Quintin Jardine - Skinner Skinner 07

by Skinner's Ghosts (pdf)

  'Confession rather than warning, I think,' said Proud, sadly now.

  'Tell me, Bob, why? What did you see in this lass?'

  Skinner sat in one of the Chief's big armchairs. 'Have you ever been lonely, Jimmy?' he asked, then continued, without waiting for an answer. 'Well I have. For about fifteen years, after Myra was killed, I had this big, cold streak inside me. I brought up my daughter, I did my job as hard and as best I could, I socialised with the lads. But always it was there - that big, cold lump that set me apart from the rest.

  'I know now what it was. It's cal ed bereavement, and all widowed people carry it around inside them. Some have faith that helps them to handle it, that even lets them draw strength from it. But I lost my wife young, and I never came to terms with the fact. At least not until Sarah came along. When I met her, that coldness began to disappear, until at last, it was gone altogether, and I was really happy again, after half a lifetime.'

  41

  He leaned back in the chair. 'Then, out of the blue, it seemed, things went pear-shaped between the two of us, very suddenly and completely unexpectedly. I'd just assumed that we'd be happy ever after.

  'It doesn't matter whose fault it was, whether I was wrong or whether she was, or whether, as is most likely, we both were. We had just lost the way. We were broken asunder. And with that, and no doubt with my uncovering the circumstances ofMyra's death as well, that big, cold beast of bereavement was back with me.'

  He looked up at Proud. 'Loneliness is the only thing in life that really scares me. Jimmy. The prospect of it makes me crazy.

  'Fortuitous or whatever, Pam was there for me when I needed her most, to help me fight off my fear. I believe that everything I've done since then has been proper, except that I chose to be secretive about it. I should have told my family, I should have come clean with Sarah when I saw her in May, and I should have taken you into my confidence.

  'For al of that, I apologise to you.' He stopped.

  'First time in my life I've ever had to say that to you, and it'll be the last. Like Pam said to me, it's a bugger when you discover you ain't the person you thought you were.'

  The gruff old Chief Constable stood over him. 'Apology accepted, son,' he said, and sat down, facing Skinner. 'Don't be too hard on yourself.

  'Now' he muttered, grimly, 'what are we going to do about this bloody man Salmon?'

  'That's the point at which I have to leave you to make your own decisions, sir. If nothing else, I have caused embarrassment to the force. It's for you to determine your course of action without input from me. That's why I've brought Royston with me.

  'He'll brief you on the questions that are likely to come up, and advise you on the shape of your responses. The content is up to you.

  If you want to suspend me forthwith, I'l respect that and make no public reaction myself.'

  'Hah!' the Chief roared. 'Suspend you! Do you think I'd let a wipearse like Salmon, and his paper, deprive this city of its finest police officer? I'm going to stand by you, just as you've always stood by everyone under your command.'

  The silver-haired Sir James paused, and his expression became serious once more. 'There is one thing, though, of which we should both be conscious. We have a new government in power, elected on the crest of a wave of concern about probity in public life. Its party members are in the ruling majority on the Joint Police Board.

  'The one area in this job where I'm still ahead of you, Bob, is in the politics of it. For you they don't exist, but believe me, they do. I 42

  can hold the Chair of the Board in line, but some of the members, as you've seen for yourself, are unpredictable. A few are downright anti-polis! We even know of a couple with criminal records.'

  Proud rose, walked over to Skinner and laid a hand on his shoulder.

  'I have friends in the Scottish media that even you don't know about.

  Most of the press won't run with this story. Unless, that is, the Board gives them no option. I'll do my best on that score, I promise.

  'Now, let's see what advice Master Royston has to give me.'

  43

  13

  There was a long silence at the other end of the line. 'Let me get this straight,' said Sarah at last, her New York tones more drawn-out than ever. 'You're telling me that you're having an affair, and that because of it, our lives, our child, and the state of our marriage are going to be all over the gutter press.'

  'I can't soften it, love,' said Bob. 'That's what's happened.'

  'This woman, the Pamela creature. Were you screwing her before you visited with Jazz and me in May?'

  'Yes. I'm sorry: I should have told you back then.'

