‘This is a beauty. A decade old, but only six thousand miles on the clock. Being a Merc, it’s not even properly run in yet.’ He turned his head towards Rebus. ‘Can I tempt you?’

‘Who told you about Haggard?’

‘Well, number one, it’s all over the internet. And number two, the Crew keep me up to date. We even have regular meets. I thought you’d be on the invite list?’

Alan Fleck wasn’t yet sixty and looked even younger. Rebus wondered if he’d had some work done. Maybe a tuck or a weave. He’d always liked looking good; never one to walk past a mirror without checking. Designer clothes, too, and watches that were understated but top-of-the-range. Then there were the cars – two Audis (both limited editions) and an Aston Martin in the time Rebus had known him. It had surprised no one that in retirement he had started dealing in second-hand but upmarket vehicles.

‘If you do fancy joining us one day,’ Fleck went on, ‘I can promise you’d be treated royally.’

Rebus reached across and grabbed a handful of the man’s coat. ‘I’m sod all to do with any of it, Alan, got that?’

Fleck’s salesman veneer melted away. The ice Rebus remembered from incidents past was back in his eyes and his voice. ‘All those bottles of malt, John. The restaurant bills torn in half at the end of a blowout. Ringing any bells?’

‘I did you the occasional favour as a mate. End of.’

‘Well, obviously not end of or you wouldn’t be here.’ Fleck shrugged himself free of Rebus’s grip. ‘The Crew aren’t too happy about Francis, I can tell you. They’ve tried reaching out to him but been snubbed. Lot of discontent at Tynie.’

‘My heart bleeds.’

‘I assume he’s got as far as naming names, yours among them. Mine too, no doubt.’ Fleck exhaled noisily and at length. ‘So what do we do now, John?’

‘You tell me. There’s a warrant out for him so he’s gone silent and deep.’

‘Otherwise we could have one of our famous quiet words.’ Fleck leaned back in the leather-upholstered seat. ‘How are things otherwise? Managed to steer clear of the virus? Retirement suiting you?’

‘You need to take care of this, Alan,’ Rebus said quietly but determinedly.

‘Plenty other actors involved, John, some of them still on the force. I reckon you’ll be a footnote if you’re anything at all.’

Rebus was shaking his head. ‘The high-ups are taking an interest. They’ve brought a DI called Fox in from Gartcosh.’

‘I know Fox.’