Saints of the Shadow Bible

open. No way he could reach that far. He would have to get out and walk around to close it. As payback went, it was petty but effective.

Rebus couldn’t help but admire her for it.

17

‘You Deano?’

‘Who’s asking?’

It was eight p.m. and music was blaring from within the Gimlet. A chalkboard outside announced that it was 80s Night. The bouncer on the door wore a long black woollen coat and a black polo neck. His hands were in his coat pockets and his feet were splayed.

‘Detective Sergeant Rebus,’ Rebus said, flipping open his warrant card. ‘Is your boss indoors?’

‘Not tonight.’

‘Any idea where I can catch him?’

‘No.’

Rebus pretended to be stymied, even going so far as to scratch his head.

‘Looks like you’re out of luck,’ the bouncer stated. ‘Not me, Deano,’ Rebus replied. ‘You.’

The man was a couple of inches taller than Rebus and carried a similar amount of heft, the difference being one of muscle tone. One look at Deano’s neck told Rebus he was a gym regular. Nicks to both eyebrows meant he had probably boxed at one time, or still did. The small, wary eyes met Rebus’s.

‘How’s that then?’ he asked.

‘I was going to talk to Darryl in person, but I suppose a phone call will have to do. We go way back, me and your boss. Thought it only fair to warn him. .’

A couple of regulars were arriving, men only a few years younger than Rebus.

‘All right, Deano?’ one of them said.

Deano nodded, taking a step to the side so they could get past. As the door opened, Rebus caught a blast of Duran Duran. Someone was singing along, though the band wouldn’t have thanked them for it. The door closed again and Deano resumed his staring match with Rebus.

‘Warn him of what?’ he asked.

‘Someone’s using the Gimlet for drug deals. Like I say, I know Darryl and he’s not that stupid. I’m not saying he wouldn’t get involved, but I doubt he’d let it happen anywhere that could connect so sharply to him.’ Rebus paused. ‘See what I’m saying?’

The bouncer was trying not to show it in his face, but he couldn’t help balling his fists and shifting his feet. Little tics that told Rebus the man was unnerved.

‘Darryl’s going to want to know,’ Rebus pressed on. ‘It’s happening right here without his say-so. That means you’re not doing your job. In fact, story is, the one doing the dealing might be an employee. Darryl’s going to want to know one of his own is in danger of bringing the Drug Squad down on him. Who knows what they’ll turn up once they start looking?’

‘I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about.’

‘Then there’s no problem.’ Rebus took the liberty of stretching out a hand and patting the bouncer’s shoulder. ‘I’ll just call Darryl and give him the story.’

‘Could be a punter,’ Deano blurted out.

‘What’s that?’

‘Selling the dope — could be one of the punters.’

Rebus shook his head and tried for a soulful look. ‘What I’ve heard is it’s someone closer to home. Someone very like yourself. .’ He had lifted his phone to his face, making show of scrolling down the names in his contact list. ‘Here we are,’ he said, pressing the phone to his ear.

‘Hang on a minute,’ Deano said.

‘What?’

‘Just put the phone down.’

Rebus did so, and waited while the cogs turned inside the bouncer’s head.

‘If you’re so sure it’s me, why piss around? Why let me know you know?’

‘Because Darryl never needs to find out. You help me, I help you.’

‘I’m nobody’s snitch.’

‘Don’t fret — it’s not your boss’s secrets I’m interested in.’

‘What then?’

‘You sell to a young guy called Forbes McCuskey.’

‘Do I? Who says?’

‘I don’t have time for this, Deano.’ Rebus lifted the phone again. The bouncer gripped him by the wrist.

‘Okay, okay,’ he said, looking up and down the street. ‘I know who Forbes McCuskey is.’

‘Now we’re getting somewhere. You heard about the car crash?’

Deano looked genuinely puzzled. ‘He was in a crash?’

‘His girlfriend was with him at the time. Out Kirkliston way, other side of the airport.’

‘And what does that have to do with me?’

‘You didn’t happen to be in the vicinity?’

Deano shook his head.

‘So how does it work when Forbes buys from you?’

‘He parks across the road there.’ The bouncer nodded towards the spot where Rebus’s Saab sat. ‘Winds the window down. I go over, he tells me what he needs and I give him a price.’

‘Bit of a mark-up, him being a posh student and all?’

‘I play fair.’ The man actually sounded aggrieved by the accusation.

‘You know he’s the Justice Minister’s son?’ Rebus watched Deano nod. ‘Never tempted to use that?’

‘I didn’t find out until his dad died. Saw his photo on the front of the paper.’

‘You sure that was the first of you twigging? Only, a few papers might pay good money for the story.’

‘Hard to give them a story without being put in the frame myself.’

‘True enough,’ Rebus agreed. ‘And if Darryl were to find out you were conducting a bit of business without his okay. .’

Deano stiffened, squaring his shoulders.

‘How much were you selling to McCuskey?’

‘Enough for him to share with friends.’

‘Coke? Ecstasy?’

‘As and when required, plus a bit of blaw.’

‘And where do you source the stuff?’

The bouncer shook his head slowly and determinedly. ‘You’ve got what you’re getting.’

‘I’ve hardly started, son.’ Rebus took a moment to gather his thoughts. ‘Forbes was freelance? He wasn’t working for you?’

‘No.’

‘When was the last time you saw him?’

‘A couple of weeks.’

‘Is that normal?’

‘He might have other stuff on his plate right now.’

‘True, but I’m wondering how often he used to come see you. Maybe he’s found another outlet.’

‘You think that’s what he was doing the night of the crash?’

Rebus offered a shrug. A car was slowing as it passed the bar. A cheap model with a modified exhaust. Two young men in front, two in the back. Hip-hop blaring. They saw that Deano had company and seemed to recognise what kind of company it was. With a growl from the engine, the car sped off.