‘Which amounts to more or less the same thing, while saving me a packet.’ Cafferty’s smile was as frosty as the top of the Pentlands.

‘Fox isn’t exactly on my pall-bearers list,’ Rebus said, ‘and there’s nothing he likes better than getting to grips with bent cops. No shortage of those at Tynie, some of them with ties to you – everything from nicked cars to Tony Barlow.’

Cafferty was on the move again, back to his trolley and his newspaper. ‘This is all because of that cop knocking his wife about?’

‘You’ve heard.’

‘Not much in the paper, but Andrew gets his news online. All the juicier when the victim’s brother-in-law is a weel-kent face, and James Pelham is definitely that.’ Cafferty paused, lost in thought for a moment. ‘The cop plans to cut a deal, is that it? And he’s got you rattled, which means Alan Fleck is probably rattled, too.’

‘I hope I’m not putting thoughts in your head.’

‘Thoughts are about all I’ve got left.’ His eyes met Rebus’s. ‘Another day or two, a bit more digging, that’s all I’m asking. Otherwise, I’d say a partial refund is due. What’s your outlay been so far – a couple of beers and a quarter-tank of petrol? Allies and old haunts, John – just to humour me.’ He peered into his mug. ‘Andrew!’ he bellowed. ‘I need a top-up!’

‘Floor could do with a wipe, too,’ Rebus commented. ‘Brillo’s not the most refined drinker.’

‘Tony Barlow,’ Cafferty mused. ‘There’s a name I’ve not heard in a while.’

‘Maybe we should add him to your apology list?’

‘Don’t tell me it still rankles?’

‘Francis Haggard was working at Tynecastle back then, Cafferty. Probably not much wrong with his memory.’

‘Stress can take years off your life, you know. You need to learn how to switch off.’ Cafferty noticed Andrew hovering in the doorway. ‘Mr Rebus and his mutt are just leaving. I’ll have my tea after.’

Once he’d seen Rebus out, Andrew brought the fresh mug to Cafferty, who was at the window, eye pressed to the telescope.

‘Not that you’re obsessed with the guy or anything,’ Andrew said. Cafferty turned, noting that Andrew had put a jacket on.

‘Off out?’

‘You know me. But I’ve got my phone and you’ve got your panic button.’

‘I never panic.’

‘Okay, your alarm, then.’

‘Nightclub, is it?’

‘Bit early. Might go for a drive first, check out the town.’

‘Send me photos if anything stands out.’

‘I always do, don’t I?’

Cafferty peered through the telescope. ‘There he goes,’ he said. ‘Not yet quite KO’d, but well on his way.’

‘It’s all working out, then?’