‘I’ll tell you something, Andy,' said Skinner. 'You've only got one fault left as a detective.
You're too open-minded.’
I've got a great team around me. You've all got your own strengths, and together you're unbeatable. But you know, of all of you, the one who thinks most like me is your pal Mcllhenney. He's not nearly as quick a thinker as you, or as analytical, but he's a devious bastard. That's what he and I have got in common.
`He knows when to set logic aside and say "Bugger it, what's the real story here?".
Basically, he's got a criminal mind. I think the best detectives probably have. So you take him on to your personal staff and use him, shamelessly, as your personal sounding board.. along with me, of course.'
It was early evening, and they were in Skinner's hospital room. At the Ward Sister's insistence he had rested for a few hours after returning from his Boardroom meeting. In fact, he had been exhausted, and had not put up a moment's resistance. Now he sat up in bed, connected with the outside world by the mobile phone which he had persuaded Sarah to allow him. It sat on the bedside cabinet.
`So, has Adam finished that check you asked him for?' asked Martin, coming to business at last.
The DCC nodded. 'He called in half an hour ago. There's a report on the shelf, there. Have a look.'
Martin picked up the paper and read through it. He whistled as he finished and put it down. 'Bloody hell,' he said. 'Could we have been heading up the wrong street all the time?'
If you were, I'll take most of the blame. I set it all in motion. I overlooked something pretty obvious. Let's hold our horses, though. That's a coincidence, but it's no greater than your missile engineer in Cumbria having those materials in his workshop. We need a few more pieces in place before we get too ex-' He was interrupted by the harsh tone of his mobile phone. Martin, who was closer to it, reached across, picked it up from its charger and took the call.
`Yes?' he said cautiously. His tone changed at once. 'Of course, sir. Here he is.' He handed the instrument across the bed. 'It's the Secretary of State, calling from the Scottish Office,' he whispered.
`Thanks. Good evening, sir.' Skinner held the receiver to his ear, and listened for a few seconds. 'There's no doubt about that? You're one short?' He paused. 'Oh yes, sir, it's significant. Very significant. All I need now is one more fact to fit, and I think we might have the answer. Yes, I'll keep you in touch. Goodbye.'
He reached across and behind himself and dropped the phone back into its cradle. 'Another piece. Once we hear from our star witness, it could be that we'll have the whole bloody jigsaw. You did bring that tape recorder, didn't you?' Martin nodded, dipped a hand into his pocket, and produced a tiny electric notebook.
`Come on, Maggie, where are you?'
They had been sitting in virtual silence for five minutes, before the door opened and Maggie Rose's red head appeared. `Hello, boss,' she said, with a smile. 'I've brought that witness you asked to see. Come away in,' she said to a figure behind her as she threw the door wide.
Mark McGrath stepped into the room. He was wearing his Police Cadet cap.
`Hello, young man,' said Skinner. 'It's a bit strange seeing me here, isn't it?'
`Yes, Mr Bob. Are you all right now?'
I'm getting there, son, thanks very much. Andy, lift our guest up and let him sit on the bed.'
He pulled himself upright, adjusting the pillows at his back.
`Mark,' he began, 'your Auntie Alison told me, and I think I've probably heard for myself too, that you've got a terrific memory. You remember just about everything you see and hear.'
`That's right,' said the boy, puffing out his chest proudly.
`That's good, because we want you to do some remembering for us. I want you to talk into this wee tape recorder here, and tell us everything about the morning of the accident, from the moment that you and your daddy got ready to leave your house in London, to the moment that you got on the plane. Will you do that?'
The child nodded, solemnly. Martin switched on the recorder. 'Anytime you like, Mark.'
`We were at the flat in Dolphin Square,' he began. 'I had honey-coated Sugar Loops for breakfast. Mummy and Daddy had toast.'
`Can you remember what you all talked about?'
`Mummy and Daddy talked about her going to the dentist. She had lost a big filling the night before and had a 'mergency appointment in the morning. Daddy and I talked about Celtic. Then Victoria… she was Daddy's secretary… arrived, with the Red Box.' He gave the words great weight, as if he were pronouncing the capitals.
And after that?'
After that the buzzer rang. Victoria picked it up and said that it was the Government car to take us to the airport. Then she and Daddy and I all went downstairs. Only it wasn't..