Dead And Buried

Twenty-two

‘He was calling from a pay-phone, in a pub called the Amphora,’ said McIlhenney.

‘The Amphora?’ Skinner exclaimed. ‘Alex and I were there last night. It’s just round the corner from her flat.’

‘I know: Stevie Steele told me. Alex kept the creep on long enough for the boys to identify the number. Stevie had a car there inside five minutes, and he and big Singh were there inside ten. It was a Sunday night, so the place wasn’t packed, but there were quite a few punters in nonetheless. The barman said that nobody had come in or left in twenty minutes, so they thought they were on a winner. The trouble was that everybody denied using the phone, and they were all in groups, so they each had someone to vouch for them.’

‘At least two people were lying, then. I hope Steele got the name and address of everyone there. I want them re-interviewed, individually.’

‘Of course he did, but they could all have been telling the truth. You’ve been there, and so have I. Can you remember where the pay-phone is in the place?’

At once, Skinner knew what he meant. ‘It’s just inside the door, isn’t it?’

‘That’s right, and there’s a big partition between it and the bar. It’s quite possible for somebody to step in off the street and make a phone call without anyone in the pub knowing he was there.’

‘Yes, damn it, you’re right.’ McIlhenney heard a breath being taken, and knew what was coming next. ‘But that doesn’t mean that’s what happened: I still want all those people seen again. I’m not saying haul them in or anything like that, but talk to them. You never know, someone might have gone to the toilet and seen someone on the phone.’

‘It’ll happen, don’t worry.’

‘Of course I’ll fucking worry, Neil; he told her that he liked her friend. I take that to mean that he was watching her this evening, looking right inside her flat. You can do that, you know, and she never closes the bloody curtains.’

‘She’ll know to do that from now on.’

‘Yes, but there’s more to it than that. She’s in the telephone directory, so getting hold of her number’s no problem, but she’s just moved house and she transferred it. This fucker knows about it: he knows where she lives. This isn’t a random thing, man: he knows her or he’s picked her out.’

‘I’ll have her watched round the clock. She won’t come to any harm.’

‘Use the best available.’

‘That should have gone without saying.’

‘You’re right: I’m sorry. Now, there’s another thought that’s occurred to me. These things; quite often they start in the workplace, and Curle Anthony and Jarvis is a big firm.’

‘You want me to. .?’

‘Hell, no! We can’t go crashing in there asking questions: Alex would go bat-shit if we did that. No, I’ve taken care of that already. I’ve spoken to Mitch Laidlaw and I’ve told him what’s happening; he got my drift straight away. First thing tomorrow he’s going to speak to a few people in the office, those he can trust, and ask them to keep their ears to the ground, listening for hints about anyone who might have a crush on my kid. If he comes up with anything, he’ll bring it to you, nobody else, and I’d like you to handle it in person.’

‘Will do. Have you asked Alex about this idea?’

‘Yes. She told me she can’t think of anyone. But she wouldn’t necessarily know, would she?’

‘No, that’s true. Are you going to check in with me while you’re away, or do you want me to give you regular feedback?’

Skinner considered the question for a few moments. ‘It’s best if I call you, I think. My mobile may well be switched off quite often on this posting.’

‘In that case, there’s something I’d like to ask you before you disappear.’

‘Fire away.’

‘It’s about Bandit Mackenzie. I know that Kevin O’Malley’s report was confidential to you and the chief, but I’d like to know what was in it.’

‘Why?’

‘He’s been a bit funny, a shade paranoid. He thinks he’s been bumped off the Drugs Squad.’

‘Did you put him right on that?’

‘Of course, but I’m not sure the message got through.’

‘Kevin says that he’s guilt-ridden. He feels that he bottled it up there, when the bullets started flying.’

‘But he didn’t: he was okay.’

‘Not by his standards. Self-belief is very important to the Bandit. He’d never been in a situation like that before, but he always imagined that if he was, he’d be out front charging the barricades. He found out that night that he doesn’t have what it takes to do that. How he’ll handle that knowledge in the short term, remains to be seen. He’s going to need good management. He knows you, and he likes you; that’s why I put him in your team. Maybe I should have spelled it out. Sorry, mate; my eye hasn’t been one hundred per cent on the ball for the last few days.’

‘No problem. I understand. This Alex thing can’t be helping either. We’ll get it sorted, I promise.’

‘Do you want me to put Bandit somewhere else?’

‘No, he’ll be fine. I’m going to give him Tarvil Singh for a bit of extra support when George Regan gets back.’

‘Mmm.’

‘No?’

‘It’s your call, but maybe you should think about moving Stevie there.’

‘A detective inspector?’

‘You’ve got the whole city to watch now, Neil. You can’t keep an eye on Leith all the time.’