Val shook her head slowly. ‘No dice, lads. Lauren, well, I suppose she might have been seeing Leo, once upon a time. But that’s ancient history now. So, if there’s nothing else.’

Clare tried one last time. ‘Thing is,’ she said, ‘that party at Lamond Lodge – a man died. And we have reason to believe Zac Buchanan may have been in the area. We also believe there’s no love lost between Zac and the victim. If you have evidence of his whereabouts and you withhold it…’

‘Like I said. Nothing to do with me. But…’

‘Yes?’

‘Well, you might find him in Leven. Am no’ sayin’ I’ve got an address, mind. But the local polis will know.’

Clare nodded. ‘We’ll check with them. Just one more thing…’

‘Oh aye?’

‘What do you know about stolen cars? High-end cars.’

Val raised an eyebrow. ‘Zac been up to his old tricks again?’

Clare said, ‘It’s something we’re looking into. So?’

She shrugged again. ‘Nothin’ to do with me, love. Now, if you don’t mind…’

Clare rose from the sofa. ‘Thanks for your co-operation.’

As they walked to the door, Chris said, ‘Don’t forget to check your phone for missed calls.’

The door slammed behind them. ‘Well that was a waste of time,’ Chris said.

‘Not entirely. We now know the burner phone is Val’s. Good idea, calling it, by the way.’

‘I try.’

‘And there’s a definite link between Val and Zac Buchanan – their kids knowing each other. What if Val and Zac are both involved in the killing at Lamond Lodge?’

‘Bit tenuous,’ Chris said. He clicked to unlock the car and they climbed in. ‘I can see Val might have arranged the minibus – and the women.’ He started the engine but sat on, letting it idle. ‘And, if she did, maybe the gun was hidden in the vehicle. But…’

‘Go on.’

‘I don’t see where Zac fits in. From what Melanie said, it doesn’t sound as if he could have been in the minibus.’

Clare pulled on her seat belt. ‘Don’t forget Zac and Russell have history.’

‘Fair point.’ He sat considering this then pulled the car out into the road. ‘So, back to the station?’

‘Yeah, I think so. The Leven lads will let us know if Zac shows up.’

They sat at traffic lights, waiting to emerge onto the busy Queensferry Road.

Clare watched the stream of traffic for a few moments then said, ‘Let’s recap what we know.’

The lights went green and Chris nosed forward, just making it through the junction as they went to amber again. ‘Okay,’ he said. ‘Gaby Fox arranges a surprise party for her brother.’

‘Her brother who,’ Clare went on, ‘is planning to sell his restaurants – a fact Gaby seemed unaware of.’

‘But the husband knew.’

‘He did,’ Clare agreed. ‘So why would that be?’