SIOBHAN I don’t believe you really remembered that.
REBUS (showing her) Here’s the file, look.
SIOBHAN John, I’ve got a live case, now. I can’t even think about some cold case no-one remembers but you. (checks herself) Sorry, Sorry. I haven’t slept. The case is water tight... but now the defence is saying they need more days on the trial schedule, more evidence to present. And I can only guess what it is...
REBUS Well, you know how it works. You show yours but they never show theirs.
SIOBHAN Even if they do want to drag in forensics from that assault case, it’s convoluted, it’s not enough to put up against what we’ve got. They must have something more. They must have a witness to that attack on Cafferty.
REBUS Something like that, aye.
SIOBHAN catches his tone.
SIOBHAN Which is my problem. Not yours! John? Promise me.
REBUS Different world back then D.I. Clarke. You might not know the right stones to turn over.
SIOBHAN You think I haven’t been paying attention these last twenty-five years? Listen to me. Are you listening? Do not phone Cafferty. Promise me!
REBUS Why would I talk to him?
SIOBHAN Because you can’t stand not knowing what’s going on. Do not phone him. Do you hear me?
REBUS I hear you.
SIOBHAN Good.
She leaves. REBUS picks up his phone and dials. It connects. Answer machine.
REBUS Cafferty? It’s me. Phone me.
He cuts the call. He looks at the file in his hand. MAGGIE walks out of the shadows.
MAGGIE Maggie Towler. Seventeen years old. Seventeen years dead. Are you going to do right by me now John? What’s the hold up? I’ve been waiting since 2001.
REBUS (the file) Aye... Aye, I need to chase this up...
MAGGIE Oh don’t make me laugh. You don’t care. I’m just a distraction.
REBUS I’m going to hunt this down. I don’t forget. I never forget.
ANGELA is on, watching him.
ANGELA Aren’t you forgetting me?
REBUS Siobhan’s got you, Angela. She has. (trying to convince himself) Siobhan will get justice for you, Angela. So I need to... I need to...
MAGGIE What?
REBUS Keep moving. Sort this out. Come on Rebus. (to MAGGIE) I’ll do better for you now Maggie. Promise.
The young women stand looking at him for another beat, then they’re gone again. REBUS snatches up car keys and hurries out of the flat.
Stairwell Jackdaw pub
REBUS is climbing up as a BARMAN is carrying boxes of booze down the steps, struggling. REBUS is in his way.
BARMAN Help you?
REBUS You alright there?
BARMAN Fuck no.
REBUS helps him, grabbing the top box as the barman nearly drops the lot, dumping them on the steps.
BARMAN (breathless) Thanks.
REBUS No bother.
BARMAN See what it is, I always used to be able to carry three. So I just keep doing it. I’m no ready to say I’m not fit to carry three boxes. Do you think the booze is getting heavier? Is that it?
REBUS Could be.
BARMAN It might be. It’s all the sugary shite they drink now. I’m sure it’s got to weigh more. It’s like treacle half of it.
REBUS You’ve been here since it was a pub?
BARMAN Aye. Jackdaw pub. Still got the name. Still got me. Everything else has gone to shite. This used to be a real dockers’ pub.
REBUS No more dockers.
BARMAN Extinct. Nothing but bankers, wankers and dockside redevelopment.
REBUS That didny really take did it?
BARMAN No round here. This place is still a dive, just got less smoke in it and louder music. I should sue the fuckers for industrial injury. See the way my heid pounds at the end of a Saturday night?
REBUS You still work behind the bar?
BARMAN Still do everything.
REBUS Still got regulars?
BARMAN Oh you see the same scabby wee faces...
REBUS Don’t remember me though eh?
BARMAN You used to come in here?
REBUS Aye, a fair bit.
BARMAN If you say so.
REBUS (the box) Help you down with this?
BARMAN After you.
They move down with the boxes. REBUS still talking.
REBUS Don’t know that I’ve been in here this century mind you. Aye I have. You used to have a big screen tv in the bar there eh?
BARMAN Aye.
REBUS Aye that was it, January 2001. Raith Rovers got unlucky against Stirling Albion, terrible match...
BARMAN That was on the big screen?
REBUS (ignoring that)... That was no long before that poor lassie was killed here eh? Maggie Towler.
BARMAN She wasny killed here.
REBUS But she was drinking here that night eh? Only seventeen. Makes you think.
BARMAN And she wouldny get in now. Is that what you’re getting at? You police eh? We check ID. On the door. So if you’re wanting to make issues about our license...
REBUS Nothing like that. I’m no police.
BARMAN Aye you are.
REBUS Retired.