‘We’ll do our best. Next time, let me know you’re staying over and we’ll get you a wee bed set up.’ She glanced down the corridor towards Sam’s room. Then lowered her voice. ‘So are you still getting that cat, because if you are, I have a source. . .? ’

‘She wants to call it Cthulhu.’

‘That’s . . . er . . . distinctive.’ Claire patted him on the arm. ‘Now, do you fancy a cuppa before you head off? ’

The briefing room was full of cardboard boxes, so they convened in the main CID office instead – the whole of dayshift squeezed in between the desks and partitions, staring at the projection screen behind Steel’s head. The necklacing victim, smoke and flames caught in freeze-frame, mouth open in that tortured silent scream.

She hauled up her trousers and scowled at everyone. ‘Do you really need me to tell you what’s going to happen if those Weegie bawbags get here and we haven’t solved this sodding necklacing thing? ’

A wee DC with trophy-handle ears and a squaddie haircut stuck his hand up. ‘Is this still a gangland hit? ’

‘Depends, doesn’t it? ’

‘Only, you know, it’s pretty much identical to what happens in this book, Witch—’

‘We know. Now—’

‘Well, what if it’s a publicity stunt? You know, the production company are trying to whip up a bit of interest in the media? Get some buzz out about the film. . .’

Silence.

Logan shifted in his seat. Here we go.

The tips of the constable’s ears went pink. ‘Well, it’s . . . possible, isn’t it? ’

Steel stared at the floor for a moment. ‘Are you seriously suggesting they chained some poor sod to a metal stake, jammed a tyre over his head, and set fire to it, so they could get a wee slot on Lorraine Bloody Kelly? ’

Constable Idiot put his hand down.

‘Right, if there’s no one else wants to make an arse of themselves, we’ve had three dead bodies in as many days. I’m no’ having another one, understand? This is it: no more!’

She dug into a plastic carrier bag and pulled out a bottle of Highland Park. Held it above her head. ‘And if anyone catches the bastard before Strathclyde gets here, this is yours.’

Chalmers shifted in her seat. ‘What about the victim from last night? Initial reports say they may have been staked out on the kitchen floor and tortured. Two torture victims in three days: could be related? ’