‘Detective Sergeant. Thanks for getting back to me. I really appreciate it.’

‘What’s up?’ McNab said cautiously.

‘Can you spare the time to come up to Stirling?’

‘Not really,’ McNab said. ‘As you can imagine as a former detective, we have our hands full here.’

‘Yes, I heard about Alec McLaughlin.’

McNab didn’t ask how he’d heard, since he was aware McCreadie had a network of probably more informants within Police Scotland than Chrissy.

‘I’ve asked Professor Pirie to come, and Marge, Karen Marshall’s friend from the Raploch cafe.’

McNab felt the hairs stand up on the back of his neck. Why the gathering? Was there something he was missing?

‘I’m in regular touch with Professor Pirie,’ McNab said, almost truthfully. ‘Can he inform me about whatever you’re discussing?’

‘It’s better if you learn this first-hand.’

McCreadie’s insistence was beginning to jar. ‘I believe I’m of more use here,’ McNab told him.

As he was on the point of killing the call, McCreadie’s voice broke in again.

‘Please, DS McNab, this is vitally important.’

‘But not so important that you can’t come to Glasgow?’

A moment’s silence, then, ‘I can’t leave her alone in the house.’

‘Can’t leave who alone?’ Was he jabbering on about his housekeeper?

‘I have Karen Marshall here, but she’s in a poor way.’

McNab was almost speechless. ‘You have apprehended Karen Marshall, without informing the police?’

‘I have just informed you. She’s agreed to see Professor Pirie and Marge. She is in a poor state mentally and physically, and very frightened by the prospect of the police. However, I think she’ll respond to you, especially since you and Professor Pirie work so closely and well together. Hence the call.’

McNab didn’t believe the last part of his pretty speech. As for the rest . . .

‘I’ll be there as soon as I can,’ McNab said and cut the call.

McCreadie’s announcement still ringing in his brain, he went in search of Janice, finally locating her in the canteen with a mug of tea and one of the ring doughnuts Ollie liked so much. He ordered a large black coffee and joined her.

‘What’s happened?’ she said, spotting his fraught expression.

McNab led with the news that wasn’t freaking him out.

‘I’ve spoken to Robbie McIntyre, who came in after hearing about McLaughlin,’ he told her. ‘He’s writing down what we talked about. Can you check on him and let him go? Unless, of course, you have anything you want to ask him yourself?’

‘He has an alibi for last night?’ Janice said.

‘Out drinking with his partner. He looked like that was true.’

‘You get which places they drank in?’

‘He’s supplying a list,’ McNab said.

‘So that’s not what you’re pissed off about?’

‘McCreadie says he’s found Karen Marshall.’

‘That’s good news, isn’t it?’ Janice sounded bewildered by his reaction.

‘He’s keeping her at his place. Smart says she’s only willing to speak to the Prof and her pal Marge. Not the police.’