Siobhan seemed to lose interest in her food. Rebus wasn’t too worried: she’d already dispatched a mixed tandoori starter and the bulk of her biryani. He watched her take out her phone and try the station again. She’d called once already: no one had answered. This time someone did.

‘Eric? It’s Siobhan. What’s happening there? Have we got Marr yet? What’s he saying?’ She listened, then her eyes met Rebus’s. ‘Really?’ Her voice had risen slightly in pitch. ‘That was a bit silly, wasn’t it?’

For a second, Rebus thought: suicide. He drew a finger across his throat, but Siobhan shook her head.

‘Okay, Eric. Thanks for that. See you later.’ She ended the call, took her time placing the phone back in her bag.

‘Spit it out,’ Rebus said.

She scooped up another forkful of food. ‘You’re suspended, remember? Off the case.’

‘I’ll suspend you from the ceiling if you don’t cough up.’

She smiled, put the fork down, food untouched. The waiter took a step forward, ready to clear the table, but Rebus waved him back.

‘Well,’ Siobhan said, ‘they went to pick up Mr Marr at his detached home in The Grange, only he wasn’t there.’

‘And?’

‘And the reason he wasn’t there was, he’d been told they’d be coming. Gill Templer called the ACC, said they were picking up Marr for questioning. The ACC “suggested” they phone Mr Marr beforehand, as “a courtesy”.’

She picked up the water jug, tipped the dregs into her glass. The same waiter started forward, ready to replace the jug, but Rebus waved him back again.

‘So Marr did a runner?’

Siobhan nodded. ‘Looks like it. His wife says he took the call, and two minutes later when she went to look for him, he wasn’t there and neither was the Maserati.’

‘Better stick one of the napkins in your pocket,’ Rebus suggested. ‘Looks like some egg needs wiping from Carswell’s face.’

‘I can’t imagine he’ll have fun explaining to the Chief Constable,’ Siobhan agreed. Then she watched a grin light up Rebus’s face. ‘Just what you needed?’ she guessed.

‘Might help take some of the heat off.’

‘Because Carswell will be too busy covering his own arse to find time to kick yours?’

‘Eloquently put.’

‘It’s the college education.’

‘So what’s happening about Marr?’ Rebus nodded towards the waiter, who took a hesitant step forward, unsure if he’d suddenly be expelled again. ‘Two coffees,’ Rebus told him. The man made a little bow and moved off.

‘Not sure,’ Siobhan admitted.

‘Night before the funeral, could be awkward.’

‘High-speed car chase … stop and arrest …’ Siobhan was imagining the scenario. ‘Grieving parents wondering why their best friend is suddenly in custody …’

‘If Carswell’s thinking straight, he’ll do nothing till the funeral’s over. Could be Marr will turn up there anyway.’