‘We still speak on the phone.’

‘I get the feeling that’s just so you can reassure yourself I’m not yet ready to end up in one of these.’ Rebus slapped the side of the nearest van.

‘I’d be grateful if you kept it that way. Bye, John.’ She leaned towards him, pecking his cheek.

‘Bye, Debs,’ he said, watching her reverse out of her space and drive off.

15

Driscoll and Agnew knew the officer manning the cordon. There were a couple of ghouls on the opposite pavement, and Driscoll gave each of them a hard stare, as though committing their faces to memory. Neither tried snapping a photo. If they had, he’d have pounced. The uniform on guard duty was getting his clipboard ready. There was a list of visitors there. Agnew placed a meaty paw on it.

‘We don’t need to bother with that,’ he said.

‘It’s procedure,’ the officer managed to blurt out.

‘Not necessary, okay?’

Driscoll wrenched the clipboard from the officer’s hand and studied the names. ‘Anyone in there just now?’ he enquired, receiving a shake of the head in answer. ‘How about the flat – is it locked tight?’

The officer dug keys from his pocket and handed them over.

‘Good lad,’ Driscoll said. ‘Where do you normally drink?’

‘The Starbank.’

‘Nice place. There’ll be a few in the tap for you next time you visit. Our treat.’ He turned away, but then stopped. ‘Starbank’s not far from where Francis lived – he ever come in?’

‘Not that I know of.’

‘Fine,’ Driscoll said, filing the information away. He walked to the tenement’s main door, unlocked it, and held it open for Agnew.

‘Remind me what we’re doing here,’ Agnew said in a lowered voice.

‘Don’t tell me you’re not interested?’

‘Just feels a bit creepy.’

‘Afraid he’s going to fly through the walls at you and say boo?’ Driscoll started climbing, Agnew a few steps behind. Their blood was pumping by the time they reached Haggard’s landing. Driscoll unlocked the door to the flat and stepped inside. ‘In you come then,’ he said.

‘Is this by way of a punishment, Rob? For Newhaven, I mean?’

‘There’s nothing to be scared of, Chris.’ Driscoll walked into the living room and stared at the floor. ‘We’re just paying our respects to one of our own.’