‘Oh, he did more than that: Anthony arranged a three-way. Me, him, and fiery little Agnes.’ Stacey smiled at Logan, long and slow. ‘You might not think it to see me now, but I do scrub up
‘And Agnes was OK with that? ’
‘Well, she wasn’t really into the whole girl-on-girl part of proceedings, but she did her best. For him. And she did have a
Logan frowned. OK, right now Stacey looked as if she’d slept in a skip and smelled like the floor of a pub after a rowdy night, but under the stale alcohol haze, the smeared makeup, messy hair, and scabby knees she probably
‘Agnes did it to please Anthony Chung, but what was in it for you? ’
A grin lit up her face. ‘Darling, he has the most wonderful weed you’ve ever smoked in your life. And it pissed Daddy off no end that I was shagging a Chinaman.’
Maybe not so attractive.
‘Well, your dad can rest easy: Anthony Chung’s dead.’
‘Ah. .’ The grin faded from Stacey’s face. ‘In that case, I think I
DI Bell stopped in the middle of the corridor. He tightened his grip on the folder under his arm and narrowed his eyes. ‘What are
‘And hello to you too.’ Logan locked his office door.
‘I don’t need you checking up on me, I’m perfectly capable of organizing a simple op at a soup kitchen. I was a DI long before-’
‘I’m going home, OK? Had to process someone who was sleeping with Anthony Chung. And Agnes Garfield.’
Ding-Dong sidled closer, big hairy paw fidgeting with the knot on his tie. ‘Why? ’
‘Because soon as she heard Anthony was dead, she clammed up and demanded a lawyer. Sound suspicious to you? ’
‘And you think this woman and Agnes are in it together? They both killed Anthony Chung and Roy Forman? ’
Logan stuck the keys in his pocket. ‘Or she’s just messing with us, because that’s the kind of thing she enjoys. Either way, I’m going home.’
Ding-Dong took a step back, looking away down the corridor in the vague direction of the cell block. ‘You think I should have a pop at interviewing her? ’
‘You can if you want, but it’s. .’ A frown. Wait a minute. . DI Bell’s suit looked immaculate, as if it’d just been pressed, the shirt freshly ironed. His shoes shone like new buttons too. And what was that smell? Logan sniffed: aftershave. Ding-Dong never wore aftershave. ‘What are you up to? ’
‘Nothing wrong with being a team player.’
‘Yeah, but you’re being all possessive about this soup-kitchen thing — a lead
A blush coloured his freshly shaven cheeks. ‘I don’t see what’s wrong with-’
‘Making a good impression? It’s Steel, isn’t it? You’re angling for the DCI’s job.’
‘Now you’re just being-’
‘What’s the ACC told you?. . They’re looking to get shot of her, aren’t they? They think she’s not up to the job and
Ding-Dong raised his chin, letting a tuft of black fur poke out over his shirt collar. ‘I’m not going to dignify that with a response.’
Logan stared at him for a couple of beats. ‘OK, fine. Whatever. Nothing to do with me: I’ve got an appointment anyway.’
‘Good.’ He turned and lumbered down the corridor, broad shoulders rolling beneath the straining shirt.
‘Watch your back, Ding-Dong. She’s bloody vicious if you cross her.’
DI Bell stopped with one hand on the door handle. ‘I’ll bear that in mind.’ And then he was gone.
Logan’s phone vibrated in his pocket. Another text message.
Where R U? Thot we sed 8:30?
Speaking of which. .
He picked out a reply on the mobile’s little keyboard.
On my way now. See you soon.
After all, it wouldn’t do to keep a lady waiting. Especially not one that could kick his arse from Grampian to Strathclyde.
34
The words of an old song echoed out from the bathroom, mingling with the roar of the shower: a Pink Floyd number rendered with more enthusiasm than talent or musical ability. Couldn’t carry a tune if it was bound, gagged, and locked in the boot of a car.
Logan stretched out, flat on his back, the duvet rumpled down about his chest. Warmth oozed through his limbs, pulling him down into the fresh sheets. Mmmm. .
‘Stop grinning.’ Samantha settled on the edge of the bed. ‘Makes you look like a smug hamster.’ The oversized black T-shirt rode up around her thighs, Marilyn Manson glaring out from her boobs with his lopsided contact lenses. One of her knee-length red-and-black striped socks had a hole in it, a little toe poking out — nail painted shiny black. ‘See you got rid of Shakespeare.’
A big sigh inflated Logan’s chest, then let it go again. Warm and fuzzy. . ‘Couldn’t have him ogling you in the nip. That’s my job. Union won’t stand for it.’
She laid a hand on his chest. Looked away towards the bathroom, then back down at him. ‘Do you love her? ’
‘I love
‘Don’t avoid the question, Captain Stabmarks: do you love her? ’
‘I. . No. I used to, but it was a long time ago.’
‘Good.’ Samantha nodded, a smile curling one side of her mouth. ‘Just remember: you’re mine, Sunshine.’
A clunk, then the bedroom door opened and DS Jackie Watson stepped into the room, head on one side, drying her long dark hair on a grey towel, a big blue one wrapped around her middle, hiding all the naughty parts. A small furrow appeared between her eyebrows. ‘Thought I heard voices? ’
Logan turned, but Samantha was gone. ‘Just. . talking to myself.’
‘Got to watch that.’ Jackie sank down onto the bed, in the exact same spot that Samantha had just vacated. ‘Bad enough you work with a bunch of nutjobs without turning into one.’ Water droplets shone on her pale shoulders, sitting in the hollows carved into her skin by bra straps.
She reached out and picked Agnes Garfield’s dittay book from the bedside cabinet. ‘A red leather journal? Maybe it’s too late after all. .’ She flipped through it, one eyebrow climbing further and further up her forehead with every page. ‘Oh God, you write
‘It’s not mine. It’s from the necklacing case.’
Jackie took a deep breath, creating a swell of cleavage at the border of the towel. ‘Listen to this:
“I give my love a token,
of all the hearts he’s broken,
The lungs that are exploding,
the harsh words that were spoken,
