Head Shot

10

She owns three licensed saunas in central Edinburgh that belonged original y to Tony Manson; she bought them when his estate put them on the market. You know the way those places run.'

'She bought them with what? Family money?'

'No. Neither my mum nor I would have stood still for it if she'd done that.'

'How could you have stopped it?'

'We'd have raised hell with Beppe, and if that wasn't enough, we'd have got my nana to veto it. My uncle would never disobey her. No, Paula used her own dough to buy those businesses… but I don't know where she got it.'

'Are you saying that your cousin's dodgy?'

'I'm saying that when I was in Special Branch, I went so far as to keep a private file on her. There's nothing in it to prove that she's bent, but I've been a copper long enough to worry about her. I like Paula, you see; she's got a wildness about her, same as I used to have, til I met you.

What she's doing just now is within the law as it stands. I keep tabs on her so that if she ever looks like stepping across the line, I'll be there to haul her back.'

She settled back down beside him. 'Have you spoken to your mother about this?'

'I don't need to. She's got her eye on the ball, and on Paula as well.'

'Hmm,' she murmured. 'So why this family party, I wonder?'

'Dunno. Maybe it's my nana's idea. Could be; her word's still law. For all she's eighty-seven, Uncle Beppe stil jumps when she barks. Anyway, we'l find out on Wednesday. That's when it is.'

'Have I got to go?'

'Like I said, you're specifically invited, my dear.'

'Yes. But have I got to go?'

She could sense his smile in the dark. 'I'd like you to. With that lot, I might need a witness.'

Bob Skinner's mobile phone stored ninety-nine numbers; he flicked through the index until he found number sixty-six, then pushed the rapid-dial button.

The call was answered, on the third ring, by a woman. In that instant, the policeman was taken by surprise; his friend was single

… or had been the last time they had spoken. 'Is that the Doherty residence?' he asked.

'Sure. This is Philippa; Dad's watching the ball game.' Of course; he had forgotten that Joe had a daughter, the same age as Alexis, his own first-born.

'I'm taking my life in my hands, in that case. Could you tell him that his friend from Scotland is calling.'

'Just one minute, please. Dad!'

In fact it took less than thirty seconds for Joe Doherty to come on line. 'Hey, Bob. What gives? Your man Martin called me this morning; told me what had happened. This fucking country I live in.. .' He broke off. 'Where the hel are you, anyway?'

'I'm stil in Malaysia. There's been a delay on my flight, but I should be on the move soon. Sorry to come between you and the Lakers, or the Bul s or whoever…'

'The Wizards, buddy,' said Doherty. 'Always the Wizards, for my sins.'

'Basketbal 's a closed book to me, mate; those two names, plus Michael Jordan, are the only ones I know.'

'What about Magic Johnson?'

'Played for Glasgow Rangers, as far as I know… at least he did every now and again.' He drew a line across the sporting exchange.

'How's the new job going?' he asked.

'Great, so far. Truth is I'm glad to be back where I belong.'

Skinner had known Joe Doherty since the American's spell as the resident FBI man in the US Embassy in London. The election to the White House of an old col ege chum had led to his being plucked from Grosvenor Square to an exalted post with the National Security Council.

The change of tenancy in Washington had brought that to an end, but the new incumbent had been sufficiently impressed to send Doherty back to the Bureau as second-in-command and, as most insiders saw it, director in-waiting.

'Andy told you the story about Sarah's folks, then.'

'Yeah. I'm really sorry, man. Of course I've done what he asked, and a little more. Two of my people, rather than the police, will meet you at JFK, and arrange your onward transport. We'll fly you upstate in one of our aircraft.'

'Hey, Joe, I didn't mean for you to get the Bureau involved in ferrying me about.'

'Don't worry about that for one second. We know who our friends are, especially since last September, and I'm sending a clear signal to the cops on the ground that you are one of them. Now, what else can I do for you? I know you didn't just cal to improve your working knowledge of the NBA.'

Skinner laughed lightly. 'Al knowledge is power, mate; I thought that was your lot's motto. But you're right; I was wondering if you'd get someone to look into that legendary computer of yours and see if you can come up with a list of unsolved homicides where robbery was the motive…'

'Jesus, Bob, it'l take a lot of paper to print that out!' Doherty interrupted.

'Humour me on this, eh?'

It was as if he could hear Doherty's brain click into gear. 'Okay. You want anything else while we're in there?'

'Yes. Can you also print me out a list of murders, also unsolved, where a wire ligature was used?'

'I guess we can manage that too. But I hope you got a good-sized document case with you.'

'A Zero Hal iburton attache, my son. The strongest there is.'

'We'l fil it for you; you can bet on that.' Doherty paused. Skinner heard a click and guessed that he was lighting a cigarette.

'Haven't you chucked smoking yet?' he asked.

'Say that in a soprano voice and you'd sound just like Philippa. Have you any idea how many people around the world rely on guys like me to keep them in a job?'

'Sure. I've met several; all of them were either oncologists or cardiologists.'

'I prefer to think about the little guys in the tobacco plantations and on the production lines. But whatever way you look at it, I'm performing a public service. Anyhow, what are you going to do with al this stuff I'm going to get for you?'

The? Nothing. I just want to help the investigating officers al I can, that's al.'

'Sure. By shoving firecrackers up their asses… I know you.'

The Scot chuckled again. 'If they're not doing it already I'm sure they'd get round to it eventual y. I just thought we could help the process along, that's all. Kid gloves, Joe; I'll wear kid gloves, I promise you.' He paused; for a second or two, Doherty thought they had lost the line. 'He never did say it in the movie, you know,' he resumed, at last.

'Uh?'

'He never did say it.'

'What?'

'Play it again, Sam.'

Skinner could almost hear the American's bewilderment as he ended the cal and headed for the boarding gate.