The two men sized one another up. If there had been a chessboard between them, they might have been readying to call a draw—another draw in an ever-lengthening line of them. Cafferty finished his drink and got to his feet. “One more?” he asked, heading for the bar without waiting for a reply. Having ordered for both of them, he listened as the door behind him rattled open and then closed again. When he turned, Rebus was gone, leaving behind a half-full glass and the photo from the funeral.

A forest somewhere…

As good a place as any…

A forest…

Back at his flat, Rebus tapped the number he had for Frank Hammell into his phone. It rang and rang without anyone answering. He tipped the dregs of the whisky bottle into his mouth and swallowed them down. He was standing by the living room window, its view unchanged. The two kids in the flat opposite were cross-legged on the carpet watching TV. He wondered what life held in store for them. An absent parent, perhaps. College or straight into work? Maybe unemployment. Meeting someone they really loved. And the last-chance saloon of IVF. Then they might become parents themselves, worrying about the future and wishing they could see what it held. His phone buzzed, Hammell’s name appearing on the screen. Rebus hesitated, then decided to answer.

“I think we should meet,” he said.

“Why?” The voice sounded dry and hollow.

“Because I’ve heard about you and Darryl.”

“I never want to hear that little prick’s name again!”

“You might have to,” Rebus stated calmly. “What’s more, I think it’ll be worth it.”

“I’m not a grass, Rebus.”

“I’m not asking you to be one. I just need you to answer a question—it’s not even a question about Darryl.”

“And?”

“And a spot of payback might well be forthcoming.”

There was silence on the line as Hammell considered this. Rebus listened to him exhale. “What’s the question?”

“There may be a follow-up, depending on how you answer.”

“Just ask me the damned question.”

“Okay, then.” One of the kids opposite had come to the window. They waved at Rebus. He waved back. “Where would you bury a body?” he asked Hammell, as the kid waved again, this time with a huge gap-toothed grin.

A forest…

Rebus was leaving his tenement building, pulling the door shut behind him, when he saw Siobhan Clarke standing on the pavement.

“Got Page with you?” he asked, looking to left and right.

“No.”

“So what can I do for you?”

“I was a bit worried, that’s all.”

“Worried?”

“You’ve fallen off the radar.”

“Maybe it escaped your attention, but I’m not on the books any more.”

“All the same…”

“What?”

She studied him closely. “I was right. You’ve got that look in your eyes. Something’s brewing.”

“Nothing’s brewing.”

“And suddenly he gets all defensive…”