“Okay, Barry. I thought maybe we could do this the quick way, but you’ve obviously got some time to kill. Let me tell you a wee story. On Monday afternoon, there was a burglary in North Kelvinside. Some confidential Scottish Office papers were stolen from a senior civil servant. Also on the missing list are the contents of a desk belonging to Harry Campbell, M.P. for Kinradie. The next day, the Scottish Daily Clarion had a cracking splash based on those Scottish Office papers. Now, I’m no Sherlock Holmes, but it seems to me that whoever gave that nice wee exclusive to the Clarion has either got Harry Campbell’s papers or else knows where they are. Does that seem about right to you so far?”

Ostler took a long drag on his cigarette. “So far, so good, Enid Blyton. But what has all that got to do with me?”

“I’ve got proof that it was you who sold the story to the Clarion.”

He looked shrewdly at her. “You’re bullshitting me, wee lassie. How can you have something that doesn’t exist?”

“Oh, it exists, all right. Because it was you who sold the story, Barry. So that means you’ve either got Harry Campbell’s papers or you know who does. And Harry wants those papers back very badly. That’s why I’m here.” Lindsay pulled opened her handbag and, under the guise of removing her own cigarettes, checked that her tiny voice-activated tape recorder was working.

“Even supposing it was me who gave the story to the Clarion, why the hell should I help you? I mean, if Harry Campbell wants those papers back so badly, they must be worth something. Maybe even another splash in the Clarion, eh?” Ostler said craftily, lighting another cigarette.

“They are worth something, Barry,” Lindsay replied. “Shall I tell you exactly what they’re worth?”

He nodded, appearing vastly amused. “You tell me.”

“They’re worth about six months. That’s what you’ll get if I tell the police it was you who leaked the story to the Clarion.”

“Now wait a minute,” he said apprehensively. “Just wait a minute. What are you saying?”

“I’ve had the police on my back. For some reason, they seem to think it was me who leaked the story. After all, I’ve got more of a track record than you when it comes to breaking stories that embarrass the government. It would make my life a lot easier if I didn’t have the Special Branch breathing down my neck. If I give them you on toast, and tell them where the evidence is that ties you to the burglary, everybody will be happy. Well, me and the police’ll be happy, anyway.”