‘But who did set it up?’

Kemp shook his head. ‘Nobody knows. It was anonymous. A telephone call on the Thursday to all the news desks. Police are going to raid a brothel in Edinburgh on Friday night . . . here’s the address . . . if you’re there around midnight, you’re guaranteed to bag an MP.’

‘The caller said that?’

‘Apparently, his exact words were “at least one MP will be inside”.’

‘But he didn’t name any names?’

‘He didn’t have to. Royalty, MPs, actors and singers – give those papers a sniff of any category and you’ve got them hooked. I’m probably mixing metaphors there, but you get the gist.’

‘Oh yes, Chris, I get the gist. So what do you make of it?’

‘Looks like Jack was set up to take a fall. But note, his name wasn’t mentioned by the caller.’

‘All the same . . .’

‘Yes, all the same.’

Rebus was thinking furiously. If he hadn’t been slouching on the sofa, he might have said he was thinking on his feet. Actually, he was debating with himself. About whether or not to do Gregor Jack a huge favour. Points against: he didn’t owe Jack any favours; besides, he should try to remain objective – wasn’t that what Lauderdale had been getting at? Points for: one really – he wouldn’t just be doing Jack a favour, he might also flush out the rat who’d set Jack up. He made his decision.

‘Chris, I want to tell you something . . .’

Kemp caught the whiff of a story. ‘Attributable?’

But Rebus shook his head. ‘Afraid not.’

‘Accurate then?’

‘Oh yes, I can guarantee it’s accurate.’

‘Go on, I’m listening.’

Last chance to bottle out. No, he wasn’t going to bottle out. ‘I can tell you why Gregor Jack was at that brothel.’

‘Yes?’

‘But I want to know something first – are you holding something back?’

Kemp shrugged. ‘I don’t think so.’

Rebus still didn’t believe him. But then Kemp had no reason to tell Rebus anything. It wasn’t as if Rebus was going to tell him anything that he didn’t want him to know. They sat in silence for half a minute, neither friends nor enemies; more like trench soldiers on a Christmas Day kickabout. At any moment, the sirens might sound and shrapnel pierce the peace. Rebus recalled that he knew one thing Kemp wanted to know: how Ronald Steele got his nickname . . .

‘So,’ Kemp said, ‘why was he there?’

‘Because someone told him his sister was working there.’

Kemp pursed his lips.

‘Working as a prostitute,’ Rebus explained. ‘Someone phoned him – anonymously – and told him. So he went along.’

‘That was stupid.’

‘Agreed.’

‘And was she there?’

‘Yes. She calls herself Gail Crawley.’

‘How do you spell that?’

‘C-r-a-w-1-e-y.’

‘And you’re sure of this?’

‘I’m sure. I’ve spoken with her. She’s still in Edinburgh, still working.’

Kemp kept his voice level, but his eyes were gleaming. ‘You know this is a story?’