He wasn’t sure he had heard her right. “Intercede?”

“On Malcolm Fox’s behalf. He’s requesting the pleasure of your company at some point in the next day or so.”

“And he’s too scared to ask me direct?”

“Something like that.”

“And you’re ‘interceding’ because…?”

“Because sometimes a friendly face helps.” She paused. “But I know you’re going to say no to him anyway.”

“Am I?”

“He’s the Complaints, John—you’re hardwired to spit in his face.”

Hardwired…He remembered Maggie’s words: there was an electric wire running through you…

“Some truth in that,” he said.

“So what should I tell him? Bearing in mind I’m a fragile flower of a soul.”

“Your patter’s pish, DI Clarke.”

“But you’re still going to say no?”

“I’m going to say tomorrow, the back room of the Ox, twelve noon.”

There was silence on the line.

“You still there?” he asked.

“I’m not sure.”

“Twelve tomorrow,” he confirmed.

“Just like that?”

“Just like that.”

“I’m never going to sleep now—not until you tell me why.” She paused again. “It’s almost as if you already knew.”

“Is it?”

“Knew he was on his way,” she went on. “But how is that possible? I’m the only one he told…”

“Magicians never reveal their secrets, Siobhan.”

“You know it’s to do with Summerhall? And the Saints of the Shadow Book?”

“Shadow Bible,” Rebus corrected her.

“But you know?” she persisted.

“One thing I don’t know, though…”

“Yes?”

“At this meeting tomorrow, will you be on my side or his?”

“What do you think?”

“Might be wiser not to be there at all.”

“But then who would stop you lamping him?”

“I’m not going to lamp him, Shiv—I want to hear what he’s got to say.”

“It concerns a man called Billy Saunders.”

“Well of course it does,” Rebus said, ending the call and exiting the car.

Day Three

Day Three

5

5