Skinner's ghosts

85

'Mitch, does your firm handle property sales?'

'No,' said Laidlaw. 'But I can recommend good people. Why?'

'I'm selling the Gullane cottage,' said Skinner.

'You hardly need do that, Bob,' the portly lawyer beamed, 'since the Secretary of State has said that his office would fund your defence costs. He was pretty magnanimous in his statement exonerating you, after the line he took at the start.'

'He was told to be,' said Skinner.

The lawyer shot him a curious look. 'Fine by me,' he said. 'It means I can now add your daughter's time to the fee note with a clear conscience.'

The policeman laughed.

'I was surprised by what he said in the rest of the statement,'

Laidlaw went on, 'that the al egations had proved to be spurious and that there would be no further enquiries.'

'He was told to say that too,' said Skinner, in a way which invited no further discussion of the matter.

'Stil, Mitch,' he went on, quickly, 'despite the outcome, it was pretty hairy while it lasted. Al your input and support was much appreciated, and I thank you for it.'

'Don't mention it. It's good to see you looking so relaxed after it all, and after yesterday's events. You've had no reaction to…' The rest of the question was unnecessary.

Skinner glanced at him. 'To having to shoot Heuer?' He shook his head. 'No. It's a part of the job. Not an everyday part, thank goodness, but part nonetheless. Heuer made his choice when he killed Leona.

Up the crematorium chimney's the best place for him.'

'Was he killed outright?' asked the solicitor, slightly awed by a side of his friend that he had never seen.

'Oh yes. When your brains are al over the wal behind you, everything else tends to stop working.'

Laidlaw shuddered. 'How were the children, afterwards?' he asked.

The policeman grimaced. 'WeeTanya's completely withdrawn. It'll take her a long time to recover I think, if she ever does. I don't envy Bruce Anderson his job as a father. I think he may even resign his office to look after her.

'As for Mark, he's a remarkable and resilient wee boy. But he's still only that: a wee boy, orphaned by violence.'

'What'l happen to him?'

'He's with his grandparents just now, but they're retired. He'll need a different long-term solution. Still, I'm sure that one will be found.'

Laidlaw nodded. 'Let's hope so. Anyway, back to your house: you're serious?'

'Yes. I just fancy a change, somewhere I can build a new set of memories. I plan to sell the Edinburgh house too, and buy another place in Gul ane.'.,,.,

'Ah so we won't be losing you from the Thursday night footbal club.' '

'Shit no. That's my religion.'

'That's good. But after yesterday, I won't be kicking you again, that's for sure.'

Skinner laughed as he rose to his feet. 'Is my daughter available, by the way?' he asked.

Laidlaw shook his head. 'No, she cal ed in and asked for the day off. She said that you and she and Andy had had a stressful time last night, unwinding. I told her I quite understood, and that I'd see her on Monday.

'She did ask me to give you a message, though. She said that a delivery service had been trying to reach you, about a package that's en route to you. She's told them you'll receive it at Fairyhouse Avenue at midday.'

Skinner frowned as he headed for the door of the lawyer's office.

'Delivery service?' he mused, aloud. 'Wonder what the hell that's about? The way my luck's been going lately, this one really will be a bomb.'