“No, Mark wasn’t the type. He brooded for a while and then it seemed all forgotten. But I don’t recall any more trips after that. Which was a huge relief, I can tell you.”
Ravi sipped his coffee, he couldn’t hide his disappointment. “And your husband wasn’t involved in feuds with anybody else during that period?”
“Nothing that stays in the memory. Richard was the sort of man who was rude to waiters and taxi-drivers. He could be completely obnoxious, but I doubt any of the recipients of his rudeness would take a hit out on him.”
Dani nodded, she was inclined to agree. “We appreciate you giving us your time today.”
Eleanor gathered up the cups and carried them to the sink. “Why are you so interested in Mark Vogel? Has new evidence come to light? Is he implicated in some way?”
Ravi glanced at the DCI. “There’s nothing conclusive. We aren’t at liberty to say unless we find something more.”
Eleanor narrowed her eyes inquisitively. “Because that would explain why Anna has been avoiding me. She’s ignored a couple of my calls.”
Dani got to her feet. “That’s interesting.”
Ravi shook the woman’s hand. “If we do discover something concrete, I will let you know immediately.”
“Thank you,” she replied. “I thought I really didn’t care who killed my ex-husband, but actually, for the sake of my children, and the man he was at the beginning, it turns out maybe I do.”
Chapter 28
Fergus was trying to clear his desk of paperwork, so he could get home early to Alice. He was hoping to cook her a nutritious dinner before running her a deep bath, where she could soak in the bubbles and ease her aching back.
He was just smiling to himself at the image when one of the older clerks knocked on his door and entered.
“What is it Gordon?”
“We had a phone call from Saughton Jail this afternoon. You weren’t at your desk, so I jotted the message down.”
Fergus sighed, knowing it wasn’t going to be good news. “Read it out for me, would you?”
“The call was made by one of the duty solicitors at the prison. Billy Edmonds requested a visit from him last night from his cell. Apparently, they proceeded to chat into the wee small hours.”
“I can think of better people to spend a night with.”
Gordon cracked a crooked smile. “The poor guy didn’t sound overjoyed, that’s true enough. But the upshot is that Edmonds is singing like the proverbial canary. He’s given the solicitor a list of names as long as your arm. He claims they’re all members of a European organisation who set up fights at major football matches. They share the details online. He’s prepared to testify against each and every one of them.”
Unfortunately for Fergus, this claim rang true. “From the research I did on Edmonds before the trial, it was clear he’d taken part in football hooliganism over the years. Is the solicitor sending us the list?”
Gordon nodded. “It’ll be biked over first thing tomorrow. But there’s a catch.”
“Of course, there was bound to be,” Fergus said with resignation.
“Edmonds wants his custodial sentence lifted. He’s demanding six months community service instead.”
“For killing a man?”
“He told the brief that this organisation is properly nasty, and what with the World Cup starting in a few weeks, they’ve got big plans. The chatter online suggests clashes involving the throwing of noxious substances at visiting fans. We all know what that means.”
Fergus rubbed his face vigorously. “Right, I’ll need to prepare a plea for presentation to the Fiscal’s office in the morning. It looks like Edmonds has got us exactly where he wants us.”
“But if we close down this hooligan network, Mr Kelso, it will be worth it, don’t you think?”
Fergus conjured up a vision of the rat-like face of Billy Edmonds and shuddered. He wasn’t convinced it would.
*
Alice had experienced a restless night, she just couldn’t get comfortable, and the baby had decided to launch a kick to her stomach each time she was about to drift off.
Fergus was already at the table in their narrow kitchen, drinking coffee. His laptop was open in front of him.
“Did you come to bed at all last night?” She asked, opening the fridge, reaching for a carton of fresh orange juice and noting how empty the container of coffee beans had become, after she’d filled it the previous day.
“I got a couple of hours sleep on the sofa. I didn’t want to disturb you by coming up.”
