She wouldn’t, Callanach thought. Or at least she wouldn’t have before. Right now, she was so angry … it didn’t bear thinking about. The only thing was that Ava already knew about his emails to his mother. Handing those emails over to Graham would also implicate her. So perhaps Ava wasn’t involved. She wasn’t the only superior officer who could approve the application. Detective Superintendent Overbeck could have done that, and with Ava wrapped up in the Hawksmith and Shozo investigations, it was entirely possible that Graham had gone straight to his boss’s boss. Overbeck would be quite happy to see him crushed. She’d made it perfectly clear he wasn’t her choice for a new detective inspector when he’d joined Police Scotland. That didn’t explain who’d killed Jenson and Western, though.

The next email was from DS Lively. Callanach clicked it open, hoping it would contain a case update.

Are you taking up modelling again, now that you’re on a long holiday? it began. No ‘sir’ or pleasantries. Typical Lively.

We can all get to the mirror in the gents now that you’re not here, and I’ve taken that chair you like and moved it to my desk. Some wee bastard’s still killing people. Guess you’re seeing that on the news. The Chief’s got a bug up her arse, so you should probably come back soon and help us out. There’s a beer on me if you fancy it.

Lively.

In spite of everything, Callanach smiled. Lively was the last person he’d have assumed was concerned about him. Frankly, he’d doubted Lively even knew what his email login was, but he’d made the effort to get in contact. The beer he’d take with a pinch of salt. Lively wasn’t known for getting his wallet out, but the thought was a kind one and sufficiently out of character that Callanach wondered if he ought to be worried.

His mobile rang and for a second Callanach thought it would be his larger-than-life, rougher-than-sandpaper sergeant following up. Instead, DS Graham’s softer accent came through.

‘What can I do for you?’ Callanach asked.

‘We need an additional statement for clarity. Just a procedural matter relating to the forensics we’ve got back. Would tomorrow morning suit?’ Graham asked.

‘Sure, I’ll come into the station,’ Callanach said.

‘Best not in the circumstances. We’ll come to you.’

As much as Callanach wanted to ask what it was about, he knew the strategies too well to show any level of concern. Best to be completely laid-back about it.

‘Sure. Whatever you need. Is 9 a.m. okay?’

‘That would be great,’ Graham said. ‘I don’t suppose DCI Turner’s been in touch today, has she?’

‘No, not at all,’ Callanach said.