CHARLIE Mebbe when I was working down there but...
REBUS (cutting in) Working down there? Doing what?
CHARLIE Rebus, what do you think I do?
REBUS Five to ten for aggravated burglary usually.
CHARLIE (dignity) I have a trade. I am a craftsman.
REBUS Is that right?
CHARLIE (handing him a card) I am a signed — up member of the Federation of Master Builders. Any home improvement, I’m your man.
REBUS You do extensions and loft conversions and all that?
CHARLIE My speciality.
REBUS Right enough, great way to case the better quality home.
CHARLIE Fuck yo, Rebus.
REBUS That what you were doing in Newhaven?
CHARLIE I don’t need to talk to you.
REBUS So you keep saying.
CHARLIE I was nothing but legit then. Didny need to worry about money, building never stopped then.
REBUS You worked on the flats down there?
CHARLIE You could name your price. They were throwing those flats up so fast...
REBUS Happy days eh?
CHARLIE They didn’t use marine grade on one single fixture or fitting. Not one. That sea wind has turned every block into a subsiding monster leaking rust from every hole.
REBUS So you were working there when that lassie got strangled.
CHARLIE Maggie Towler. Aye. I knew her.
REBUS You knew her?
CHARLIE Just to look at. She was a looker, wee Maggie. Know what got her killed?
REBUS Tell me.
CHARLIE Shagging above her pay grade.
REBUS Go on.
CHARLIE That’s it. Word was she was having a flingette with one of the developers.
REBUS The property developers?
CHARLIE That’s right.
REBUS Name?
CHARLIE I don’t know that! If I’d known that I’d’ve told you lot at the time. That was horrible what that monster did to wee Maggie.
REBUS So how did you know about it?
CHARLIE Must have heard someone talking about it on the site.
REBUS Who?
CHARLIE I don’t know! Half of them were Polish anyway.
REBUS What was the name of the property company?
CHARLIE thinks for a moment.
CHARLIE Weston? No, that’s no right. It began with an...
REBUS takes out a note and hands it to him.
REBUS When it comes to you, phone me.
CHARLIE Why would I do that?
REBUS There’s another of those coming to you if you give me the name.
CHARLIE Google it.
REBUS snatches the note back.
REBUS Fuck, you’re right. Thanks Charlie.
REBUS is on the move. CHARLIE shouts after him.
CHARLIE You tight bastard! I’m glad Ger Cafferty’s going to fuck you over!
REBUS is right back on him. He grabs his hand, hard.
REBUS What’s that?
CHARLIE Nothing.
REBUS Charlie, don’t make me hurt these skilled craftsman’s fingers.
CHARLIE (agony) Fuck off you bastard! You’ll get us both barred!
REBUS Then stop screaming. What was that about Big Ger?
CHARLIE He said he was going to fuck you over.
REBUS He’s been saying that for thirty years. Said it to who?
CHARLIE I might have heard him.
REBUS Where was this?
CHARLIE I was just lifting a motor he wanted shifted...
REBUS When?
CHARLIE Couple of months back mebbe... end of last year? I don’t fucking know, you bastard! Let go!
REBUS Know what you are? A wee dug trying to borrow a big dog’s bark. Cafferty wouldn’t lift his leg to piss on you.
REBUS lets CHARLIE go and walks out onto—
Stairwell, Arden Street
At the foot of the stairs REBUS takes out his phone and punches the number. It’s answered almost at once.
REBUS Cafferty, need to have a word...
He stops abruptly as, voiced by MAGGIE, we hear what he hears.
PHONE The number you’ve dialled has not been recognised. The number you’ve dialled has not been recognised.
REBUS stares at it, checking the number. Then he cuts the call and slowly climbs the stairs. ANDY is coming down. He checks when he sees REBUS.
REBUS Where’s your friend?
ANDY What do you want?
REBUS I need to talk to her, it’s about her mother. I need her number. Come on. Your pal, Heather Ross.
ANDY Who?
REBUS Oh don’t play games with me son.
ANDY tries to pass him. REBUS blocks him.
ANDY Fuck off! I’m warning you...
REBUS What you going to do? Call the police? You’ll no do that will you Andy?
ANDY I said fuck off!