‘Was there ever any doubt?’

‘You’re a copper, Rebus, you know there are procedures.’

‘Of course, sir. I appreciate you phoning.’

‘Something else. I had a word with Mr Fletcher.’ Hayden Fletcher: PR at T-Bird. ‘He admitted knowing the latest victim. Gave us a detailed breakdown of his movements the night she was killed. He even offered blood for DNA analysis if we thought it would help.’

‘He sounds cocky.’

‘That just about sums him up. I took an instant dislike to the man, something I don’t often do.’

‘Not even with me?’ Rebus smiled at Jack. Jack mouthed the words ‘Go easy’.

‘Not even with you,’ Grogan said.

‘So that’s two suspects eliminated. Doesn’t get you much further, does it?’

‘No.’ Grogan sighed. Rebus could imagine him wiping tired eyes.

‘What about Eve and Stanley, sir? Did you heed my advice?’

‘I did. Mindful of your mistrust of DS Lumsden – an excellent officer, by the way – 1 set two men on it off my own bat, reporting directly to me.’

‘Thank you, sir.’

Grogan coughed. ‘They were staying in a hotel near the airport. Five-star, usually an oil company hang-out. Driving a BMW.’ The one from Uncle Joe’s cul-de-sac no doubt. ‘I’ve a description of the car and licence details.’

‘Not needed, sir.’

‘Well, my men followed them to a couple of nightclubs.’

‘During business hours?’

‘Daylight hours, Inspector. They went in carrying nothing, and came out the same way. However, they also paid visits to several banks in the city centre. One of my men got close enough in one bank to see that they were making a cash deposit.’

‘In a bank?’ Rebus frowned. Was Uncle Joe the type to trust to banks? Would he let strangers get within a mile of his ill-gained assets?

‘That’s about it, Inspector. They ate a few meals together, went for a drive down to the docks, then left town.’

‘They’ve gone?’

‘Left tonight. My men followed them as far as Banchory. I’d say they were headed for Perth.’ And after that, Glasgow. ‘The hotel confirms they’ve checked out.’

‘Did you ask the hotel if they’re regulars?’

‘We did and they are. They started using it about six months ago.’

‘How many rooms?’

‘They always book two.’ There was a smile in Grogan’s voice. ‘But the story is, the maids only ever had to clean one of them. Seems they were sharing one room, and leaving the other untouched.’

Bingo, Rebus thought. Housey-housey and fucking click-ety-click.

‘Thanks, sir.’

‘Does this help you in something?’

‘It might help a lot, I’ll be in touch. Oh, something I meant to ask …’

‘Yes?’

‘Hayden Fletcher: did he say how he came to know the victim?’

‘A business acquaintance. She organised the stand for T-Bird Oil at the North Sea Convention.’

‘Is that what “corporate presentations” means?’

‘Apparently. Ms Holden designed a lot of the stands, then her company did the actual construction and setting-up. Fletcher met her as part of that process.’