Hour Of Darkness

Thirty-Nine

‘Is one pleased with oneself?’ Sauce Haddock asked as he closed the door of the small office.

‘Dunno what you mean,’ Pye murmured.

‘Not fucking much! We went in there handcuffed and you wind up getting to drive the whole bloody train.’

The DI permitted himself a small smile. ‘There is that,’ he conceded. ‘Mary’s a good boss. She’s constructive, and not obstructive, like fucking Mackenzie. By the way,’ he added, ‘you never heard me say that, or that I’m not looking forward to him sorting his personal issue.’

‘I don’t think anyone in Edinburgh CID is, Sammy. He’s a strange man, is our superintendent.’

‘Well, at least he’s not here to get in our way. Priorities, Sauce. We’ve got Booth’s list of meetings with the van driver. This is not going to be easy, but I want you to contact all the petrol companies, including the supermarkets, and ask them if they can identify all sales of fuel made on and around those dates and in those localities that were settled with a Spanish credit or debit card. They should be able to do that.’

‘But will they do it for me? I’m just a humble detective sergeant. . and a very junior one, as the boss pointed out when she made me get the fucking coffee!’

‘Just drop your voice an octave or so,’ the DI suggested, ‘and they’ll think you’re a grown-up. Ask Jackie to help you. Going by the results she’s been getting with her phone research, nobody could say no to her.’ He looked up. ‘And speaking of DC Wright. .’

The glass-panelled door opened and the young detective stuck her head into the room. ‘Excuse me, Inspector,’ she began, ‘but I was wondering, do you still want me to go with the DS to interview this man Gayle. It’s just that I’ve. .’

‘Got a date tonight?’ Haddock ventured.

She flushed. ‘As it happens, yes. . not that I can’t cancel it.’

‘No,’ Pye replied. ‘Your love life’s secure. The game’s changed; I’ve got another task for you and Sauce. I’ll talk to Gayle myself.’

‘Thanks, boss,’ she said, a smile lighting up her face. ‘In that case, I’ve established from the Western General that he’s working today, until ten o’clock, when the night staff come on. I thought I should check that, rather than go all the way to Tranent only to find out that he wasn’t in.’

‘Did you get me a parking space as well?’ the DI asked, deadpan.

‘Oh no, boss,’ she gasped. ‘I’m sorry; I forgot.’

He grinned. ‘Don’t let it ruin your day. You probably forgot also that the Western General is bang next door to our headquarters building. I don’t think my car’s going to be a problem.’