He pointed at the centre of the pentagram, where four words sat inside the innermost band. ‘Septen, merid, orien, occid – north, south, east, and west. They orient the circle. The next layer: those things that look like musical notes? They’re the letter Tau, last character in the Hebrew alphabet, they stand for the perfection of God’s creation.’ He shifted over a couple of paces. ‘Next band out is, Eloah, Tetragrammaton, Eheieh, and Elion – Tetragrammaton represents the true name of God, the rest are emanations. And all around the outside is: Miserere mei Deus secundum magnam. Basically, “Have mercy upon me, oh God, according to your loving kindness.”’

Logan opened DI Leith’s folder and pulled out the crime-scene photographs. Selected one that showed the whole room, then held it out. ‘Victim was staked out in the middle.’

Alex held a hand against the base of his throat, as if he was trying to swallow something stuck there. ‘OK, that’s just wrong.’ He made a gulping sound. Then a groan. Then lurched to his feet and stumbled for the door, making the walkway clang. Thump, out into the back garden, ripping his facemask off.

The door swung shut again, silencing the sound of violent retching.

Chapter 25

25

Samantha made chewing noises down the phone at him, as if she was eating something. ‘Well, you can’t just do nothing and hope it’ll go away, can you? ’

Logan wandered up the street in the hazy sunshine, plastic bag from the wee shop swinging at his side. ‘Well, what am I supposed to do? I can’t accept a cheque for—’

‘You’re not accepting it, are you? All you’re doing is nominating a charity.’

‘But that makes me—’

‘No it doesn’t. Thirty grand could make a massive difference to some charities, so grow a pair and pick one.’

He stopped, leaned against a garden wall, and peered down the street at the handful of journalists and TV crews loitering outside the Abernethy house, doing bits to camera with the ‘FOR SALE’ sign and line of ‘POLICE’ tape in the background. They looked about as bored as it was possible to be and still remain awake. ‘It’s not right.’

‘You’re getting as bad as Rennie.’ More chewing. ‘Fancy Chinese for tea tonight? ’

‘Can’t, I’ve got that NPIA review thing. And what am I supposed to do about being executor for Wee Hamish’s will? ’

‘That I can’t help you with. Don’t stay out too late.’ And she was gone. Some rotten sods just enjoyed other people’s misfortune.