Alice smoothed a hand across her bump. “You shouldn’t have worried. This one managed that all on his own.”
Fergus laughed. “Try and get some rest today. Dani isn’t expecting you in the office for the rest of the week.”
She lowered herself carefully into a chair. “No, and I am intending to take it easy. It doesn’t look like we’re ever going to resolve the McGill case.”
Fergus gave her a sympathetic glance. “I’m sorry about that. I know how much time you’ve spent on it.”
Alice shrugged. “Too much time, I expect. Now, tell me about this appeal you’re drafting for Edmonds.”
“I’ve been reviewing precedents involving police informants who’ve had their sentences reduced in return for evidence supplied. However, none of them had been convicted of anything as serious as manslaughter.”
“But Edmonds’ evidence is pretty good, isn’t it? Some of the men on his list will be wanted by Interpol.”
Fergus nodded. “Yes, there’s no way the Fiscal’s office, or indeed the government, will allow this chance to slip through their fingers. This World Cup is already mired in political controversy. If we can pull together with our European allies to reduce organised violence on the continent ahead of the tournament, it will be quite a diplomatic coup.”
Alice sipped her juice. “Then why don’t you seem very happy about it?”
“Because it means Billy will be back on the streets, feeling like he can do anything he damn well pleases and escape punishment.”
Alice cringed. “It’s not a pleasant thought, I agree.”
Fergus leant across and took her hand. “Once I’ve filed this plea, that will be the end of it. Someone else will handle the prosecution of those other thugs. I will just be concentrating on you and the baby for the next few months.”
Alice laid her mouth on his. “I’m glad to hear it. Now, before you go, you can run me that bath you’ve been promising.”
He kissed her gently in return. “Absolutely, darling. I can’t have you thinking that I don’t keep my promises.”
Chapter 29
2003
A bitter wind swept through the churchyard. Rupali Stevens shivered inside her black woollen jacket. Beside her, Ravi surveyed the solemn gathering. Deborah Shorter was in the arms of her two grown-up sons. Colin Bell had his hands formed into fists down by his side, as if he was about to hit someone. A few of the top brass from Inverness had turned up, for which the detective was glad.
Poor Tim Hawkes was standing, hunch-shouldered by the graveside, looking like he might be contemplating throwing himself in after his boss. Ravi made a mental note to spend some time talking to the lad, reassuring him it wasn’t his fault, that without the young DC’s quick arrival at the scene, Tony would have died alone.
The minister finished his sermon and Deborah and the boys scattered soil onto the coffin as it was lowered into the ground. As the mourners moved away, drifting back towards the car-park, contemplating the journey to the Shorters’ house, where the wake was being held, a DCI from Aberfoyle fell into step beside Ravi.
“It was a very moving service,” he commented.
“Yes,” Ravi replied. “The minister knew Tony well.”
The DCI nodded sombrely.
Ravi knew it wasn’t the best of moments, but he wasn’t sure when there’d be another opportunity, so he asked, “do we know yet who will take Tony’s place heading up the investigation, sir?”
/> The DCI was silent for several strides. Then he said, “the McGill murder inquiry will pass over to my team in Aberfoyle. Much as I respected Tony, he’d made no real progress in finding the killer.”
Ravi stopped in his tracks. Rupali looked back at her husband, wondering what was wrong. “But we have several lines of inquiry still to pursue. There are still calls coming through in response to Tony’s newspaper appeal. Colin and I can easily handle it.”
“I’m sure you can handle the investigative side of things but neither of you hold the rank necessary to run a murder team.” He placed a hand on Ravi’s shoulder. “Your role in the case has been recognised by the Chief Constable in Inverness. If you wish to apply for promotion, now would be a good time to get the ball rolling.”
