‘Urgh...’ She headed for the riverbank. ‘Ice-cream van’s owner?’
‘Ian Rawlings. DC Barrett and PC MacLauchlan performed CPR till the ambulance got here. It was close, but they think he’ll be OK.’
‘That’s something, at least.’ She aimed a kick at a clump of weeds, clipping the puffy seedhead off a dandelion, making it explode. ‘I take it we’re working on the assumption that Charles MacGarioch survived the crash?’
‘Unless his body washes up further downstream. Assuming he’s not been swept out to sea, of course.’
She sagged some more. ‘Oh youdoknow how to cheer a girl up, don’t you.’
‘We’ve circulated a lookout request.’
Mottled spots of sunlight swirled around them as a breeze caressed the leaves above. Out on the churning river, a confused-looking duck swept past. Someone coughed...
Pine stuck her chin out. ‘I don’t like racist, murdering, arsonous, wee bastards running around on my patch, Logan.’ Then a sigh. ‘I understand your desire to cover for DCI Rutherford, but planning the dunt washisresponsibility. He should’ve had people positioned out back.’
‘It was thetop floor—’
‘I appreciate the loyalty, but...’ Another dandelion met the executioner’s boot. ‘I need to know if he’s up to the job.’
Well, that didn’t put Logan in a difficult position at all.
At the far end of the cordon, Colin Miller was making his way towards the OAPs in their baked-tattie tinfoil blankets. Ready to whip up a story.
That Sky News drone made another pass.
Chief Superintendent Pine grunted. ‘Not that I can domuch about it. We’re understaffed as it is: who am I going to replace him with?’ Dandelion number three lost its head. ‘Still waiting on an answer, by the way.’
‘It’s...’ Deep breath. ‘Everyone’s just a bit stressed-out and frazzled right now. Having to pick up the slack from all the other departments.’
‘Middle of a sodding heatwave and half the division’s off with “Man Flu”.’ Victim number four died in a puff of teeny gossamer umbrellas. ‘I want Charles MacGarioch in custody by close of play tomorrowat the latest. Custody or the mortuary – don’t care which.’ She held her hand up as Logan winced. ‘Ifhe’s drowned. Either way we’re diffusing this issue before that stupid protest march. No point giving the mob somethingelseto stick on their bloody placards.’
‘Ma-am.’
Out of dandelions, her killing spree moved on to booting small stones into the river instead. ‘Media briefing at seven. I want you there, prepped and ready to explain ...’ waving her arms again, ‘this.’
Ah.
‘I can’t. It’s parent-teacher night at Lizzie’s school, and we’re—’
‘Oh, you should’vesaid.’ All smiles. ‘Right. Well, we’ll just ask the assembled camera crews, TV broadcasters, newspapers, journalists, newsreaders, and podcasters not to talk about the story till you’re free. How does Wednesday sound? Or is Thursday better for you?’
Heat prickled the skin on Logan’s cheeks. ‘Ma-am.’
‘Good man.’ The smile tightened as she patted him on the arm. ‘Knew I could rely on you.’ Then turned and marched back towards her waiting Merc. ‘Press are going to crap in our stovies over this one, Logan. And I’m shit-out of brown sauce.’
Sergeant Brookminster opened the rear passenger doorfor her, but she didn’t even acknowledge him – already on another call.
‘Nigel.’ Slipping into her seat. ‘No...Will you shut up for two minutes and listen? It’s—’
Her sidekick clunked the door shut. Then gave Logan a sort of cross between a salute and a wave, then climbed in behind the wheel.
The Mercedes swung around in a scrunchy three-point turn. Slowing so Barrett could raise the cordon once more. And off they went.
A voice at Logan’s shoulder:‘Nice arse.’
‘Arrgh!’ He spun around, and there was Steel, letching as the Chief Super’s car rumbled onto the bridge. ‘Stop sneaking up on people!’
Steel produced another cloud of strawberry shortcake. ‘Yeah, she’s a bit stuck-up, but I like a challenge.’ A good long puff. ‘You got a crane sorted yet?’