'Like what?' 'What if Wiseman's gone after him too? Insch was part of the team that put--' 'So was I. So were a lot of people. We had about a hundred officers working the case at one point. Insch was just a constable back then, your DCS was more influential in the prosecution than Insch.' He paused. 'But if it makes you feel any better, get a patrol car to swing past.' Logan called the Oldmeldrum station - little more than a couple of rooms bolted onto the secondary school - and listened to the phone ring ... the call was diverted to an Airwave handset that hissed and crackled, with the faint sound of yelling and mooing in the background. 'Hullo?' 'This is DS McRae from FHQ, I need you to get a car round to DI Insch's house, South Road, number--' 'Aye, I ken where he lives. But I canna go roond there the noo. We've hid a fatal RTA - poor bugger in a Fiesta hit a coo on the road tae Turra. Some feel left the gate open: I've got coos and blood all ower the place.' Which explained the cattle noises in the background. 'How soon do you think you could--' 'God knows. Like a bloody abattoir out here.' 'Well ... do what you can, OK?' Logan hung up and fidgeted for a bit. 'You really are worried, aren't you?' said Faulds. 'How long would it take you from here? There and back?' Logan checked his watch. 'If we floor it, about an hour and a half.' 'Right.' Faulds stood and grabbed his coat. 'But if we're not back before Wiseman's TV slot, I'll personally strangle you, OK?' 'Deal.' They hurried down through the building, making for the rear podium. A small clump of cameramen loitered at the back door, smoking cigarettes and talking about focal lengths. Alec waved as Logan and Faulds pushed through the back doors. 'This is going to be so cool!' he said, following them to a pool car speckled with rust and seagull droppings. 'Can I ride with you guys? I've got a great idea for a travelling shot, all the way through Torry and up to the Battery, we--' 'Sorry, Alec.' Logan wrenched open the driver's door. 'We've got to go pick up Insch.' 'But ...' The cameraman looked at his watch, his colleagues, back to Logan and then at his watch again. 'But isn't he all the way out--' 'Yes, that's why we can't hang around talking to--' 'Shite ...' Alec clambered into the back seat. 'Come on then, let's roll!'
Logan put his foot down - the dual carriageway flashing past as they took the quick route through Bucksburn, past the airport, and out into the countryside, Bennachie looming vast and purple in the distance. 'So ...' Faulds watched the fields go by. 'I was talking to DI Steel this morning.' He left a pause, but Logan didn't have a clue what he was talking about. 'That's nice.'