Ravi glanced over his shoulder at the open grave, feeling a lump forming in his throat for the first time since Tony’s death. Would all of the boss’s work on the case really have been for nothing? “You’ll still need the files we’ve compiled so far. It seems a waste of effort to cart the whole lot over to Aberfoyle. Couldn’t you send some officers down to Cleland to run the inquiry, then our team can assist?”
“I’m impressed by your dedication, Stevens. But between you and me, we intend to start from scratch; focus on the organised crime angle suggested by the firearm retrieved from the scene. It looks like McGill maybe bought his weekend snorts from the wrong person, hey?”
Ravi shook his head. “There were no drugs in the cottage, or any indication there had ever been any in the property. The sniffer dogs would have picked up on it. With respect, I think that’s a blind alley.”
The DCI’s posture stiffened. “Well, you and Shorter came up against your fair share of dead-ends. It’s time for a fresh set of eyes.”
Ravi took several deep breaths to control his rising anger. Seeing the senior officer drift away, Rupali approached her husband and took his arm. “Come on,” she said gently. “We need to head off to Deborah’s place, she’ll be wondering where we are.”
He allowed his wife to lead him through the churchyard, recognising the symbolism of the rows of gravestones they were carefully weaving past. Because Ravi was certain that with the passing of Tony Shorter, the McGill case was now also dead and buried.
Chapter 30
Present Day
York Street was flanked by the imposing corporate headquarters of Scotland’s leading banks. Strolling along the pavement, Ravi and Dani reached the revolving doors which gave access to the reception of Pioneer Associates, the company McGill had been working for when he was killed.
The detectives paused outside, observing the activity in the minimalistic lobby through the tall glass frontage.
“We can’t go inside,” Dani said flatly. “If Mark Vogel sees us talking to people, he’ll have us up on a harassment charge before I’ve had time to get back to the department.”
“Then I suggest we try the bar on the corner. It was the place where Holly and Richard met and started their affair. She said it was frequented by employees from the bank.”
Dani started walking. “Fine, but that was fifteen years ago, it could be a nail salon by now.”
Fortunately, the wine bar was still there, and it was packed full of corporate types in smart, pin-stripe suits.
Ravi glanced at his watch. “It’s nearly one o’clock. The lunch crowd should be in. So,” he grinned. “Do we look like city traders, or cops?”
“Cops,” Dani commented without hesitation. “But that’ll have to do.”
They elbowed their way to the bar. Dani surveyed the groups of identically clad men and wondered how on earth they would identify someone to talk to. “I’ll try and find us a seat,” she yelled above the chatter.
A pair of stools sat empty by the window and Dani swooped in on them. A group of mostly men and a couple of women were gathered around a pillar to her right. She was able to hear their conversation clearly. They were discussing Brexit of all things, but Dani noted one of the men was wearing a lanyard with the PAB symbol on it.
Ravi snaked across from the bar with their drinks. Dani sipped her coke and dipped her head towards the group beside their table, indicating they were employees of Richard McGill’s former bank.
Dani tried to assess their ages. They seemed a mixed bunch and their conversation was formal and guarded, which suggested to her that perhaps they all worked for the same department, rather than being friends.
The oldest looking member of the group pulled a packet of cigarettes from his top pocket and headed for a side door, Dani slipped off her stool and followed.
There was a covered courtyard between the buildings, being used by the bar as a smoking area. The man leant against a wall in one corner and lit up.
Dani approached him. The man started to smile and raise his eyebrows until she reached for her warrant card, when the smile was abruptly wiped from his lips.
He held out the cigarette clamped between his fingers. “It’s B&H, not wacky-baccy.”
Dani gave a conciliatory smile. “I’m not interested in what you like to smoke. You work for the Pioneer Associates Bank, is that right?”
He nodded. “Pete Watts, Acquisitions and Mergers.”
“Do you know a fellow employee called Mark Vogel?”
“Sure, he’s in another department, but we’ve both been at PAB a long time. He’s one of the legal eagles.”
“And what about Richard McGill, did you know him when he was at the bank?”
