‘I can’t say, but it’s interesting that a police officer just happened to go to QC Lettings, isn’t it?’

‘And was immediately given one of Mackenzie’s better properties,’ Fox added, gaining a look of approval from Dickinson.

‘Is that so?’ he said.

‘Definitely worth checking if Haggard was paying the market rate.’

‘Let’s not bungee-jump to conclusions,’ Trask broke in. ‘As of now, we don’t know that this will have any bearing at all on our case.’

‘It should also be noted that I’m telling you this in strictest confidence,’ Dickinson added. ‘Fewer people who know we’ve got eyes on Mackenzie the better.’

‘But you’ve nothing so far linking him to any officers at Tynecastle police station?’ Clarke asked. ‘Haggard’s name in particular hasn’t come up?’

Dickinson considered the question for a moment before shaking his head. ‘There is something else, though. One of Mackenzie’s oldest friends is a man called James Pelham.’

‘I’ve met him,’ Clarke stated. ‘He was Francis Haggard’s brother-in-law until the separation.’

‘Well, he’s being investigated for furlough fraud,’ Dickinson said. ‘Says it’s an accounting error, but I dare say HMRC will have a view on that in the fullness of time. None of which has stopped Mackenzie investing in a few of Pelham’s recent projects.’

‘You reckon he’s using Pelham to launder money?’

‘I’d say it’s a racing certainty.’ He brushed at his trousers again.

‘Well, we appreciate you making the trip from Gartcosh,’ Trask said, readying to bring the meeting to a close. ‘And I’m sure Malcolm will keep you apprised of developments.’ She almost managed to make it sound like a rebuke, not that Fox was really listening, being too busy assuring Dickinson with a nod that he would be only too happy to help. Clarke meantime was wondering if it meant anything that her question about Tynecastle and Haggard had led to a silent head-shake from Dickinson rather than a spoken denial.

As they left IV2, Clarke noticed that a couple of chairs had been produced from somewhere in the building. Seated on them, just outside IV1, were Stephanie Pelham and Gina Hendry. She told Trask and Fox that she’d catch them up, then watched as Fox began escorting Dickinson down the stairs, reluctant to let go of him just yet.

‘Cheryl’s giving her statement,’ Hendry explained, nodding towards the interview room door. Stephanie Pelham looked pale and tired.

‘You doing okay?’ Clarke asked her.

‘It’s just such a bloody shock.’

‘And Cheryl?’

Pelham puffed out her cheeks and expelled a blast of air.

‘Cheryl’s doing her best,’ Hendry answered. ‘But it’s going to take time.’