‘You have sources? Good for you.’

‘Fleck says John Rebus played a role. My thinking is, that’s by way of a diversion.’

‘Could be, but it’s a good sign if they’re turning against each other.’

Fox thought for a moment. He was perched on the lip of the armchair, as if ready to act. ‘Mackenzie sells drugs to his tenants, but he sells them elsewhere, too. Tynecastle seem to take their share, and they’re pretty pally with the security staff at the club where Gaby Mackenzie DJs.’

‘What are you saying?’

‘I’m saying the daughter might know more than we think.’

‘Oh, I don’t doubt it.’ Dickinson took out his phone again, found what he was looking for, and turned the screen towards Fox, who had to stand and cross to the sofa to get a better look. ‘We think this is Guy Strathairn’s assailant.’

‘I know him,’ Fox said, catching Dickinson by surprise. ‘I was at the nightclub where he works, saw him in action.’

‘Unless he was pummelling someone, I don’t think you can ­really say you saw him in action. His name’s Crosbie. You definitely do not want to get on the wrong side of him.’

‘Are you going to arrest him?’

‘Case isn’t solid enough yet.’

‘So he’s muscle for Fraser Mackenzie?’

‘Certainly seems that way.’

‘Recruited by the daughter?’

‘It would make sense.’ Dickinson put his phone away again, and Fox retreated to his armchair. ‘One other thing I picked up at Gartcosh about the furlough fraud,’ Dickinson continued. ‘James Pelham used Francis Haggard’s name on his list of bogus employees. Makes it a lot less likely it was somebody else’s mistake. His wife’s name was there too.’

‘Haggard’s wife?’

‘Pelham’s. He left Haggard’s wife out of it – maybe he liked her better than her husband, or his own ex-wife, come to that. He probably enjoyed typing their names in.’

‘Could Haggard have found out?’

Dickinson offered a shrug. ‘I’m not sure it’s any sort of motive for murder, but it’s given HMRC fresh hope of nailing Pelham. If I were him, I’d be unravelling as fast as most of his businesses.’ He glanced at his wristwatch. ‘I’d best be off – any chance I can use your loo first? It’s the one thing my office lacks, and it’s a long drive back west.’