenger seat, her tongue lolling out of her mouth as she panted and looked round.
Billy reached over and rubbed her flank.
‘Who’s a good girl?’
She responded by licking the back of his hand. It felt good.
The car stopped at the lights at Jock’s Lodge. He looked to his right. Fingertips massage. The last place Frank was seen alive by anyone. Except Billy. The lights changed and he chugged forward. He took a left at Meadowbank towards the east end of Holyrood Park. Road still closed. He slowed and went round the roundabout, peering into the distance, but from this end you couldn’t see the section of road where it happened. Had they found anything yet?
He drove back the way he had come, stroking the dog’s back and feeling her ribs bumpy under her skin and fur.
16
Sitting in the Micra outside the Whitehouse place he watched Adele walk round the corner on her own. She looked impeccable as ever and she was walking fast, her hand twitching at the arm of her sunglasses as she turned into the driveway.
Billy got out of the car and beckoned for the dog to follow, making encouraging noises. He was delighted to see that she did exactly what she was told. He guided the dog across the road and ushered her in the direction of the Whitehouses’ drive.
He could hear the crunch of Adele’s feet on the gravel up ahead.
‘Adele,’ he called.
She jumped and turned. Just like the first time they met, her on the steps, glamorous and unknowable, him scurrying up the drive.
‘What the hell are you doing here?’
‘I came to make sure you were OK.’ Billy was out of breath.
‘It’s dangerous.’ She looked round. ‘You being here. It could get us both in a lot of trouble.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘What do you think I mean? Dean.’
‘Where is he?’
She looked exasperated. ‘At the police station, I presume. They’ve just released me after two hours in a hot, sweaty room.’
‘What did you tell them?’
‘Nothing.’
‘You must’ve told them something.’
‘It has nothing to do with you.’
‘I heard you and Dean from outside the back door.’
She wasn’t flustered. ‘All the more reason to stay away.’
Her attention was distracted by the dog.
‘What’s that?’ she said.
‘A collie.’
‘I know that, idiot, what’s it doing here?’
‘I got it from the Dog and Cat Home. I thought maybe you and Ryan could have it.’
‘Are you insane?’
‘You said Ryan was missing Rebus.’
‘And you thought…’
‘Mummy.’ The front door opened and Ryan ran towards the pair of them. Adele scooped him up into her arms and gave him a hug, holding tight for a long time.
‘Oh my beautiful boy, how are you?’
‘Fine.’
Her question was loaded with love, his answer was offhand kid talk.
‘Where have you been?’ he said, only vaguely curious.
‘I had to go out for a bit, that’s all. But I’m back now.’
‘Where’s Uncle Dean?’
‘He’s talking to the police at the moment, darling.’
‘Has he been naughty?’
‘He’s helping them find out what happened to Daddy. Remember we talked about that?’
Ryan was distracted. He pointed at Billy. ‘Who’s that man?’
‘I’m Billy.’
Adele put Ryan down. ‘Never mind about him, go back inside.’
Billy noticed Magda standing in the doorway, face tripping her.
‘Is that his dog?’ Ryan said.
‘Yes,’ Adele said. ‘Now run along and play with Magda for a minute, there’s a good boy.’
‘I don’t want to, it’s boring.’ Ryan looked at Billy. ‘What’s your dog called?’
Billy stared at him. ‘I don’t know.’
‘You don’t know your own dog’s name?’
‘Maybe she doesn’t have one.’
‘That’s just silly, all dogs have names.’
‘Well, what do you think she should be called?’
‘Is it a girl dog?’
Billy nodded.
Ryan thought about this for a while. He reached out a hand and the dog came and sniffed, tail whipping the
