‘These allegations,’ the lawyer finally said, ‘you must realise they’re worthless?’

‘If that’s your opinion, fair enough. I’m not asking Mr Summers to admit or deny anything. Like I said, he can do a deaf and dumb routine for all I care, so long as he uses his eyes.’

A smile from Pretty-Boy, then a glance towards his lawyer, who shrugged his shoulders, saying there was nothing here to fear. A glance back at Rebus, and Pretty-Boy unfolded his arms, picked up the first sheet, and started reading.

‘Just so we have a record for the tape,’ Rebus said, ‘Mr Summers is now reading a draft report prepared by myself earlier today.’

Rebus paused. ‘Actually, I mean yesterday, Saturday. He’s reading my interpretation of recent events in and around Edinburgh, events concerning his employer, Thomas Telford, a Japanese business consortium - which is really, in my opinion, a Yakuza front - and a gentleman from Newcastle by the name of Jake Tarawicz.’

He paused. The lawyer said: ‘Agreed, thus far.’

Rebus nodded and continued.

‘My version of events is as follows. Jake Tarawicz became an associate of Thomas Telford only because he wanted something Telford had: namely, a slick operation to bring drugs into Britain without raising suspicion. Either that or it was only later on, once their relationship had become established, that Tarawicz decided he could move in on Telford’s turf. To facilitate this, he manufactured a war between Telford and Morris Gerald Cafferty. This was easily accomplished. Telford had moved in aggressively on Cafferty’s territory, probably with Tarawicz egging him on. All Tarawicz had to do was make sure things escalated. To this end, he had one of his men attack a drug dealer outside one of Telford’s night-clubs, Telford immediately placing the blame on Cafferty. He also had some of his men attack a Telford stronghold in Paisley. Meanwhile, there were attacks on Cafferty’s territory and associates, retaliation by Telford for perceived wrongs.’

Rebus cleared his throat, took a sip of tea - a fresh cup, no sugar.

‘Does this sound familiar, Mr Summers?’

Pretty-Boy said nothing. He was busy reading. ‘My guess is that the Japanese were never meant to become involved. In other words, they had no knowledge of what was happening. Telford was showing them around, easing the way for them as they tried to buy a country club. Rest and recreation for their members, plus a good way of laundering money - less suspect than a casino or similar operation, especially when an electronics factory is about to open, so that the Yakuza slip into the country as just a few more Japanese businessmen.

‘I think when Tarawicz saw this, he began to worry. He didn’t want to get rid of Tommy Telford just to leave the way open for other competitors to muscle in. So he decided they’d have to become part of his plan. He had Matsumoto followed. He had him killed, and in a nice twist made me the chief suspect. Why? Two reasons. First, Tommy Telford had me pegged as Cafferty’s man, so by fingering me, Tarawicz was fingering Cafferty. Second, he wanted me out of the game, because I’d gone to Newcastle, and had met one of his men, a guy called William ‘The Crab’ Cotton. I knew the Crab of old, and it so happened Tarawicz had used him for the hit on the drug dealer. He didn’t want me putting two and two together.’