Pete’s brow furrowed, so that the lines there grew deeply etched, showing his years. “A very long time ago we were mates, God rest his soul.”
Dani nodded in agreement. “Some fresh evidence may have come to light in relation to his murder. I wondered if you would be able to assist our inquiry.”
“Sure, I’d be happy to help the police. I gave a statement back during the original investigation.” He glanced about at their dingy surroundings. “But wouldn’t it be better to talk back at the office? Or even my house, we live just south of the river?”
“It shouldn’t take long, Mr Watts.”
His expression grew sceptical. “Okay, fire away.”
“Did you work for PAB in the nineties?”
He nodded. “I started there on a graduate programme in ’94.”
“And do you recall a CEO who was keen on organising ‘team-building’ activities for the employees of the bank.”
Pete grimaced. “Yep, I went on a few paint-balling away-days. More team-building went on in the pub than during the activities, I seem to remember. That boss moved on sometime around the millennium. He wasn’t missed, particularly by our wives.”
“What about a long weekend away on the continent? Do you remember that?”
Pete took a drag on his cigarette. “You mean the Marseille trip?”
Dani nodded, saying nothing.
“Christ, that was twenty years ago. It’s all a bit of a blur, to be honest.”
“But Richard McGill and Mark Vogel were both present during that weekend?”
“Yeah, they came on all those trips. If you wanted to get on in the company, it was pretty much obligatory. There was a bit of sight-seeing laid on, events and so-forth but we spent most of our time in the bars.”
“Was Vogel as big a drinker as the rest of you?”
Pete shook his head. “Not really, but he wasn’t the only light-weight. You just went back to your hotel-room if you’d had enough.”
“Did Mark Vogel do that whilst you were in Marseille?”
He laughed. “I can’t bloody remember!” He tossed the butt to the ground and stamped on it. “Look, it was June ’98 and the CEO had managed to get us VIP tickets for a match. It took place on the Monday, the last afternoon of our stay. We were drinking from the minute we got into the stadium until the final whistle blew. It was hot and chaotic. I think we even got split up on our way out. Some went on drinking in the town that night, but I went back to the hotel, as it happens. The atmosphere between the fans wa
sn’t pleasant during that tournament. I didn’t fancy being in the centre of it all.”
Dani’s mind was ticking over. “The trip was during the 1998 World Cup?”
“Yep, that’s right. It’s the reason we were in France that weekend. And we’ve got another World Cup about to start, twenty years to the month, funny isn’t it?” He placed the cigarette packet back into his pocket. “Can I go now? I really can’t remember any more.”
Dani stepped aside. She noticed Ravi standing in the doorway to the pub, observing their exchange. “Of course, but if we need to talk to you again, how can we contact you? Might you be prepared to give another statement?”
He flipped open his wallet and handed her a card. “Yes, call me whenever you like. I had a lot of time for Rick. He was one of the lads. If you like, you can add your own number to the back. Then if I do recall anything else, I can contact you.”
Chapter 31
Fergus invited their guests inside. Dani placed her jacket on a hook and followed their host to the sitting room, where Alice was seated in an arm chair, propped up by cushions. The DI looked much healthier than when she’d last set eyes on her.
Dani took the adjacent seat. “How are you feeling?”
“Much better, thanks. My back hurts less when I don’t try to perform any actual tasks. But my brain is desperately missing stimulation.”
“Then it’s lucky we came,” Dani added with a grin.
Ravi hovered in the doorway awkwardly. “It’s very kind of you both to invite me into your home.” He handed a bottle of red to Fergus.
“Anyone who brings wine, is always welcome.” He patted the DI’s shoulder reassuringly. “Please go inside and take a seat.”
Alice shuffled up higher. “I should be grateful to you for coming here. When Dani told me what you discovered about Richard and Mark’s trip to Marseille, I thought Fergus and I might be able to help. But there’s no way I can get into the department right now.”
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