Иэн Рэнкин - In a House of Lies

‘We’re not making the handcuffs public yet?’

‘Why do you ask?’

‘When it gets out — and it will get out — the family will start yelling police cover-up again.’

‘In which case, we’d best try to find evidence one way or the other.’ Sutherland scanned the room to ensure his words had sunk in. ‘Now get busy.’

Clarke had noticed Fox standing behind her. She paused the film and turned to him.

‘One of Jackie Ness’s?’ Fox guessed.

‘Apparently Bloom and his boyfriend had walk-ons.’

Fox nodded towards the screen. ‘Looks familiar.’

‘It’s Poretoun Woods. And filmed not long before Stuart’s death.’

‘Interesting. Good film?’

‘As wooden as its setting.’

‘Plot?’

‘Scots and English readying to do battle, but up pop the undead. The enemies either join forces or get wiped out.’

‘I quite like the sound of that.’

‘It probably looked good on paper,’ Clarke agreed. She noticed that both Crowther and Leighton were taking an interest in the conversation, so sent a quick scowl towards them. ‘Any great revelations from the woods? You and Tess getting along okay?’

Fox gave her a quizzical look before replying. ‘Professor Hamilton thinks car and body might have been elsewhere for the first few years. If we can pin down where and why.’

‘Why it was moved, you mean?’ Clarke nodded her agreement. ‘But meantime, the focus is on a retread of the original inquiry.’

‘Meaning officers as well as witnesses.’

‘So we’ll be questioning John?’

‘Needs to be thorough, Siobhan.’

She nodded again. One of the admin staff was standing in the doorway.

‘DI Fox?’ she enquired. Fox turned to her.

‘That’s me.’

‘You’ve a visitor downstairs.’

Fox thanked her and headed for the reception area. He didn’t see anyone, but the desk officer pointed towards the door. ‘They’re out there,’ he said. Fox stepped outside and looked to left and right. The TV cameras and reporters had gone. Standing at the corner, smoking a cigarette, was a figure he recognised. He drew in a sharp breath before heading towards the man.

‘Hiya, Malc,’ DS Brian Steele said. ‘How’s tricks?’

‘We’ve not been properly introduced,’ Fox responded.

‘Maybe not, but you’ve seen me around Gartcosh and I’ve seen you. Major Crimes’ gain is ACU’s loss, if you ask me. Man of your experience, we could have made better use of you.’ Steele was blowing smoke from his nose while studying the tip of the cigarette.

‘What brings you here?’ Fox demanded to know.

‘Ach, I was just in the neighbourhood. I heard you’d been attached to the Bloom case, so I thought I’d say hello.’

‘Without actually coming in?’

‘That’ll be happening soon, though, eh? A wee invitation to tell my side of the story. Me and Grant and everybody else who worked the case.’

‘We can start right now if you like. Team’s upstairs, and I’m sure I could lay my hands on some recording equipment.’

Steele exhaled more smoke, making sure it avoided Fox. The man was tall and broad with an unexceptional face and short black hair spiked with gel. ‘Plenty of time for that, Malc. It was you I wanted to see.’

‘Why?’

‘Because we’re on the same side. You were Complaints, I’m ACU. Neither of us likes dirty cops. I know you’ll have heard some of the stories about me — bending the rules, pulling a few stunts. I’ll bet similar things were said about you when you were Complaints. Nobody likes us, nobody trusts us, so they need their lies and rumours.’

‘I’m not much clearer on why you’re here.’

Steele took a step closer. ‘Reopening the old case is an opportunity for more lies, more mud-slinging. I’d just appreciate the odd update, confidentially. In return, I’ll owe you one. Ask around, I’m a good friend to have.’ He finished the cigarette and flicked it halfway across the road. ‘And if you do need sacrificial lambs, I can give you those too. Skelton, Newsome, Rebus — take your pick.’

‘None of them worked for Adrian Brand back then, though, did they?’

‘Plenty cops had side jobs, Malc. It still happens, you know that. But when it came to policing, I gave one hundred per cent, same then as now. Many didn’t do half as much.’

‘Rebus?’

‘More likely to be found in a pub than anywhere else. Half drunk or else hung-over. We covered for him, same as for Mary Skelton.’

‘What did she do?’

‘Her mum was sick; she kept nipping off to visit her. Except everybody knew it was a bloke she was seeing, afternoon delight and all that. I’ve never seen a woman more in heat.’

‘And Newsome?’

‘Doug Newsome was a waste of space. Half the interviews he said he’d done never happened, and the ones he did deign to do, he made stuff up when he transcribed them.’

Fox studied Steele. ‘You were in the ranks at the time. Unusual for a uniform to know so much about the CID side of things.’

‘I was conscientious. And I made friends. That’s how you get ahead, Malc. It got me here, didn’t it?’ He smiled. ‘So what do you say, a quick pint and a quiet chat now and again?’ Steele broke off. ‘What am I saying? You’re a recovering alcoholic — apple juice is your thing, isn’t it? When you’re being sociable, I mean. Mostly you just like quiet nights at home in Oxgangs, when you’re not keeping an eye on your sister, making sure her gambling habit’s under control.’ He was still smiling, but his eyes were as hard as marbles.

‘You’ve done your research,’ Fox conceded.

‘It’s how the world turns.’

‘So tell me, what did you think when you heard Stuart Bloom had been found?’

‘I thought it was an interesting location, especially if someone was trying to make sure we focused on Jackie Ness or Adrian Brand.’

‘Were you one of the original search team?’

‘In the woods?’ Steele nodded. ‘Only took us half a day, mind. The woods, the house and its grounds. More likely he’d met a bit of rough and been done in.’

‘Did you visit Rogues at all?’

‘Not then, no.’

‘But other times?’

‘We went in once or twice, acting on tip-offs. Drugs; underage kids.’

‘Find anything?’

‘Doesn’t mean nothing was happening.’

‘I’m guessing the tip-offs were anonymous?’

‘Not every concerned citizen wants to stick their head above the parapet.’ Steele was growing impatient. ‘Sounds like I’ve already done my interview, doesn’t it?’

‘I doubt we’ve even scratched the surface.’

‘My ears aren’t picking up the warm sounds of a burgeoning friendship.’

‘Nothing wrong with your hearing then.’

Steele looked down at the pavement between them. ‘You’ve been known to hang around with John Rebus, Malc — is he a friend? Because he’s probably got more to lose than most, you know.’

‘How do you mean?’

‘The boozing was the least of it. Bear that in mind when you bring him in for questioning. See, old cases can be like stripping wallpaper — you don’t know what problems you’re going to find beneath, kept hidden by the thinnest of coverings.’ Steele held up his thumb and forefinger, so that a millimetre gap remained between them. ‘I’m a hell of a friend to have, Malc, but I can be the exact opposite, too. Remember that.’ He turned to leave, but then paused. ‘Oh, and don’t think of going running to your boss at Major Crime — Jen Lyon’s got enough to deal with if the stories I hear are true.’

‘What stories?’

‘Bit of gardening leave coming her way. At this rate, you or me might be running the show before too long.’