They walked down Byres Road and into Partick, still accompanied by the mist. As Sean slipped his arm around her shoulders, in that easy way of his, Rhona sensed something might have changed since their last meal together, when he’d revealed the situation at the club. Either the worries regarding the club’s finances had been fixed or Sean, in his inimitable way of looking at the world, had decided not to let them weigh on him any more.

Rhona silently wished she might be capable of doing the same.

Waiting for their order to arrive, he asked her about Orkney.

‘A washed-up body from the MV Orlova,’ she said.

‘God, are there likely to be more?’

‘Erling Flett suspects so, yes. When and where they might appear is anyone’s guess.’

They were avoiding talking about McNab, but could only do that for so long. Sean suddenly reminded her that when McNab was last in trouble, he’d hidden out at the jazz club.

‘If he asks to do that again,’ Rhona said with a half-smile, ‘I want you to tell me, right away. Promise?’

Her mobile rang before Sean could respond. Checking the screen, hoping as ever that it might be McNab, she saw Ellie’s name.

With a quick glance at Sean, she answered.

‘Rhona?’

‘Hi, Ellie.’ Rhona waited.

‘I’ve been trying to get hold of Michael,’ Ellie said. ‘We’d arranged to go to dinner with Janice and Paula, and I can’t reach him to confirm . . .’ Her voice faltered. ‘His mobile seems to be dead?’

‘He’s maybe out of power,’ Rhona said. ‘He’s had to go to London on a case.’

Sean caught her eye, urging her to be truthful with Ellie.

‘He’s been out of touch for a while,’ Rhona admitted. ‘That sometimes happens when he’s on a job. I’ll make sure he gets in touch with you the moment we hear from him.’

‘If you would, please,’ Ellie said, her voice breaking a little.

Ringing off, Rhona looked to Sean, saying nothing. She didn’t have to. Her worried silence said it all.

59

Looking up at a pristine white ceiling, he registered that he no longer smelt of anything but mild antiseptic. McNab breathed it in and allowed himself the ghost of a smile before reality hit.

Dragging himself upright, he checked his visible wounds, to find all were stitched or bandaged. He loosened the ties on the hospital gown and eased it off his shoulders to get a better view.

His body was colourful and definitely not pretty. But hey, he was semi-upright and warm, which meant he was alive. It also meant he had to get out of there.