When Ralph was eventually found, Rebus laid everything out for him. “Bell is in a black BMW X5 with tinted windows. We need to grab that car. There’s a good chance it’ll have some goodies in the boot. Plus a few baddies in the front.”

Rebus watched Fox roll his eyes at the pun. He mouthed the words Get used to it and added a wink. Then, to Ralph: “We also need a search warrant for the multistory in Livingston. Has to be right away, because there’s some CCTV footage there we can use, if we get it before it self-erases. It’ll probably show the stuff being transferred from the two cars to the BMW.”

“I’ll see to it, John,” Ralph said. “And a forensic team to the scrap yard, yes?”

“Absolutely. Checking for prints and trace evidence.”

“And you’re sure you’ve cleared this with DCI Page?”

“He agrees with me, sir—it’s all the one case.”

“Then I’ll get onto it. Thank you, John.”

“Yes, sir. Oh, by the way—have you pulled the three students in for interview.”

“They were supposed to be here at nine. Tried their phones and sent an officer to Ms. Traynor’s flat—no joy.”

“Keeping their heads down.”

“Pretty much as you predicted. Any more tasks for me before I get started with this lot?”

“No, sir.” Rebus ended the call and tapped his phone against his chin.

“Job done?” Fox asked him.

“Not quite,” Rebus decided. “But it’s up to you whether you want to see it through. Could get messy.”

“I can always clean up after,” Fox told him with a shrug.

“Getting to like CID, Detective Inspector?”

“It has its attractions,” Malcolm Fox conceded.

Every parking space on Great King Street was taken, so Rebus ended up on the single yellow again. He had explained to Fox that they were going to have a word with Owen Traynor. If he wasn’t there, hopefully Jessica or Alice Bell could provide his whereabouts.

“Alice knew about the body in the boot?” Fox asked.

Rebus nodded. “Her uncle’s way of letting her know he was taking care of her.”

“Not quite a birthday card with a tenner in it.”

“Not quite,” Rebus agreed.

Rebus pressed the bell but there was no answer. He was trying a second time when Fox tugged on his sleeve. “Isn’t that…?”

He was pointing along the street, towards a black 4x4. Rebus led the way, walking around the car. Tinted windows. BMW X5. No parking fee had been paid and the wardens had already stuck a ticket on the windscreen.

“Shall I phone it in?” Fox asked.

Rebus nodded, then tried the boot, though he knew it would be locked. Pressing his nose to the glass, he couldn’t see anything on the backseat. No boxes or bags.