Quintin Jardine - Stay of Execution

‘What do you propose to do about his absence?’

‘I’ve put the word out already to all the Traffic cars to keep an eye out for him. That’s all for now; he could still turn up on foot for his meeting with Aileen de Marco. He’s not due there for another couple of minutes. If he hasn’t shown up anywhere by this midday, though, I’ll have to consider starting a wider search and informing NYPD that he’s missing.’

‘Could he simply have headed for home?’

‘His plane ticket was still in a drawer in his room, under the Gideon Bible. His passport wasn’t there, so in theory he might have, but without his clothes, his personal effects. .’

‘Maybe he had some bad news.’

‘If he did, it was after he left Paula Viareggio’s place. But it didn’t reach him through the hotel, and he didn’t have a cell phone.’

Sir James sighed. ‘It’s a mystery, right enough; but like most mysteries, we’ll get to the bottom of it sooner or later, when he turns up. What about the real crisis, though? This toothpaste thing?’

Skinner looked at him, grim-faced. ‘I was up most of the bloody night, you know, Jimmy. I couldn’t sleep for thinking about what might be happening, or what might happen in the morning when the nation woke up and started brushing its teeth. But,’ he reached out and patted the top of the chief’s rosewood desk, ‘touch wood, there have been no reported incidents, and every minute that passes without one takes us nearer safety. The other piece of good news is that the manufacturer has been testing recalled stock all night at regional labs, and so far they haven’t come up with any more contaminated tubes.’

‘What about our own tests?’

‘Oh, they’re conclusive enough,’ the DCC muttered. ‘The toxicologist confirmed Sarah’s finding straight away, and as far as the toothpaste was concerned, testing showed that there was enough hydrogen cyanide in that tube to have killed the whole fucking band, never mind Monsieur Lebeau.’

‘How was it spiked? Do we know?’

‘It was probably injected with a hypodermic. That brand has a foil security tag under the cap that you have to remove before use. Put a fine needle through it and the victim would never notice. . anything, ever again.’

The old chief constable blew out a breath. ‘As you know, Bob, I’ve always been against capital punishment. But someone who could do that sort of thing indiscriminately. . I tell you, it’s a test of my principles.’

‘Mine too, Jimmy, but let’s hold on to them. Neither of us ever wants to see the black cap put on in our courts again.’ He turned to leave. ‘I’d better go and call Pringle, to see if he and the boys have made a start to interviewing those Belgians.’

He left by the side door and walked across the corridor to his own room, where he settled into his swivel chair and picked up the phone. However, instead of calling Pringle, he flicked through his index and punched in another number. As always, Lena McElhone answered on the third ring. ‘Aileen de Marco’s office,’ she announced.

‘Bob Skinner’s office,’ the DCC replied. ‘Is the minister free?’

‘She shouldn’t be, but she is. Just a minute.’

In fact, he had to wait for only a few seconds before she put him through.

‘Good morning, Bob,’ said the new Justice Minister; there was a hint of annoyance in her voice.

‘Lena dropped a subtle hint that I should apologise for standing you up,’ he began, ‘so I will. I’m sorry. My guy turned up to collect the American at his hotel as arranged, but there was no sign of him. I don’t know where the hell he is. When he turns up he’s going to wish he was back in Manhattan, I promise you. As a matter of fact, he’s going to be on the first bloody plane back there. I really hope it hasn’t inconvenienced you, Aileen.’

‘It has, but I can hardly blame you for your guest’s rudeness.’

‘Thanks for taking it that way. Did you cancel other arrangements for him?’

‘I’m supposed to have a formal meeting with the Lord President of the Court of Session. He wanted to do it at nine thirty, but I put him off because I was seeing your man.’

‘He won’t mind. Lord Murray isn’t one of the more precious judges.’

‘That’s good, because it’s important that he and I get on.’ She paused. ‘By the way, the department has arranged a visit to Shotts Prison for me a week on Friday. While I’m there I plan to have a chat with your friend Mr Plenderleith. I’m also having lunch with Mitchell Laidlaw today, at his office.’

Skinner grinned. ‘You don’t waste much time, do you?’

‘No, I do not; which brings me to our meeting. How about dinner, tomorrow?’

‘Fine by me. Where do you want to go?’

‘Somewhere very discreet.’

‘This is Edinburgh; discretion and this city are strangers to each other.’

‘How about the Scottish Arts Club?’

‘The place in Rutland Square? Are you a member?’

‘No, I’m a part-time nude model. There’s a studio on the top floor.’ There was a silence, which she broke by laughing. ‘Gotcha! Ministerial joke; of course I’m a member. I can arrange for dinner there; I’ve already checked. There are no other parties booked for tomorrow evening.’

‘Sounds fine. What time?’

‘Seven thirty. Could you pick me up from the office?’

‘Sure; see you around quarter past.’

‘Good. I’ll have Lena confirm the booking. But Bob,’ she added, with a light chuckle, ‘you won’t stand me up too, will you?’

‘There are bits of Glasgow that look just like this,’ said Detective Superintendent Chambers as she surveyed the big stone villas and semis, ‘but they’re damn hard to find.’

‘Where do you live, Mary?’ Steele asked.

‘Ratcliffe Terrace; not far from you, actually.’

‘You know where my place is?’

‘Maggie mentioned it when she was briefing me. Funny thing; I drove past Gordon Terrace last night on my way back from the M and S food store at Fort Kinnaird and I could have sworn I saw her turning in there in her car.’

Steele took a deep breath. ‘Listen. .’ he began.

She laughed. ‘I wasn’t spying on you, Stevie, honest. That’s exactly how it happened, and if I can’t add two and two, I apologise. But if you’re sleeping with the chief super, it’s as well I know. You needn’t worry; nobody else will hear a word about it from me.’

‘We’re friends, Mary,’ he offered, knowing as he spoke how lame he sounded.

‘Sure you are. Listen, I don’t mind. . Christ, I’m the last person to concern myself about other people’s relationships. But if you want some advice, and I mean the pair of you, don’t be shy about it. It’s not as if you’re working together any more. You report to me and Pringle. She reports to Haggerty. Don’t try to keep it quiet; I did that once myself, when Serena and I got together, and it was a big mistake.’

‘I’ll bear that in mind. I’ll talk to Mags about it tonight.’

‘Fine. It’s off my agenda as of now.’ She looked along the street. ‘Which of these houses is theirs?’

‘That one,’ said Steele, drawing to a halt outside the Whetstone semi. He glanced at the car clock; it showed ten thirty-three, but he always kept it a couple of minutes fast.

As they stepped into the front garden, Virginia Whetstone was in the bay window; looking out for them, Steele guessed. She opened the front door as they approached it; she was dressed casually, her hair was swept back and she wore no makeup. She looked several years older than the woman the DI had first met only a few days before. ‘Mr Steele,’ she exclaimed. ‘It’s good of you to come.’