Head Shot

59

Dan Pringle sat with his face buried in his hands. 'Where are you when I need you. Bob Skinner?' he exclaimed, in a muffled grunt. The coffees on the dining table had grown cold in their mugs as Maggie had explained the remarkable appearance in two investigations of the late Magnus Essary, a man who, it seemed, was not so dead after all.

He looked up and across at her. 'You're telling me that this Father Green was picked up in a pub by some young tart, kil ed in some way or another, and certified as a heart-attack victim by this bent doctor, Amritraj.'

'Who's now done a runner himself,' Rose added.

'You're also telling me that this same Magnus Essary and his partner Ella Frances…'

'Who claimed the body and had it cremated.'

'… set up a wine-importing company together and rented space in the Viareggio family warehouse, which they never used. And when the deal was done, the only guy who saw either of them was Beppe Viareggio himself.'

'That sums it up.'

'And your theory is…'

'That it has to be an insurance scam. It's got nothing to do with the wine business. That was a pure front; there's no evidence that they imported a single bottle. My bet is that if we trawl round the major companies we'll find a large term insurance policy written on the life of Magnus Essary.'

'Why would they set up a company to do that?' asked Pringle.

'I can think of a couple of reasons. Better rates for a start; also, it's common practice for small businesses to have big policies on the lives of key people, but an individual doing it might attract more attention.'

'And if you're right, how quickly would they pay out after a death?'

'I have no idea. That's one of the many things we need to find out; which is why I'm here tonight. Who does the finding out? This man Essary is central to a crime that's been committed in my territory, but 244

Greg Jay's looking for him as well. We don't want to duplicate effort, so…' She let the rest of her question hang in the air.

'He's yours, Maggie,' the head ofCID answered at once. 'You picked the bal up, so you run with it. I'l brief Jay in the morning. Do you need anything from me, other than that decision?'

'I don't think so, but if I do, I'l give you a shout, don't worry.'

'What do you plan to do, then?'

'Ask around the major life offices, first thing in the morning; that's top priority. But I'm also going to find out as much as I can about Essary, starting at the General Register Office.'

'Good idea,' Pringle muttered. 'Do we go public on this?' he added, almost to himself.

'Please no, Clan,' said Rose, quickly. 'The real Essary is stil out there, thinking he's got away with it. I've already got Strathclyde to agree not to release the news that Father Green's been traced. I need him to think that he's in the clear.'

'Okay, you play it that way. But don't be surprised if he's no' just in the clear, but in the bloody Bahamas by now.'

'Are you going to be able to talk to me about your new job?' she asked.

Neil Mcllhenney propped himself on an elbow and looked down at her, then reached under the duvet and pinched himself on the right buttock, hard enough to make himself wince.

'What are you doing?' she asked again, amused.

'Making sure I'm awake,' he answered, 'and that I really am in bed with Louise Bankier, actress. I'm surprised you've never caught me at it before.'

'You're in bed with your wife, my darling. What my day job used to be is irrelevant. It's yours that matters now.'

'Not to the kids, it isn't. Have you any idea how many Brownie points they've picked up at school since you and I got hitched? Lauren's become a sort of icon among her pals, and as for Spencer… I've told that wee bugger that if I ever catch him selling your autograph again, I'll ground him for a year.'

He reached over and flicked a strand of hair away from her eye.

'Anyway, you're not completely out of your day job. They haven't even finished the edit of your Edinburgh movie, and there'll be the premieres and al that other stuff.'

'Well, the kids will love that too. But once it's over, I'm out of the business, for at least five years. That's what I promised you and I wil stick to it.'

'It's a promise I never asked you to make.'

'I know. That's what makes it all the more important to me. I'm your wife, Neil; and I've never been so happy in any role, honestly.' She looked him in the eye. 'Remember what I said about me having a baby?'

He gasped. 'You're not, are you?'

'No… not as far as I know, anyway. However I have been to see a specialist, up at the Murrayfield Hospital, and she assured me that, physical y, everything's fine and that there's no reason why I can't. We know you're in good working order… you've just proved that… so…'

He laughed. 'I'll keep my efforts up, so to speak. But remember, it's pot luck at the end of the day.'

'I know. Look at Maggie and Mario. How long have they been married now?'

His expression changed. 'Ah, but that isn't a matter of luck… well, maybe it is, but it's bad luck on Mario's part. Randy big sod that he is, he's unfortunate in that respect. Don't tell him I told you, though.'

'As if I would! It's bad luck for Maggie too, though. I know she maintains her career-woman image, but the truth is, I think she'd like to have a baby.'

'She tel you that?'

'Not exactly; it's just a feeling I have. But don't you mention it to her.'

'Of course not.' He ran a finger round the edge of one of her big brown nipples. 'Speaking of keeping secrets, I know this sounds a bit sil y in this day and age, but when you're doing the publicity interviews and stuff for the new movie, if any joumo asks you about me, and about what I do, tel them I'm a copper, that's fine, but don't get specific, okay? I mean I wil talk to you about my job, but it is a bit sensitive, and I wouldn't hold it long if it was mentioned in Hello magazine and the like.'

'I understand. I promise, my angel; you wil remain a man of mystery as far as my public is concerned.' She gave a shiver under his touch.

'Hey,' she murmured, 'do that some more. I'm approaching peak fertility just now, you know.'

Neil moved closer to her. 'I'l have to see what I can do, then.'

He was about to show her, when the bedside phone rang. 'McGuire,' she heard him growl as he picked it up. 'This is just like the old days when you were single and used to phone me at al bloody hours.'

'Perish the thought,' his friend answered. 'I'm sorry, pal… and say sorry to Lou as well… but this is important, and I didn't want to cal you about it from home.'

In the background Neil could hear soft music. 'Where the hell are you, then?'

'I'm at Paula's. We'd some business to discuss.'

'You just watch it there, son. I remember her from the old days, as well.'

'Aye, but we're grown up now, though. Listen now; you got a pen handy?'

'As always.'

'Right, get it; because there's some stuff I need checked out on the QT, and I can't do it myself without making waves. It's the sort of thing that's best handled through your office, not mine. I need chapter and verse and I need it damn quick.'