  A snort bounced off the satellite, and crossed the Atlantic. 'Oh no you shouldn't! With my folks around, while you were under their roof! That would not have been the time to tell me I'd been traded in for a younger model.'

  'Pam's older, actually,' said Bob, automatically, cursing himself at once. 'Oh darlin', I'm sorry. Listen it's not like that. My world was upside-down at the time. I'm not making excuses, but it just happened.'

  'What?' There was a hitch in Sarah's voice, the sound of a suppressed sob. 'You just fell in love with another woman, with the ink barely dry on our separation?'

  'No!' he protested. 'Listen . ..'

  'Shut up for a minute, Bob, please. Let me get my head round this a piece at a time.' She paused, and he could hear her fight to calm her breathing, to calm herself.

  'That explains the phone call, anyway,' she said finally, in an even tone.

  'What phone cal ?'

  'This afternoon. I had a cal from a guy in Scotland. He said his name was Salmon. He said that he was researching for a series on your career, and that he needed medical background on some of your investigations. He asked if he could come to Buffalo to visit me.

  'I thought it was a little odd, but I said okay, if he was prepared to pay the air fare, then I was prepared to see him next Tuesday. I take it that. . .'

  'Yes,' muttered Bob, grimly. 'He's the shit who broke the story.'

  44

  'And he expects still to be alive next Tuesday,' Sarah responded, with a faint hint of mockery.

  'Andy was going to lock him up. The trouble was he hadn't broken any laws. Pam may be able to sue him, but that's it.'

  'Pam may be able . . .! What, you mean she isn't a man-grabbing little opportunist?' Her voice rose once more.

  'No,' said her husband quietly. 'She isn't.'

  'Okay,' said Sarah, more calmly. 'I'm sorry. I shouldn't have got down to that level. What does this man Salmon want?'

  'Some photos of the wronged wife and baby, I guess. Plus confirmation from you that I'm a shit and that you can't wait to divorce me.'

  'None of that sounds too tough,' said Sarah.

  'So you'll see him?'

  There was another snort, with a laugh in it this time. 'Like hell I wil ! Do you think for one moment that I'd involve myself, or my baby, with a rag like that? I've seen the US Spotlight, and I can think of half-a-dozen congressmen who've trying to have it banned. If you can get word to this guy, let him know that if he sets foot on my dad's doorstep, he'l have him arrested. And in this city, my dad could probably do that!'

  'I'l have Royston pass that message on,' said Bob.

  'Sarah,' he went on, strangely hesitant. 'I have to ask you this. Do you intend to divorce me?'

  He heard her gasp slightly. She was silent for several expensive transatlantic seconds, until final y she responded, very quietly. 'Do you want me to?'

  'I've no right to expect otherwise.'

  'But is it what you want?'

  This time it was Bob's turn to fall silent. 'No,' he said, at last.

  'Ask me now and the answer's no.'

  'Do you and Pamela love each other? Like does she want to have your babies?'

  Another pause. 'No. I don't think we do. I don't think she does.

  We've avoided discussing anything so heavy.'

  'Then get yourselv
es sorted out. I'l give you three months. If, after that, you're no longer involved with this woman, and you tell me that you love me and want me back, I'l decide how I feel. If you can't make me believe all that, I'll know it's over.'

  'Don't we have to say those things to each other?' he asked.

  She chuckled, and in his mind's eye he could see her shake her head. 'Not from where I'm standing, we don't.'

  The big policeman, alone in his sitting room, heaved a sigh and nodded. 'Okay. That's how it'll be.

  'Before I hang up, can I speak to Jazz.'

  45

  'He's out with Granddad, I'm afraid.'

  'Okay.' He was about to say goodbye, when something struck him.

  'Sarah, one thing you should look out for. This bastard Salmon isn't going to like it when we blow him out. Be careful that he doesn't try any Candid Camera stuff on you.'

  'Okay, but how could he?'

  'Well...' Skinner gulped, and took the plunge. 'If you were seeing anyone, however innocently...'

  'As opposed to guiltily, you mean?'

  'Aye, okay . . .' he grunted.

  There was a pause at the other end of the line. 'Well ... I have had a few dinner dates with a single guy around my own age, on the medical staff at my hospital. Dinner dates, though, that's all.'

