The pair of them shared a look. Then Hacker gave Danielle a small nod. As if he was granting permission.
‘She wanted to ask about DI Ding-Dong Bell. Same as you did.’
The tank went on gurgling.
Outside, a van did a six-point turn, bleeping every time it reversed.
For goodness’ sake. Logan gritted his teeth. ‘This would go much quicker if I wasn’t having to play dentist, here.’
Hacker sighed. Made an ‘after you’ gesture with one hand. ‘It’s OK, Danners.’
‘She was flapping her top lip about how Ding-Dong was running round the countryside, acting all Batman and Robin. Course we tried to tell her she was off her head — Ding-Dong died ages ago. I was at his funeral, so were Andy and Ray. But she wasn’t having any of it. Got a bit rowdy, so Andy and I had to... calm her down a bit.’ Danielle shook her head. ‘Of course, the next day it’s all over the news that DI Bell’s turned up stabbed to death in a crashed car, but we weren’t to know that, were we? Lorna...’ A small smile, then Danielle cleared her throat. ‘Chalmers sounded insane at the time.’
Tufty pointed at the tank. ‘Angelfish breed for life. They’re like albatrosses, or my Great Aunt Effie. Once their mate dies, that’s it — might as well not even have genitals.’
She glowered at him. ‘Will you shut up about fish?
‘Sorry. I was wondering about fidelity: what with you guys specialising in cheating-spouse cases and DS Chalmers’ husband being at it with someone from work?’
‘You want to know if she was a client? Pff... We can’t confirm or deny that without a warrant. Data protection. Isn’t that right, Guv?’
Hacker nodded.
Funny how people like that were so keen on the law when it suited them.
The seat creaked beneath Logan as he turned to Hacker. ‘What else did Chalmers want?’
‘She thought Ding-Dong was caught up with these so-called “Livestock Marts”.’
‘And was he?’
‘If they even exist. Bunch of sketchy paedophiles getting together to sell-on abducted kids? Been hearing rumours ever since I joined the Job, but...’ Hacker shrugged. ‘Don’t know if I believe it. I mean, if you’re that kinda guy, why take the risk?’
Interesting.
Sometimes, what wasn’t said was more telling than what was.
‘You didn’t answer the question.’
‘Didn’t I?’
‘You work for Sally MacAuley. Her husband was killed trying to stop their son being abducted.’ Logan sat forward, setting the chair creaking again. ‘You know what I think? I think someone was paid a lot of money to snatch Aiden MacAuley. I think killing Kenneth MacAuley made Aiden even more saleable. All that controversy?’
‘No one’s ever proved the Livestock Mart even exists.’
‘Are you saying you’ve been working this case for three years and you never looked into it? Sounds to me as if Sally MacAuley needs to get better private detectives, because you and your useless bunch of idiots are taking her money and doing sod-all.’
Pink flushed up Hacker’s neck, darkening his cheeks. ‘We are doing everything possible!’
‘You’re ripping her off!’
He shoved himself upright, looming over the desk. ‘We will get Aiden back!’
‘Oh, I’m sure the three of you are great at taking bribes, nicking stuff, and beating up motorists, but actual detecting?’ Laying it on thick.
‘What do you bloody know? Three years and you haven’t got anywhere near these people, while...’ A light must have flickered on somewhere inside Hacker’s brain because he clamped his mouth shut. Took a deep breath. Lowered himself into his seat again. All calm and collected. ‘I see what you’re doing. Very good.’
‘“Not got anywhere near these people, while” what, Mr Hacker?’
‘When I was a DS, Force Headquarters was awash with stories about the great Detective Sergeant Logan “Lazarus” McRae. How you were the brains behind that wrinkly disaster area Steel. That you solved all those cases, not her...’ Hacker stuck his feet up on his desk, coffee mug held against his chest. ‘After all that, you’d think they’d at least have made you Assistant Chief Constable. But here you are, nothing more than a lowly inspector.’
‘Keeps me humble.’
He toasted Logan with his mug. ‘AberRAD Investigation Services are committed to bringing Aiden MacAuley home to his mother. We haven’t billed her a penny in two years. We — will — bring — him — home.’ A broad smile. ‘Now, if you’ll excuse me: Danielle will see you out. I’ve got work to do.’
Rain spattered up from the drenched tarmac as Danielle held the Portakabin door open for them.
Tufty smiled at her. ‘Thanks.’
‘Keep walking, Skinny Malinky Short Legs.’
Logan dug out one of his Police Scotland business cards. ‘In case you remember anything else.’
‘Oh right. Yes.’ She fluttered her eyelashes at him. Then tore the card up and sprinkled it into the nearest wastepaper basket like seasoning. ‘Now, if you don’t mind — it’s meant to be my day off and I’d like to go home.’ She shooed them out of the door and into the pounding rain. ‘Go on. Away. Sod off.’
As soon as they stepped outside she slammed the door shut and flipped the sign to ‘SORRY, WE’RE CLOSED’.
Logan hurried over to the car, jumping in as soon as Tufty plipped the locks. ‘Urgh.’ Absolutely drenched. Again.
Tufty clambered in behind the wheel. Shuddered. Turned and frowned out of the passenger window. ‘They were... nice.’
Danielle rattled down the blinds, one by one, until there was nothing to see.
‘You know what, Guv? I get the feeling that they didn’t has a truthful.’
Logan clicked on his seatbelt. ‘They discovered something about the Livestock Mart and Chalmers found out about it. Possibly DI Bell too.’
‘Maybe that’s why they were killed?’
‘And if Chalmers can find out, so can we.’
Tufty started the car, driving away from the Portakabins — headlights on, windscreen wipers at max. He drifted to a halt at the junction. ‘Back to the station?’
Maybe there was another way to go about this?
‘If you were Raymond Hacker, and you were getting close, would you tell your client?’
‘Sally MacAuley? Don’t see why not, after all...’ He puckered his lips, eyes narrowed. ‘Actually: no. No, I wouldn’t. You’d be getting her hopes up, wouldn’t you? What happens if it doesn’t pan out? She thinks her son’s coming home, but he isn’t.’
‘True.’ Stilclass="underline" might be worth a try.
Difficult to see how to do it without tipping them off, though.
A white Clio pulled up alongside the pool car, Danielle Smith behind the wheel. She revved the engine a couple of times, giving Logan the cold hard stare. Bared her teeth at him. Then drove off.
Logan watched the Clio disappear into the rain. ‘Is it just me, or would you not trust Hacker and his merry band further than you could spit them?’
‘Nope.’
‘Me neither.’
38
‘Thanks for your help.’ Logan hung up and wrote ‘ARGOS’ next to the number he’d just dialled.
The office was quiet — nobody but him and his phone.
He called the next one on the list.
An over-the-top cheery voice belted out of the earpiece. ‘Sparkles! Your hair is our flair! How may I assist you on the road to your fabulous best today?’
You could dial it down about three notches.