‘Including Eskflo?’

‘Indeed.’ Bible John paused. ‘You’ll appreciate that I’m telling you this in the strictest confidence?’

‘Oh, of course.’

‘Now, the companies I’m concerned with are …’ He made show of shuffling some papers, eyes on the notepad. ‘Here we are: Eskflo, LancerTech, Gribbin’s, and Yetland.’

‘Yetland,’ said Westerman, ‘we did some work for them recently. No, wait … We pitched for a contract, didn’t get it.’

‘And the others?’

‘Look, can I get back to you? I’m going to have to go to the files. I seem to be having trouble concentrating.’

‘I understand, sir. I’m due out on a call … how about if I phone again in an hour?’

‘Perhaps if I call you when I’m ready?’

‘I’ll phone again in an hour, Mr Westerman. I do appreciate this.’

He put the phone down, bit a fingernail. Would Westerman try phoning Queen Street CID, asking for a DS Collier? He’d give him forty minutes.

But in the end, he gave him thirty-five.

‘Mr Westerman? That call didn’t take as long as I thought. I wonder if you’ve come up with anything for me?’

‘Yes, I think I’ve got what you need.’

Bible John concentrated on the tone of voice, listening for any doubt or suspicion, any inkling Westerman might have that he was not talking to a policeman. He found none.

‘As I said,’ Westerman continued, ‘we pitched for a Yetland contract but didn’t get it. That was in March this year. Lancer … we did a panel display for them in February. They had a stand at the Safety at Sea conference.’

Bible John consulted his list. ‘Do you happen to know who your contact was?’

‘I’m sorry, Vanessa handled it. She was very good with clients.’

‘The name Martin Davidson doesn’t ring any bells?’

‘I’m afraid not.’

‘Not to worry, sir. And the other two companies …?’

‘Well, we’ve worked for Eskflo in the past, but not for a couple of years. And Gribbin’s … well, to be honest, I’ve never heard of them.’

Bible John ringed Martin Davidson’s name. Put a question mark beside James Mackinley: a lag-time of a couple of years? Doubtful, but possible. Decided that Yetland was a distant third, but just to be sure …

‘Would Yetland have dealt with yourself or Ms Holden?’

‘Vanessa was on holiday around then. It was just after Safety at Sea, she was exhausted.’

Bible John scored both Yetland and Gribbin’s off his list.

‘Mr Westerman, you’ve been a big help. I appreciate it.’

‘Glad to help. Just one thing, Detective Sergeant?’

‘Yes, sir?’

‘If you ever find the bastard who killed Vanessa, give him one from me.’

Two M. Davidsons in the phone book, one James Mackinley and two J. Mackinleys. Addresses noted.

Then another phone call, this time to Lancer Technical Support.

‘Hello, it’s the Chamber of Commerce here, just a general question. We’re compiling a database on local companies connected to the oil business. That would include LancerTech, wouldn’t it?’