a dozen boards at the same time.’
‘Not a bad analogy,’ Fox agreed with a smile. ‘And if he looks like losing even one of those games. .’
‘Time to duck before the pieces go flying.’
Now they were both smiling, and the cold didn’t seem as bad as all that.
‘Thanks for letting me know,’ Clarke said into the silence. ‘About the mystery message, I mean. What’s the next step?’
‘It goes to the bottom of a rather crowded in-tray. Might be it never comes up for air. With reorganisation, a lot of paperwork could end up in the vaults.’
‘Is that ethical?’
‘You think a bit of Rebus has rubbed off on me already?’
‘He can have that effect.’ Clarke noticed her glass was empty. ‘Another?’ she asked.
‘I’ve not started this one yet. But look. . and don’t take this the wrong way or anything. .’
‘Go on,’ she prompted.
‘I was wondering if you’d eaten — because I haven’t and I’m starving.’
‘Broughton Street’s got everything you need,’ Clarke said. ‘And to tell you the truth, a curry might just hit the spot. .’
Day Six
11
Next morning, Rebus dropped into Gayfield Square. There was no point arriving at the Sheriff Court before Fox and finding a locked door. DCs Esson and Ogilvie had a pot of coffee on the go, and — as a bonus — there was no sign of James Page.
‘He’s in the huff,’ Esson explained.
‘Because Nick Ralph got given the sweeties?’ Rebus guessed.
‘Plus he can’t even take it out on you, since the Solicitor General stole you from us.’
‘I almost feel sorry for the man.’ Rebus took a slurp of coffee, then made a face.
‘Ronnie bought it,’ Esson explained. Rebus looked to Ronnie Ogilvie.
‘I didn’t see “decaf ” on the packet.’
‘Or the words “cheap and nasty”,’ Rebus added. ‘That’s some hat-trick, son.’ Rebus’s mobile phone alerted him to a call. He saw Ogilvie and Esson exchange a look.
‘That ringtone’s BB King, by the way,’ he informed them. ‘So don’t even start.’ Then, into the phone itself: ‘Good morning, Inspector Fox — what can I do for you?’
‘Elinor Macari wants to see us. How soon can you get here?’
‘The Sheriff Court? Ten minutes with a headwind. What’s up?’
‘You remember that your friend had a word with Billy Saunders?’
‘According to Saunders,’ Rebus felt it necessary to qualify. ‘We’ve not heard Stefan Gilmour’s version yet.’
‘Well, that’s going to happen sooner rather than later. Billy Saunders has vanished.’
‘Vanished?’
‘His car was found this morning on a patch of wasteland in Niddrie. Guy who runs the minicab office hadn’t heard from him all through the night shift. Apparently his last job was from a pub called the Gimlet. .’
‘Just off Calder Road?’
‘Might have guessed you’d know it.’
‘I was in there asking about the stuff taken from the McCuskey house.’
‘Well, the destination was Niddrie Marischal Road.’
‘Bandit country,’ Rebus commented. ‘Does the passenger have a name?’
‘Robinson.’
‘Probably fake.’
Fox had to ask: ‘What makes you say that?’
‘If he drinks in the Gimlet, chances are he’s dodgy to start with. And people don’t go to Niddrie at night for the Michelin restaurants. So Mr Dodgy was probably about to
‘And wouldn’t want his name cropping up if we ran a check?’ Rebus could almost hear Fox nodding his acceptance of the argument. ‘Ten minutes, you say?’
‘Will there be coffee?’
‘If we’re talking the Solicitor General’s inner sanctum, I think there’s one of those Nespresso machines.’
‘You silver-tongued bastard. I’m on my way. .’
Elinor Macari’s assistant brought the tray through.
‘Smells great,’ Rebus said, accepting one of the small white mugs. There were even biscuits, and he selected one from the plate. Macari was seated behind her desk and didn’t want coffee. She drank from a bottle of still water and looked as though she’d spent at least an hour of the morning at some gym or other. Her skin glowed. When the assistant left, she asked Fox for his report.
‘DS Rebus should probably do the talking,’ Fox told her, so that was what Rebus did, giving his view of the Gimlet and its clientele. Afterwards, the Solicitor General tossed her empty bottle into a waste basket and pressed her hands together.
‘Plan of action?’ Her eyes drilled into Rebus’s.
‘He’s not been gone long. Might be he’s got a lumber somewhere or will wander back home after a day or two, having bankrupted himself at a casino or card game.’
‘Or he’s been paid to make himself scarce — would we happen to know of anyone with money enough to make that happen?’
‘We’ll be talking to Stefan Gilmour,’ Fox interrupted. ‘We’ll also track down Saunders’s last fare, just in case it ties in.’
‘What else?’ the Solicitor General demanded.
‘We can question family and friends, ask his mobile provider for a list of calls made and received. .’
She nodded, as if finally just about satisfied.
‘Mind if I ask something?’
‘What is it, DS Rebus?’
‘You interviewed Saunders, didn’t you? Could that have spooked him?’
‘It’s possible,’ Macari conceded. ‘A follow-up session was due later today.’
‘Might be why he ran, then.’ Rebus paused. ‘Did he give you anything?’
‘He was reticent.’
‘Were you prepared to offer him a deal?’
‘Not immediately. But if you’re concerned, I’m happy to reassure you your own name didn’t come up — that’s the only reason you’re sitting here. Malcolm has explained his thinking to me, and I can see why he might find you useful. . up to a point.’
‘I’m guessing I’ll know when that point is reached?’
‘Believe me, you will.’
‘Fine then. But meantime, have we earned our coffee and biscuit?’
For his efforts, Rebus received the sort of look she would have given a busted rowing machine. Fox was rising to his feet, placing his mug back on the tray.
‘We’ve taken enough of your time,’ he was saying.
Rebus followed suit, pausing just long enough to lift a second digestive. Macari said nothing, but kept her eyes on them as they exited the office. Once the door was closed, she reached forward and took the one remaining biscuit, studying it for the best part of thirty seconds before indulging in a large, satisfying bite.
The Gimlet wouldn’t open for another hour, so they took Rebus’s Saab to Niddrie. The worst of the housing stock had been ripped down and replaced. Gap sites existed, and it was on one of these that the Ford Sierra had
