‘No, not at all. That’s why he’s spitting feathers. Shrouded in mystery, now you see it, now you don’t. But get this: Dom Wilson was the junior fiscal dealing with the case.’

‘Dominic Wilson? You don’t think his old man …’

‘Not in this heat.’

Laura looked puzzled.

‘He means it would take a cold day in hell,’ Catherine explained.

‘Why, who’s Dominic Wilson?’ Laura asked.

‘The only son of Ruaraidh Wilson. As in Ruaraidh Wilson QC.’

‘Oh God almighty.’

‘Actually, in Ruaraidh’s case I think you’re looking for the other end of that spectrum,’ Catherine said. ‘Though it would normally take an act of God for young Dominic to let go of a prosecution once he’s sunk his teeth in. He’s twice as tenacious as any other fiscal in the place; take your pick whether it’s because he wants to prove he didn’t need any help from his father to get where he is, or because he’s determined to be as effective at securing convictions as his old man is at thwarting them.’

‘His old man could have played a hand,’ Fletcher mused. ‘Stranger things have happened. Not much stranger, I grant you, but legal politics can trump family politics sometimes. Probably the only thing more complex and sensitive.’

‘Well, the practical upshot of it is that it puts Gary Fleeting well in the frame. Nothing solid yet, but it’s early days. He’ll do to be getting on with.’

‘I heard you doorstepped Paddy Steel,’ Fletch said with an approving grin. ‘What was he saying to it?’

‘The usual: Sitting Bull routine. Emphasis on the bull. He’s acting like him and McDiarmid were passing acquaintances, but he’s plonked there eating his three-pepper omelette with a Kevlar vest on.’

Fletcher let out a dry laugh.

‘Did you ask him who he thought done it?’

‘He said Tony McGill.’

Fletcher looked confused and even a little shocked for a moment, until the absurdity hit him and he got the joke.

‘Still trying to keep the drugs out of Gallowhaugh,’ Catherine added, which seemed to fairly crack him up.

Polis humour, she thought. You really did have to be there.

Their exchange apparently ending on this light note, Laura proceeded towards the double doors ahead, pushing open the one on the left and holding it for Catherine. As she did so, Fletcher gave Catherine a subtly beckoning look.

‘I’ll catch you up in a minute,’ she told Laura, who understood that she was being temporarily dismissed and proceeded into the car park.

‘Not in front of the children?’ Catherine asked.

Fletcher had a strained look about him, as though torn.

‘Just a more candid word of warning about Abercorn,’ he said. ‘Particularly given where your investigation might be leading you.’

‘I’m listening.’