‘You've checked out the address?'
`Yes, sir,' said Maggie Rose. 'It's a one-bedroom flat on the top floor. She's on the board at the door — and you won't believe what her surname is.'
`Try me,' said Skinner.
`Virtue.'
He grinned. 'What's so odd about that? I 'know at least two traffic wardens called Good!'
The Fettes Avenue building wore the quiet feel of evening. Skinner, Rose and Martin sat in the detective superintendent's office.
Did you have a look at the place?'
`Yes, for a while,' said Martin. 'No sign of movement.'
`Okay, let's pay the lady a call, and see if she's got a house guest. I want it done by the book. Maggie, dig up a Sheriff and get a proper search warrant, in case it's needed. Take someone else with you when you go, a bit of extra muscle in case he is there and doesn't feel like being reasonable. Big McIlhenney’s' wife can always use the overtime pay. Take him.'
Rose nodded. 'Yes, sir, I'll tell him. Aren't you coming though?'
Skinner smiled. 'Maggie, I'm a family man again, and I’ve missed too many of my small son's bathtimes lately. I intend to spend my evenings at home from now on, whenever I can.
Privileges of rank, and all that, as both of you will find out some day.'
`Does that mean,' asked Martin, with a show of innocence, `that if we nick Ainscow we don't phone to tell you, but wait till you come in tomorrow?'
`No, son, if that happens, you phone me, but if Sarah answers you'd better disguise your voice!'
`What do I put down as the purpose of the search warrant?' asked Rose.
`Investigation of a conspiracy to import controlled substances. It's all we've got that's solid enough. Although, maybe — ' Skinner paused. 'No, forget it. That's enough, lets us nick him. Once we've done that, we'll just have to catch our man and persuade him to talk, to make it stand up in court.'
`When do we go in?' asked Martin.
`Normally you'd say dawn, wouldn't you. But this time let's make it late evening. Let them get settled down for the night, then go up and thump the door. Say eleven o'clock. If Ainscow's there, it'll be all the easier if his pants are hanging over the bedroom chair!'