‘He’s gone.’
‘The bastard … ’
‘Not like that … I don’t think so anyway.’ She sniffed. ‘I mean, I don’t really know. He’s disappeared. It’s been two days.’
‘And things were all right at home?’
‘No worse than usual.’
‘But you don’t think he’s just – I don’t know – maybe gone on a bender somewhere?’
‘He’s not like that.’
‘You’ve reported him missing?’
‘They’re sending someone to talk to me.’
‘They probably told you two days isn’t long?’
‘Yes. But his phone just goes to voicemail.’
‘And he didn’t pack a bag or anything?’
‘No. We’ve got a joint bank account – I looked online and he’s not bought anything or taken money out. His car was left in the lay-by near the church.’
Rebus knew where she meant – a five-minute walk from their home. He had parked there himself once to take in the view. Samantha lived on the edge of the village of Naver, on the wild north coast eight miles east of Tongue. The wind had rocked Rebus’s car as he’d sat in it.
‘Problems at work?’ he asked. ‘Money troubles?’
‘He knew I’d been seeing someone,’ she blurted out.
‘Right,’ Rebus said.
‘But that’s over and done with. It’s not why he left – I’m sure it’s not. He’d have taken his things. The key was still in the ignition … Parked so close to the house … it doesn’t make any sense. Does it make sense to you? I’m just … I’ve been awake all night going over it again and again, and I’m scared the police will think I had something to do with it.’
Rebus was quiet for a moment. ‘Why would they think that, Samantha?’
‘Because everyone here knows we were going through a rough patch. And they know about me and Jess.’
‘He’s the guy you were seeing? Did Keith ever square up to him?’
‘I don’t know. But this can’t have anything to do with Jess. It really can’t.’
‘Most likely outcome is that Keith will turn up – I’m speaking from experience here.’
‘I’ve got such a bad feeling, Dad.’
‘I can be there before lunchtime. What time are they coming to talk to you?’
‘They didn’t say.’ She took a deep breath. ‘I’ve got to get Carrie to school, I told them that.’
‘It’s going to be okay, Sammy, I promise.’ Sammy: his name for her until she’d decided she was too grown-up for it. For once, she didn’t correct him.
‘Thank you,’ she said instead, so quietly he almost didn’t catch it.
Day One
1
Siobhan Clarke woke to a text from Rebus. She decided it could wait until she’d made coffee. It was just gone seven and Graham Sutherland had already gone. She wondered if she should be unnerved by his ninja-like ability to dress and depart without her noticing.
‘Could have made me a drink, though … ’
She tramped back to her bedroom, still in her pyjamas, mug cupped in both hands. Placed it on the bedside table and lifted her phone, swiping it awake.
Big favour. Look after Brillo today. Key under half-brick next to front door. Talk later.
‘The hell?’ Clarke seated herself on the edge of the still-warm bed and made the call.
‘I’m driving,’ Rebus warned her. ‘Don’t want to get a ticket.’ His old Saab had no hands-free option. She could hear the engine churning.
‘Where’s the fire?’
‘Samantha. Her partner’s gone AWOL.’
‘You’re driving to Tongue?’
‘Not quite – they moved to the next village along a couple of years back.’
‘And you reckon your rust bucket’s up to the job?’
‘I almost asked to borrow yours.’
‘Why didn’t you?’
‘It was five o’clock. I wasn’t sure you’d have thanked me.’
‘I’d also have held you back with a few questions.’
‘That too. Brillo doesn’t need much looking after – a bit of a walk and you can leave him to his own devices while you go beg for a place on the MIT.’
‘You don’t want me unpacking for you?’
‘It’s all done.’
‘Liar.’
‘Don’t you go rummaging through my stuff without my say-so.’
‘You reckon you’ll only be away for the day?’
‘Mispers, Shiv – they almost always turn up eventually.’
‘Where are you now?’
‘Just south of Pitlochry.’
‘On the dreaded A9?’ She paused. ‘Is Samantha all right?’
‘Would you be?’
‘How long’s he been gone?’
‘Two days, one night.’
‘Suicide risk?’
‘Not overly.’
‘Oh?’ Clarke tipped the mug to her mouth.
‘Samantha says she was seeing someone else.’
‘Ah.’
‘He didn’t pack a bag; car left near the house; hasn’t used his debit card.’
‘Maybe trying to give her a fright?’
‘In which case he’ll be getting a slap.’
‘From her or from you?’
‘Let’s catch up later. You know where Brillo’s stuff is.’
‘I did until you rearranged the kitchen.’
‘Always good to have a challenge, Shiv.’
In the time she took to shape her reply, Rebus had ended the call.
It was just after ten by the time she reached the MIT office. The room was buzzing with activity, Graham Sutherland leaning over Christine Esson’s desk as she explained to him whatever was on her computer screen. When he spotted Clarke, Sutherland broke off the conversation and sauntered in her direction.