Exit Music

He started to tuck his ID back into his pocket.

'I used to have one of those,' Rebus told him.

“What's in the bag?' Stone asked.

'My retirement.'

'That explains a lot.'

Rebus tried focusing on him. 'Such as?'

'The amount you've put away, for one thing.'

'Six pints, three shorts, and half a bottle of wine.'

'And the man's still standing.' Stone shook his head in disbelief.

'So what brings you here? Bit of unfinished business still niggling you?'

Rebus had started opening his cigarettes, until he remembered where he was. 'How do you mean?' he asked.

'Planning to unhook a few of Cafferty's plugs and tubes?'

'It wasn't me at the canal.'

'A blood-spattered overshoe says otherwise.'

'Didn't know inanimate objects could talk.' Rebus was thinking back to his chat with Sonia.

'They've got a language all of their own, Rebus,' Stone clarified, 'and Forensics to do the translating.'

Yes, Rebus thought, his mind clearing a little, and SOCOs to pick them up in the first place… SOCOs like little Sonia. 'Can I

assume,' he said, 'that you've been visiting the patient yourself?'

'Trying to change the subject?'

'Just wondering.'

Stone nodded eventually. 'The whole surveillance is in cold storage till he wakes up. Means I'm headed back home in the morning. DI Davidson will keep me informed of developments.'

'I wouldn't try asking him any difficult questions tomorrow,'

Rebus gave warning. 'He was last seen dancing his way down Young Street.'

'I'll bear that in mind.' Stone was rising to his feet. 'Now come on, I'll give you a lift.'

'My flat's the other end of town,' Rebus stated. 'I'll phone for a taxi.'

'Then I'll wait with you till it comes.'

'Not that you don't trust me, DI Stone.'

Stone didn't bother answering. Rebus had taken a couple of steps towards the ward, but only to peer through one of the porthole-style windows. He couldn't figure out which bed was Cafferty's. Some of them had screens around them anyway.

'What if you've pulled the plug on him?' Rebus asked. 'You've got yourself the perfect fall-guy.'

But Stone shook his head, and, like the nurse before him, gestured towards the security camera. 'CCTV would prove you never crossed the threshold. Haven't you heard that old saying, “The camera never lies”?'

'I've heard it,' Rebus stated, 'but I know better than to believe it.'

Having said which, he picked up his bag and preceded Stone back along the corridor towards the exit.

Tou've known Cafferty a long time,' Stone said.

'Nigh on twenty years.'

Tou first gave evidence against him in Glasgow High Court.'

'That's right. Bloody lawyer got me mixed up with the previous witness, called me “Mr Stroman”. After that, Cafferty's nickname for me was Strawman.'

'Like in The Wizard ofOzT 'Have I managed to tell you something that wasn't in your files?'

You have, as a matter of fact.'

'Nice to know I still have the odd trick up my sleeve.'

'I get the feeling you're not going to let him go.'

'Cafferty?' Rebus watched as Stone nodded.

'Or maybe you've readied DS Clarke to enter the fray on your

behalf.' Stone waited for a response, but Rebus didn't seem to have one. 'Now you're leaving the force, you reckon that leaves a gap that'll never be filled?'

'I'm not quite that conceited.'

'Maybe the same's true of Cafferty – when he pegs it, the vacancy won't stay open for long. Plenty small-timers out there, young and lean and hungry…'

'Not my problem,' Rebus said.

'Then the only thing spoiling your party is Cafferty himself.'

They had reached the main doors of the hospital. Rebus had his phone in his hand, readying to call for a cab.

Tou really going to wait with me?' he asked.

'Nothing better to do,' Stone answered. 'But that offer of a lift still stands. This time of night, taxis are bound to be thin on the ground.'

It took Rebus half a minute to decide. Having nodded his agreement, he reached into the bag, pulling out the bottle of Speyside…

Monday 27 November 2006

Epilogue

There was a row of taxi-cabs parked outside Haymarket railway station, but Rebus managed to squeeze his Saab into a space next to them. He sounded the horn and rolled down the window. There were two uniformed officers standing by the station's exit doors.

Monday morning, the day crisp and bright. The constables wore padded black jackets over their stab vests. They paid Rebus no heed whatsoever as he sounded the horn again. But then a parking warden homed in, having noted the double yellow line alongside the Saab. This drew the officers' attention. One of them said something to his companion and wandered over.

'I'll deal with this,' he told the warden, before crouching down so that his head was level with the window.

'I don't suppose I can call you DI Rebus any more?' Todd Goodyear said.

'Not any more,' Rebus agreed.

'Sonia and me both enjoyed the party, if not the hangovers.'

'Didn't actually notice you drinking, Todd. I mean, you had a drink in your hand, but it never quite made it as far as your lips.'

'You don't miss much,' Goodyear conceded with a smile.

'Actually, son, I miss all sorts of things.'

'CID for one?' Goodyear guessed.

'Not quite what I was thinking of.' Rebus peered over Goodyear's shoulder towards the young man's colleague. 'Any chance I could borrow you for half an hour?'

Goodyear looked puzzled. 'What for?'

'Something I want to talk to you about.'

'I'm on duty.'

'I know.' But Rebus didn't look as if he'd take no for an answer.

Goodyear straightened up, went and spoke to the other officer, then returned to the car, removing his cap before climbing into the passenger seat.

'Do you miss it?' Rebus asked.

Tou mean CID? It was… interesting.'

'I enjoyed my little chat with Sonia at the Ox.'

'She's great.'

'I can see that.' Rebus paused as he manoeuvred the car out of its space and into the traffic.

'Where are we headed?'

'Have you heard about Andropov?' Rebus asked, ignoring the question. 'He's being sent home as an “undesirable”. I got that from Siobhan yesterday – she was in work, giving Stuart Janney the chance to confess. The girl never switches off… tells me Stahov turns out to be one of the good guys. He'd been keeping a close eye on Andropov, didn't want him “infecting” Scotland like he'd done Russia. Stahov was liaising with Stone…' Rebus paused. 'But then you never knew DI Stone, did you?' He watched Goodyear shake his head. 'He was the one who was watching Cafferty.'

'Okay.' Goodyear still seemed puzzled.

'Andropov,' Rebus went on, 'will face corruption charges in Moscow. He was planning on claiming political asylum, if you can credit that. Using all his useful contacts as referees. Might be true, of course – maybe his life is in danger back in Russia.' Rebus sniffed loudly. 'Not our problem, though.'

'Where are we headed?' Goodyear asked again. Again, Rebus ignored him.

'Know what I did yesterday, while Siobhan was grafting? Went to Oxgangs and watched them demolish a couple of tower blocks.

I could remember making a few arrests there down the years, but not the exact details. Guess that really does mean my time's past, Todd. There's a story in the paper this morning that more English voters than Scots think we should go independent.' Rebus turned his head towards his passenger. 'Makes you think, eh?'

'Makes me think you've yet to sober up from Saturday.'