  He felt a tug in the pit of his stomach. 'So you haven't. . .'

  'No I have not!' she cried. 'Sure, the thought has crossed my mind: I'm as human as you, but maybe just a bit more restrained. The invitation's been extended, too, in a very gentlemanly, diplomatic fashion. Til now, I've thanked him, but declined, as a lady should.

  After this, though, you can work out for yourself how I'm likely to respond.

  'However, my dear, there's one thing that I will promise you.'

  'What's that?'

  'When I do decide to let Terry and me enjoy the good honest Tuck to which he's probably entitled, and which I undoubtedly deserve, I'l make bloody sure that the drapes are drawn tight!'

  The sound of a phone being slammed down crashed in his ear.

  46

  14

  Skinner sat on the edge of the couch in the curtained living room in Gullane, drawing listlessly on a bottle of Beck's. It was just after ten thirty.

  'Sarah gave you a hard time, did she?' asked Pamela. 'Come on, tell me about it. You've been silent as the grave on the subject.' It was true. Skinner had eaten before picking her up from the Leith apartment, principally to allow him to recover from his conversation with his wife.

  As they had driven to East Lothian - having decided to ignore any paparazzi who might be on their trail next day - he had told her of his instruction of Mitchell Laidlaw, and of his conversation with the Chief Constable. From the cottage, he had made phone calls to Royston, and toAlex to confirm that both the force and the solicitor's spokeswoman had been bombarded with press enquiries since the Spotlight story had broken.

  But he had said nothing at al until then of his telephone cal to Sarah, or other reaction. 'What is it?' asked Pamela once more. 'Has she asked for a divorce?'

  He took another swig of his beer. 'She's stopped short of that, but let's say she's reserved her position.'

  'Did you ask her if she has someone else?'

  Pamela's eagerness irked him. 'Yes. And she has. Platonic so far, but I've driven her into his bed, I'm sure.'

  'What makes you think that?'

  'Christ, she more or less told me so! Anyway, you've been in her place. How did you react when you found out about David?'

  She pouted. 'Just hold on! David was living with me when he had his affairs, so the situation isn't the same. I certainly didn't respond in kind: not for a while, at least. It was almost two years before I fancied anyone else.

  'We're dodging an issue though. If you're jealous of Sarah's new man, real or not, I don't like that. In fact you can either get over it, or do without me. Which would you prefer?'

  Bob laid the beer on the floor and took her by the hand. 'Calm down, Pammy. It's just that I'm an old Presbyterian at heart. I'l get over it.'

  47

  'Take me to bed, then,' she said, teasingly, reaching for the buttons of his shirt.

  'I might consider it,' he said, managing a weak smile, but feeling a pang of doubt inside. Just in time the ring of the telephone took him off the hook.

  'Sod it,' he said, reaching across to pick it up.

  'Good evening, Mr Skinner,' said a smug voice, raised slightly over a background of conversation. 'I hope you enjoy your weekend reading. If you switch on the telly at eleven o'clock, I think you'll find that Sky News give you a good show too.'

  'Salmon, you little cunt,' the policeman snarled. 'How did you get this number?'

  'I have friends. Despite what your lawyer said, I felt I had to give you the chance of coming clean for my readers. Can they expect your resignation within the week?'

  'You can expect my hand on your col ar, you slimy wee toad,'

  Skinner exploded. 'Plus, we're going to sue you til your fucking eyes pop. You can forget going to see my wife too. She has nothing to say to you, and if you push your luck over there, I have friends in the FBI who'l slam you right inside.'

  'Nice one, Bob,' said Salmon, with a disturbingly calm assurance.

  'I've got that al noted down, and, it'l read well in next week's Spotlight. You and Pamela have a nice night, now. But think on this: I haven't finished with you yet - not by a long way.'

  As the cal ended. Skinner hurled the phone across the room, tearing the flex from its socket and smashing it against the wal . He turned to Pam, who sat shocked and drawn. 'He got my number!' he said, incredulously. 'I'm on the MI5 network, yet he got my ex-directory number. Some shit sold it to him.'

