‘I’m known for my sharp elbows.’

‘I’m glad to hear it.’ Clarke ended the call just as she reached Leith. She parked by the links and headed into the police station. Christine Esson was already at her desk.

‘Laura Smith?’ she prompted Clarke.

‘You’ve heard, then.’

‘Ronnie told me. How’s she doing?’

‘She’s already working on how to turn a profit from it.’ Clarke sat down and made eye contact with Esson. ‘You’ve probably already worked out she’s behind the Courant, but what you don’t know is that James Pelham has been seen loitering outside her home.’

‘Because of the divorce photo?’

‘I assume so. What about those casinos – any luck?’

‘One says definitely no sign of Haggard on their security footage, and no staff remember seeing him. Four more are getting back to me later.’

‘Maybe give them another nudge?’

‘Liam and Noel are going to be phoning round the cab companies when they get here, see if any drivers remember picking him up from the tiki bar.’

They could hear voices climbing the stairs. A moment later, Trask and Fox walked in, both toting leather briefcases. Clarke noticed Fox studying his boss’s choice, which was a different design to his hard-shell. She would put money on him having ordered a similar model by day’s end. Trask stopped to ask for an update, which Esson provided. Satisfied, the DCI headed into her own office, leaving the door ajar. Fox placed his briefcase on his chair and approached Clarke’s desk.

‘Quiet night?’ he asked.

‘Lovely and quiet, up until someone chucked a petrol bomb into Laura Smith’s living room.’

His eyes widened slightly. ‘I hadn’t heard. Did we catch anyone for it?’

‘Not yet,’ Clarke said.

‘The price petrol is these days,’ Esson added, ‘we’re looking for someone with deep pockets.’

‘She’s by no means the first, is she?’ Fox said. ‘A dealer got hit at a caravan park yesterday.’

‘I hadn’t heard about that.’

‘You have now.’ He retreated to his own desk and started up his computer while Esson went to the kettle and switched it on.

‘Looks like you could use one,’ she told Clarke.

‘I hardly got a wink,’ Clarke admitted.

‘You honestly wouldn’t know it.’ Esson watched as Gamble and Leighton walked in, followed by King and Ritchie. Ritchie came up to her and offered to rinse the mugs.

‘Already done,’ she told him. ‘But there’s a juicy little quest waiting next to your computer. I’ll fill you in in a minute.’

‘Can’t wait.’ He was almost bouncing on his heels as he started towards his desk. King was already there and had read the note.

‘This’ll take all day,’ he complained, looking over towards Esson.

‘All the sweeter when you get a result,’ she answered.

Fox, having seen something on his phone, was on his feet again and crossing the floor towards Clarke.