Aftershock

Thirty-two

‘Where are we? We’re just crossing the border at a place called Cerbère. Aileen’s driving, to the car’s great relief. We’ve been up in France and now we’re taking the long twisty way back.’

‘Day-tripping?’ said Andy Martin. ‘That’s not like you. I thought you hardly went the length of yourself when you went on holiday.’

‘This was a special case; just doing a favour for our friends Mario and Neil.’

‘What the. .? You’re a workaholic, man.’

‘No, I’m not, honest,’ Skinner assured him. ‘My sabbatical’s cured me of that. It was something that needed doing and the easiest way was for me to do it. Now listen, this call’s costing me a bomb: you’ll have heard from Jimmy by now, yes?’

‘Yes. A few hours back.’

‘And you agreed to what he asked?’

‘He talked me into it.’

‘That’s good; I need the best for this.’

‘I’m not sure you do. It’s cut and dried. I interview people, with Mackenzie alongside me as back-up. I’ve checked that it’s okay to use him, and it is, since he was off sick when all this stuff happened, and not involved in any of it.’

‘Do it formally, on tape.’

Martin laughed. ‘Of course I will; it’d be fucking “Tea and biscuits, how’re you doing?” otherwise. But I know most of the people in the Crown Office, apart from this guy Dowley. They’re all sound.’

‘You start with that bastard. He’s the reason for all this fuss. Plus, he pissed off Jimmy and tried to bully Neil.’

‘Silly man, twice. But, Bob, I don’t have to point out to you, do I, that this is an independent inquiry?’

‘Sorry, you’re right,’ Skinner conceded. ‘You’ll have to interview me before it’s done.’

‘Not if I find a leak first. How do you rate my chances?’

‘What did Muhammad Ali say? “Slim and none, and Slim’s on vacation.” There probably isn’t a leak. This may not be a copycat at all, whatever the Glimmer Twins think. There are two suspects directly linked to the Dean girl. We’ve got the likelier one in our hands and we’re looking for the other.’

‘Then why do you need to haul me down from Dundee?’

‘Because I want you to exceed your brief. Fulfil it, yes, but while you’re at it, I’d like you to review the whole story, everything that led up to the row with the Crown Agent. Are you up for that?’

‘From the beginning?’

‘Yes, the Ballester murders, Stevie Steele’s death, right through to the Sugar Dean case. I want you to look at it all, to see if anything strikes you that we haven’t hit on. That’s the real reason I want you in Edinburgh. I could handle Dowley myself, but I don’t want to do that. He’s done me a favour: he’s given me the chance to bring you on board. I want you to do what you do best: I want you to think outside the box.’

Martin chuckled. ‘Just like old times?’

‘Just like old times,’ said Skinner. ‘I’ve missed you, son.’

‘Okay. I’ll do it. Will anyone else have to know?’

‘Mario. And if you tell him, his blood brother had better be in the picture as well. But that’s all. Mackenzie’s in on the leak inquiry, but not this.’

‘Fine. I’ll be there tomorrow.’

‘That’s good. I’ve fixed it for you to use my office till I get back next Monday.’ Skinner paused. ‘Hey, did Jimmy tell you anything else?’

‘He told me he’s leaving next month. Decision time, Bob. Are you going for it?’

‘Decision made. Answer, yes.’

‘In that case, you should know I won’t be getting in your way.’

‘That’s entirely your decision. I’ll understand if you do apply.’

‘That won’t happen.’

‘In that case, if I’m appointed. .’

‘Let’s cross that one when we get there. How does Aileen feel about it?’

‘The fact that I’m doing it should tell you that. We’ve got a deal. I apply for the job, she marries me.’

‘She’s a brave woman.’ Martin chuckled.

‘She is that. See you.’ He ended the call, and looked across with a smile of satisfaction. ‘Done,’ he said quietly.

‘What do you think he’s going to find?’ Aileen asked.

‘We’ll see; maybe zilch. Tell you one thing, though: if it’s there, Andy will turn it up.’ He flipped the phone open and scrolled through the address book. ‘Now let’s see what I can dig out myself.’ He dialled a number and put the phone to his ear. A female voice answered, cautiously.

‘Dennis.’

‘Amanda, it’s Bob Skinner.’

‘Hello, Bob,’ said the acting director of MI5. ‘Are you in London?’

‘No, I’m not. As of a couple of minutes ago, I’m in Spain.’

‘Too bad, I reckon you owe me dinner.’

‘You’re right. I’ll tell you what, start a tab and I’ll square you up next time we meet.’

‘What does that mean?’

‘Someone in my set-up is doing a bit of freelance work, trying to get an angle on Dražen Boras. She might need a couple of doors opened.’

‘Freelance work? Don’t you have confidence in your Northumbrian colleagues’ ability to find him?’

‘Not a lot, no. They don’t have this person’s motivation.’

‘Who is it?’

‘Maggie Steele.’

‘Jesus, Bob, the victim’s widow?’

‘Are you shocked?’

‘You’re taking a chance.’

‘No, it’s purely a desk job. But if she does come up with any leads, she may need help in checking them out.’

‘Sounds to me like you really need a contact in MI6.’

‘I don’t think our interests coincide. From what you told me, they might not want Boras traced.’

‘True. Very well, if she needs our assistance, tell her to ask for Adrian St John. He’s in our counter-terrorist unit, but he’s best placed to help. I’ll brief him.’

‘Thanks.’ He paused.

‘There’s more?’ Amanda Dennis chuckled.

‘One more thing.’

‘Your tab’s getting longer by the minute.’

‘Remember in the bad old days in Ireland, people who were considered targets were issued with firearms for personal protection? I haven’t come up against it for a while, but in this new high-alert era, I wondered if it still happens, say, with someone who might not qualify for full-scale protection-squad cover.’

‘It’s possible. Do you have anyone in mind?’

‘Let’s keep it broad and say politicians.’

‘You don’t want to give me a name?’

Skinner sighed. ‘Shadow Defence.’

‘Him? Wouldn’t be surprised; he’s abrasive and high profile, bloody well asking for it. He’s also Jewish, although he says he’s non-practising; that makes him an even more inviting target for Islamic terrorists. I’ll find out. Call me back in a couple of hours.’

‘Will do.’

‘By the way, Bob,’ said Dennis, ‘I’m rather partial to a place called Passione.’