  She stood up and held him to her, feeling him tremble with rage.

  'Control yourself, love,' she said. 'Every point that nasty little man adds to your blood pressure is a victory for him. Remember the rule.

  Don't get mad, get even.'

  He shook his head. 'I've never been any good at that. Some guys, like Andy, can count up to ten, and by the time they get there they've cooled down. I've never made it past three.' Nevertheless, his breathing did begin to steady as she drew his face down to hers and kissed him, and as she stroked his hair.

  'That's better,' she whispered, with a smile. 'Forget Salmon, and come with me. Come on. I drew the curtains earlier, but we'll keep the light out as well, just to be safe!'

  Gradual y his expression softened, until finally he allowed himself to be led through to the bedroom. Slowly she undressed him in the dark, peeling off her own clothes more quickly, and climbing on top of him as he lay on the duvet. He felt her tongue in his mouth, 48

  flicking, seeking his; then it moved, as she did. He felt it lick its way along his chest, playing lightly with its curly hairs; felt her lips move on him kissing, puckering, felt himself growing huge as she made her steady way down, until. . .

  The only functional telephone in the cottage seemed to scream at the night a few feet from his ear. 'No!' It was Pam's turn to shout her frustration. 'If that's him again . ..'

  'Then he's a goner,' said Skinner, quite seriously.

  He picked up the phone. 'Now listen, you,' he began in a deadly tone.

  'Good evening, Mr Skinner.'The voice cut across his: not Salmon, another man; a quiet, even and control ed tone, without accent.

  'Who . . .'

  'I have the child. He is alive, but at my disposition. You wil hear from me again.'

  For the second time that evening a phone line went dead, leaving Skinner staring ahead into darkness.

  49

  15

  'British Telecom couldn't help, then, Andy, I take it?'

  Martin shook his head. He and Skinner sat grim-faced at the kitchen table in the cottage, china mugs of coffee steaming before them. It was twenty-five minutes past midnight, and the Head of CID had just arrived from Edinburgh, leaving Alex alone in the Haymarket flat.

  From t
he living room, the faint sound of the television carried through, as Pamela watched, for the fourth or fifth time, a video of the carefully worded Sky News precis of Noel Salmon's Spotlight exclusive.

  'They did their best, of course, Bob, but without exceptional luck

  - such as the guy forgetting to disable 1471 - or advance warning, there wasn't much chance that they'd be able to trace the origin of the call.'

  Skinner grunted. 'Come on, Andy, d'you think that I didn't try the automatic number trace? "You were cal ed today at . . .",' he mimicked. ' "The cal er withheld his number." '

  Martin glanced at him. 'Maybe he used a payphone. Did you hear coins drop?'

  'No, but that's not a give-away any more. They did away with

  "Press button A" years ago, on most of them.'

  The younger man raised an eyebrow. 'Hey, maybe he used a credit card.'

  Skinner glowered across the table. 'Andy, son, I know it's past midnight, and that we're clutching at some very short straws, but really. . .'

  Martin sipped his coffee. 'Miracles happen.'

  'No they bloody don't!' Skinner slapped the table, gently.

  'Look, it's been a mind-fucker of a night, but let's get a grip of ourselves and start thinking and acting like the serious coppers we are.

  'I asked you out here so that the two of us could have a brainstorm, before we call in the Cavalry, so let's get on with it.'

  'Can I join in too?' asked Pamela from the doorway. 'Or is this for General Staff only.'

  Bob grinned at her, as she leaned against the jamb wearing a 50

  teeshirt and his long towelling bathrobe. 'Aye, come on in Sergeant, even though you're out of uniform.'

  She looked at him in football top and shorts, then at Martin, in denims, raised her eyebrows in a gesture which said 'Oh yes?', then joined them at the table.

  'Right,' said Skinner. 'There are all sorts of potential implications which we can draw from this call. Let's see if we can nail them all down.'

  'A question first, surely,' Pamela interrupted. 'Was the call genuine? Could it have been a crank?'

  'That's possible. But if it was a crank, bear in mind that the cal was made to an ex-directory number. That means that the perpetrator is either one of my inner circle, with access to that number, or he's gone to some trouble, and possibly some risk, to get it.