Rebus shook his head. ‘It’ll come off. Nice colour, though.’

‘Posh paint for the premium lets.’

He put the rag back on the bench and took out a card with his number on it. ‘When you next talk to your dad, tell him to give me a bell.’ He placed the card on top of the used rag. ‘By the way, how long ago did you last see him?’

‘Three weeks, more or less.’

‘I know he was trying to get off the booze, but did you ever take him to the Moorfoot?’ He watched Oram shake his head. ‘Not even for sentimental reasons?’

‘He hated the fact it wasn’t his pool hall any more.’

‘You like the place, though?’

Oram offered a shrug. ‘It’s round the corner from the house.’ He looked around him. ‘I’ve got work I need to be getting on with.’

‘Aye, me too.’

‘What will you tell Cafferty?’

‘As little or as much as I think he needs to know. And Tommy, if I thought Cafferty meant your dad any harm, I wouldn’t be doing this. Tell Jack he’s safe – I’ll be there to make sure.’

Oram picked up the card and slid it into his pocket. ‘I’ll tell him,’ he said. Rebus wanted to believe him, but he wasn’t sure that he did.

Back in his car, he wondered about the young man and what he’d already had to deal with in his young life. Maybe his future would be brighter. The two kids were pedalling hard across the rutted playing field towards their own futures, their dog trotting behind them. Rebus sounded his horn in farewell as he passed them.

Jack Oram hadn’t been close to his brother and didn’t attend his funeral. Unlikely he’d have sent money to the widow, using it instead to tide him over during his time on the run.

‘Hell’s going on here?’ Rebus muttered to himself as he drove.

11

Cafferty’s assistant was waiting at the door.

‘Andrew, right?’ Rebus said.

‘No dogs,’ Andrew said, eyes on Brillo.

‘He’s house-trained, unlike your boss.’

‘They spread germs.’

‘Okay, in that regard maybe he is like your boss, but if I leave him out here, he’ll howl the place down.’

Andrew stared at him, then disappeared back inside, the door clicking after him. Rebus checked, but it was locked.

‘Clever boy,’ he muttered. Brillo looked at him expectantly. ‘Yes, you too.’

A minute later, the door reopened, Andrew standing back to let dog and owner in. ‘Still need to frisk you,’ he announced.

‘Just me, or the dog too?’

‘Just you.’

Rebus stretched his arms out to either side. ‘I used to be in the army, you know. They showed us how to kill someone with a rolled-up magazine to the throat. Maybe you should sweep the premises for potential weapons.’