‘And that’s all you do for the Mackenzies? Maintenance, I mean? It’s just that you’re young and you look pretty fit. You’re never asked to collect rent, maybe talk to anyone who’s fallen behind?’

Oram gave a snort. ‘They don’t need me for that. Plenty out there more qualified.’

‘Qualified how?’ Esson asked, sounding genuinely curious.

‘Just people who don’t take any nonsense.’

‘Like nightclub bouncers?’ Clarke guessed.

Oram shrugged. ‘Wasn’t much else for them during lockdown, was there?’

‘That’s a good point,’ Clarke told him. Ever since her breakfast with Rebus, she’d been thinking of the doormen last night and how they’d cosied up to Gaby Mackenzie. ‘Do you see much of Gaby these days?’ she asked, trying to make the question sound casual.

‘Now and again.’

‘Known her a while, though? She got you the job, didn’t she?’

‘It’s what pals do.’

‘Still, her dad must have interviewed you? I mean, it’s a pretty trusted position when you think of it.’

‘We met in his office.’

‘And he’d have known you’re Jack Oram’s son?’

Clarke could sense Christine Esson tensing a little, not knowing what she was on about. Across the table, Tommy Oram hadn’t so much tensed as gone completely rigid. The knuckles around the coffee mug had turned white.

‘Jack Oram who used to be close to Big Ger Cafferty,’ Clarke went on, ‘the man who sold his lettings company to Fraser Mackenzie.’ It was statement rather than question, and intended for Esson as much as Oram.

‘What of it?’

‘I just think it’s—’

‘It’s a coincidence, that’s all,’ Oram snapped. ‘I knew Gaby and Gaby put in a word – she’d no idea who I was related to.’ His eyes went from Clarke to Esson and back again. ‘Coincidence,’ he said, spreading out the syllables.

‘You’ll appreciate that detectives aren’t too fond of those,’ Clarke said, smiling with her mouth but not her eyes.

‘I can’t help that.’

‘There was an accusation against you a while back …’

‘Pack of lies. Your lot cleared me.’

Clarke nodded her apparent agreement. ‘Any idea why Francis Haggard merited one of your premium properties?’

‘I assume he could afford it.’

‘See, that’s the thing. We’ve got hold of his bank debits, and it looks like he was being charged way under the market rate.’

‘You’d have to take that up with Mr Mackenzie.’

‘We intend to. One last thing then, Tommy …’

‘Yes?’

‘Has Gaby ever taken you back to one of the vacant flats? Seems to be a regular thing with her.’

‘I told you, we’re friends – just friends.’

His voice was level enough, but Clarke could tell that behind his eyes he was seething.

‘Ever go to the Elemental Club on Blair Street?’

‘Sometimes, sure.’

‘Is that how the two of you met?’

‘Yes.’

‘Where were you working back then?’