‘I can assure you I’ve taken it on board.’
The slow shake of the head the detective gave in response told Rebus he wasn’t fooled. He watched as Creasey crossed the road to his car and climbed in. The door to the bar opened and Jimmy Hess emerged.
‘Best be off,’ he said, shrugging himself into his fleece.
‘Thank you for coming. I hope your grandfather perks up soon.’
‘He’s ninety-three years old. I doubt perking up is on the cards.’
‘But his faculties are intact – enough for Keith to have put a few questions to him?’
‘The pair of them talked. Not sure my grandad was much help. His memory’s not what it was, and it was such a long time ago.’
‘I wouldn’t mind a word with him at some point.’
‘I’ll see what I can do.’
‘Who looks after him, if you don’t mind me asking?’
‘Just me. We manage for the most part.’
‘Must be tough when you’re at work.’
Jimmy Hess’s face darkened a little. ‘I packed in my job so I could be more help. Part and parcel of being a family, eh?’ He looked up towards the gathering dusk. ‘You never know what’s round the next corner.’ He slipped the hood of his fleece over his head and began to walk.
After a moment or two, Rebus headed indoors. Joe Collins was napping at the table, hands resting in his lap. Music was playing through the speakers, but only just audibly. The bar was back to regulars again. The media had moved on; ditto the ghouls. Rebus hoisted himself onto one of the bar stools.
‘What’ll it be?’ May Collins asked.
‘Coffee, strong as you can make it.’
‘Bed not comfy last night?’
‘Brain wouldn’t switch off.’
‘You sure coffee’s the answer?’
‘I don’t know, May – what was the question again?’
She was laughing as she headed to the machine.
19
The Jenever Club hadn’t quite opened for the evening, but its door was unlocked, which was why Dennis Jones was able to walk in and demand to see Morris Cafferty.
‘People usually call me Big Ger,’ a voice barked from the mezzanine level.
Jones took the stairs two at a time. He had a large frame and still considered himself fit. Played badminton and squash. He’d been partnered with a colleague, Gillian Bowness, for a varsity doubles competition. That had been the beginning of his trouble.
Cafferty was seated at the last banquette along. He was on his own, and was folding closed the screen of his computer as Jones approached.
‘Take a seat,’ he said, ‘and tell me what’s on your mind.’
‘I think you already know.’ Jones was breathing hard, powered by adrenalin.
‘Does your wife know you’re here?’
‘All she told me was that someone had footage. Had to come from here, so I did a bit of digging. Didn’t take much in the way of detective skills.’
‘And now here you are, so what exactly is it I can do for you?’
‘I won’t let you do this to her.’
‘Who?’
‘Jenni.’
‘I assume you mean Assistant Chief Constable Lyon? What did she say to you?’
‘Just that she was fixing it and I wasn’t to worry. But if fixing it means dealing with trash like you … ’
‘You’d rather it was all made nice and public?’ Cafferty gave the beginnings of a chuckle, stopping as he saw Jones’s hands forming themselves into fists. ‘Don’t do anything radically more stupid than you already have. Now sit down while I tell you something I haven’t yet told your good lady.’
He bided his time until Jones bent to his will and slid onto the banquette.
‘The footage we caught of you here is tame stuff – a smooch and a snog, a bit of powder up the nose. You should see what sometimes goes on. But I pride myself on knowing who’s who. Your uni job didn’t interest me, but your life partner did.’ He paused. ‘Which is why I had someone keep an eye on you for a week or two. That country park near your place of work – a beautiful spot and woefully under-used. Car park’s often completely empty … ’ He was watching the effect his words were having. Dennis Jones began visibly to deflate. ‘Bit reckless really, don’t you think? Though I did admire your friend’s agility. Must be all that badminton.’ He paused again. ‘I can’t be sure what you told the missus, but pictures like that on the front page of a red-top … well, that’s a marriage killer right there.’
He leaned forward, elbows on the table. ‘This isn’t about you, Dennis. I doubt Jenni’s too bothered about you and your career. Hers, on the other hand … ’ He leaned back again. ‘How do you think she’d react if she knew you’d come here? I’ll tell you: she’d be apoplectic, because you’re in danger of royally pissing me off. One call to the media, one email attachment, and she’s all over the papers. So while I can quite understand the macho posturing, it’s time for you to slope off home and leave your wife to deal with the shitty nappy you’ve left on her pristine floor.’
He opened the computer lid again, signalling the end of the meeting.
‘You’ve not heard the last of this,’ Jones blustered, getting to his feet.
‘You best hope I fucking well have,’ Cafferty responded with a glare before turning his attention to his screen.
He listened to the footsteps stomping back down the staircase, then slid out from his seat and checked over the balcony. His visitor had gone. Taking out his phone, he made a call.
‘Malcolm?’ he said when it was answered. ‘You still at your desk? Be downstairs in fifteen minutes … ’
It was a large black Mercedes, its rear windows heavily tinted. As Fox exited Leith police station, the driver emerged, closing the door after him. Fox crossed the street. The driver wasn’t very tall, but he looked as if he could handle himself, all wired nerves and attitude, wrapped in a leather bomber jacket.
‘Back seat,’ he stated.
Fox got in next to Cafferty. The driver stayed
