‘We’ll have a clinical psychologist examine him,’ Clarke assured her. ‘But just to be clear, Cheryl’s not mentioned PTSD to you at any point?’ Hendry shook her head. ‘Would it be okay if I asked her? Is she up to that?’

‘She’s a bit bruised – mentally, I mean – but her sister is being a complete bloody rock under the circs.’

‘What circs?’ Clarke nodded her thanks to the waiter as her drink arrived.

‘Her name’s Stephanie Pelham, Pelham being her married name. Ring any bells?’ Hendry watched Clarke shake her head. ‘James Pelham is a developer. Buys up derelict land and turns it into expensive flats and houses. He’s also an angel.’ She saw Clarke’s look. ‘Meaning he puts money into start-ups, hoping to make a killing down the line. Worth a mint, a good chunk of which Stephanie is intent on taking from him.’

‘They’re getting divorced?’

‘After she found out he was playing away from home. So she’s got that going on and now she’s looking after her sister, too. There’s only a couple of years between them and I get the feeling they’ve always been close.’

‘And Stephanie lives nearby?’

‘Hence the choice of watering hole.’

‘You say Cheryl’s bruised, but she’s doing okay?’

‘She’s not falling apart, if that’s what you mean.’

‘And she’s not going to change her mind about the court case? I know it happens.’

‘All the time,’ Hendry agreed. ‘But I don’t sense that happening here. Maybe if Stephanie weren’t backing her one hundred per cent.’ She met Clarke’s eyes. ‘The PTSD thing won’t fly, will it?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘And it’s all down to his years at Tynecastle cop shop?’

‘We interviewed him this morning, Gina. The way he spoke …’ Clarke broke off.

‘Christ, you think he’s got a chance?’

‘Look, we both know the culture. It’s maybe not as widespread these days as it once was, but it’s still there and plenty of our fellow officers insist on keeping their traps shut about it.’ She gave a sigh. ‘Christine Esson thinks maybe the job did play a role in altering his behaviour.’

‘I don’t buy that,’ Hendry said. ‘He’s into coercive control and always has been. If he was an airline pilot or a minister of the Church, he’d be exactly the same.’

‘But then there are the suits at the top,’ Clarke added. ‘They’ve hinted they want this particular case to just melt away.’

‘They’d be better off taking a flamethrower to Tynecastle. Job done.’

‘Something he said hit home, though – if he uses his defence, he’s consigning himself to the wilderness. Seems like the nuclear option, no? Why take it that far unless you really feel the button needs to be pressed?’