‘Look, Gill,’ he said, ‘you and me, we’ve known each other for donkey’s. It’s no secret how I work. I’m sure DCS Watson quoted scripture on the subject.’

‘That was then, John.’

‘Meaning what?’

‘How much did you have to drink last night?’

‘More than I should have, but it wasn’t my fault.’ He watched as Gill raised an eyebrow. ‘I’m positive someone slipped me a Mickey Finn.’

‘I want you to see a doctor.’

‘Christ Almighty …’

‘Your drinking, your diet, your general health … I want you to take a medical, and whatever the doctor says is necessary, I want you to abide by it.’

‘Alfalfa and carrot juice?’

‘You’ll see a doctor, John.’ It was a statement. Rebus just snorted and drained his coffee, then held up the beaker.

‘Half-fat milk.’

She almost smiled. ‘It’s a start, I suppose.’

‘Look, Gill …’ He got up, tipped the beaker into the otherwise pristine waste-bin. ‘My drinking’s not a problem. It doesn’t interfere with my work.’

‘It did last night.’

He shook his head, but her face had hardened. Finally she took a deep breath. ‘Just before you left the club … you remember that?’

‘Sure.’ He hadn’t sat down; was standing in front of her desk, hands by his sides.

‘You remember what you said to me?’ His face told her all she needed to know. ‘You wanted me to go home with you.’

‘I’m sorry.’ He was trying to remember, but nothing was coming. He couldn’t remember leaving the club at all …

‘On you go, John. I’ll make that appointment for you.’

He turned, pulled open the door. He was halfway out when she called him back.

‘I lied,’ she said with a smile. ‘You didn’t say anything. Going to wish me well in the new job?’

Rebus tried for a sneer but couldn’t quite manage one. Gill held her smile until he’d slammed shut the door; after he’d gone, it fell away again. Watson had given her chapter and verse all right, but nothing she hadn’t already known: Enjoys his drink a bit too much, maybe, but he’s a good cop, Gill. He just likes to pretend he can do without the rest of us … Maybe that was true, as far as it went, but maybe, too, the time was coming fast when John Rebus would have to learn that they could do without him.