develop the signs that we normally associate with
‘But the slides that were sent to London showed typical
‘Quite so,’ said Bannerman, thoughtfully. The slides that Gill sent us. I think I just might be able to explain that too.’
Their walk took them down past Holyrood Palace where the Royal Family would stay when in the Scottish capital. At the moment only a handful of workmen were in evidence in the courtyard which, in the summer months, would be thronged with tourists anxious to be led through the rooms where Mary Queen of Scots had once collected her tears in a small glass bottle. They came back on to the high road which climbed up the side of Arthur’s Seat, the hill — an extinct volcano — which lay like a recumbent lion in the park. Several joggers from the nearby university halls of residence complex passed them by as they stopped to admire the view across the Firth of Forth to Fife, and the Kinross Hills beyond.
‘You haven’t explained how the first slides were different,’ said Shona.
‘I think there was something wrong with them,’ said Bannerman. ‘I think that’s why Gill tried to send the brains to the MRC when he was on the run.’
They stopped on the south side of the hill to look down at Duddingston Loch, a nature reserve which was clad in the grey hues of winter. A few ducks paddled their way through the reed beds like busy tug boats while two swans sailed serenely past in open water, too elegant to notice. ‘What was wrong with them?’ ‘I don’t want to say just yet. I need to think.’ ‘We haven’t talked about us,’ said Shona. ‘I know,’ said Bannerman. ‘Why not?’
‘I don’t know where to begin,’ confessed Bannerman. ‘I don’t know where we go from here. Do you?’
Shona smiled and Bannerman asked her why. ‘Like I said,’ she replied, ‘the easy way is never for you.’
‘What is the easy way, Shona?’
‘Follow your heart,’ said Shona.
Bannerman opened his mouth to reply but Shona put her index finger on his lips. ‘Ssh!’ she said softly. ‘You are about to tell me that it isn’t that easy. Don’t.’
Shona made to walk on but Bannerman called after her. She turned round and Bannerman said, ‘I do love you, you know, very much.’
‘I know,’ said Shona.
They turned to the hotel to be met in the lobby by two men in dark suits. Bannerman had noticed the desk clerk nod to them as he came through the door.
‘Dr Bannerman?’
Bannerman nodded.
One of the men flicked open an ID wallet and Bannerman saw the photograph and read the name.
‘I’m Inspector Morris. This is Sergeant West. We’re from Special Branch.’
‘What can I do for you?’ asked Bannerman, quite bemused.
‘We’d like you to come with us, sir,’ said Morris.
‘Am I being arrested?’ exclaimed Bannerman.
‘No, sir,’ replied Morris evenly. ‘We’d just like to ask you a few questions.’
‘About what?’
‘Later, sir.’
Bannerman shrugged his apologies to Shona. ‘When will I be back?’ he asked Morris.
‘Can’t say, sir.’
‘Don’t worry,’ said Shona … ‘I’ll wait for you.’
Bannerman was shown out to an unmarked, dark green Austin Montego and ushered into the back. Morris got in beside him. West sat in the front passenger seat and said something to the driver — also in plain clothes — which Bannerman couldn’t quite catch. He felt that there would be no point in asking where they were going and assumed that it would be the police headquarters. He was surprised therefore when the car turned in through the west gate of the Royal Infirmary. Bang went his theory about it having something to do with the disappearance of Colin Turnbull’s body. The car drew to a halt and he was invited to get out.
SIXTEEN
Their footsteps echoed along the corridor that took them to Seminar Room eight. There was no mistaking that they were in a hospital. Even if he had been blindfolded, Bannerman would have recognized the distinctive smells of anaesthetic and disinfectant that pervaded hospitals the world over.
‘In here, sir,’ said West as he opened the door and stood back to allow Bannerman to enter.
There were three men inside. They were seated at a plain wooden table but got up when Bannerman entered.
‘Good of you to come Doctor. Please sit down.’
Bannerman remained standing. He said, ‘You know who I am but I’m afraid you have the advantage of me.’
The two men in suits looked at each other and then said, ‘I’m Jackman.’
‘And I’m Mildrew.’
Mildrew indicated to the white coated man on his left, This is Dr Mellon of the poisons bureau.’
‘Are you Special Branch too?’ asked Bannerman.
‘No we’re not,’ replied Jackman.
‘Then who are you?’ asked Bannerman.
‘I can vouch for these gentlemen, sir,’ said Morris, attempting to defuse the tension.
‘I want to know who they are,’ said Bannerman, evenly.
‘We are from the Ministry of Defence,’ said Jackman with an air of reluctance.
‘Special Branch and the Ministry of Defence,’ said Bannerman slowly. Then presumably this is not in connection with a parking offence?’
Mildrew ignored the comment and said, ‘You are Ian Bannerman, consultant pathologist at St Luke’s Hospital in London?’
‘Correct.’
‘Last night you brought in a sample of sheep brain to the Poisons Reference Bureau and requested toxic analysis on it?’
‘Yes.’
‘Where did you get it?’
‘Why do you want to know?’
‘Surely it’s a reasonable question, Doctor,’ said Jackman.
‘So is mine,’ said Bannerman.
‘Frankly, Doctor, I think I should warn you that if you continue to be obstructive you could be in very serious trouble,’ said Mildrew.
‘What did they find in the sheep brain?’ asked Bannerman. They did find something, didn’t they? That’s what this is all about.’
‘Where did you get it?’
The impasse continued in silence for a few moments before Bannerman said, ‘I’d like to make a telephone call.’
‘Do you think you need a lawyer, Doctor?’ asked Jackman.
‘I’m not calling one,’ said Bannerman. ‘I would like to speak to Mr Cecil Allison of the Prime Minister’s office.’
The Prime Minister’s office?’ repeated Jackman. ‘What do you have to do with the Prime Minister’s office?’
‘I’ve been carrying out an investigation on behalf of the Medical Research Council in conjunction with the PM’s office,’ replied Bannerman.
