Your friend, Lawson.

Jack patted Rebus’s back. ‘He’s just cleared you, John. Wave this in Ancram’s face and that’s the end of that.’

Rebus nodded, wishing he could feel relief, or any other sensible emotion.

‘What’s wrong?’ Jack asked.

Rebus tapped the paper. ‘This is,’ he said. ‘I mean, most of it is probably right, but it’s still a lie.’

‘What?’

Rebus looked at him. ‘The stuff we found in the lock-up … I saw it in Elsie Rhind’s house the first time we went round there. Lawson must have lifted it later.’

Jack looked uncomprehending. ‘Are you sure?’

Rebus flew to his feet. ‘No, I’m not sure, and that’s the real bastard of it! I’ll never be sure.’

‘I mean, it was twenty years ago, your mind plays tricks.’

‘I know. Even at the time, I wasn’t a hundred per cent sure I’d seen them before – maybe I saw a different bag, different hat. I went round to her place, took another look. This was when we had Spaven in custody. I looked for the hat and the bag I’d seen there … and they were gone. Ah, shit, maybe I didn’t see them at all, only thought I did. It doesn’t change the fact that I think I saw them. I think Lenny Spaven was set up, and I’ve always thought it … and I’ve never done a thing about it.’ He sat down again. ‘Never even told anyone till now.’ He tried to pick up his mug but his hand was shaking. ‘DTs,’ he said, forcing a smile.

Jack was thoughtful. ‘Does it matter?’ he said at last.

‘You mean whether I’m right or not? Jesus, Jack, I don’t know.’ Rebus rubbed his eyes. ‘It was all so long ago. Does it matter if the killer got away? Even if I’d come forward at the time, it would have maybe cleared Spaven but it wouldn’t have got us the real killer, would it?’ He let out a breath. ‘I’ve been spinning it in my head all these years, the grooves are worn almost to nothing.’

‘Time to buy a new record?’

Rebus smiled for real this time. ‘Maybe you’re right.’

‘One thing I don’t understand … why didn’t Spaven himself explain any of this? I mean, he never touches on it in his book. He could have just said why Geddes had it in for him.’

Rebus shrugged. ‘Look at Weir and his daughter.’

‘You mean it was personal?’

‘I don’t know, Jack.’

Jack picked up the letter, turning its pages. ‘Interesting about the Borneo pics though. Ancram thought they were relevant because they showed Spaven. Now we find it was this guy Sloane that Geddes was after.’ Jack checked his watch. ‘We should nip over to Fettes, show this to Ancram.’

Rebus nodded. ‘Let’s do it. But first, I want a photocopy of Lawson’s letter. Like you say, Jack, I might not believe it, but it’s here in black and white.’ He looked up at his friend. ‘Which should be good enough for The Justice Programme.’