Oram recognised Crosbie’s voice. ‘I’ve been stuck in a cop shop,’ he spat. ‘That favour I did for your pal has come back to bite me on the arse.’

‘How come?’

‘They tagged the car on CCTV. Can’t prove anything, but that won’t stop them digging.’

‘Why didn’t you nick a motor?’

‘Maybe if I’d had time, but your pal said it had to be done pronto.’

‘You’re a fuck-up, Crosbie, you do know that, don’t you?’

‘Maybe I am and maybe I’m not.’

‘We’re finished, you and me. I’m done with you.’

‘Are you sure about that, Gaby? Because if I’m going down, I might want some company.’

Gaby was staring at Oram. He watched her features soften in front of his eyes, mouth almost forming a smile.

‘You’re right, C. I’m sorry – got carried away in the moment. We’ll be behind you a hundred per cent. Beth knows all the good lawyers; I guarantee you’ll get the best of them if it comes to it, which it won’t. Like you say, all they have is your car on a night-time street.’

‘When they ask, I was dropping you home, by the way. You won’t mind fibbing for a pal, will you?’

‘Of course not.’ Her lightness of tone belied the look on her face. ‘Now, are you able to come and pick me up, or should I call another cab?’

‘Where are you?’

‘Abbeyhill.’

‘Twenty minutes. You working tonight?’

‘As usual.’

‘And me?’

‘Wouldn’t be the same without you, C. See you soon.’ She ended the call and settled on the nearest chair. ‘Ever fancied a job as a driver, Tommy?’

‘Didn’t sound to me like there was going to be a vacancy.’

The smile she gave him was colder than any of the radiators. ‘I take it they got what they wanted from the lock-up?’

‘Sounds like. And I think I know the bastard responsible – name of John Rebus.’

‘What will he do with the stuff?’

‘Hand it to the cops?’

She shook her head. ‘Then why didn’t he just summon them to the lock-up?’

Tommy ran a hand through his hair.

‘Relax,’ she told him.

‘How the hell do I do that?’

She dug a small bag of pills from her pocket. ‘These will turn that frown upside down.’

He hesitated for only a moment before taking the bag from her.

They announced themselves at the intercom and watched the gates swing silently open. Cheryl Haggard opened the door to them. She looked as pale and tired as ever, but there was a spark of renewed light in her eyes.

‘Have you caught someone?’ But then she saw the expressions on their faces and her eyes became opaque again.

‘Just need to clarify a couple of points,’ Clarke said.

‘Okay, let’s go upstairs.’

‘Actually, it’s Stephanie we need – is she here?’