The Deep Dark Sleep

She straightened herself out before answering. She was trying to retain her dignity, but the truth was she had never lost it.

‘You’ve expressed yourself very well, Lennox. But don’t worry, I have no intention of setting foot in this shitheel country ever again.’

‘One more thing,’ I said as she was leaving. ‘Not a word to Fraser. I don’t want you tipping him off that I know about your little arrangement.’

She turned at the door and nodded curtly. Then she was gone.

I sat and stared at the window, out at the black stone and iron lacework of Central Station, contemplating what had just happened and the information I’d been given. The war had been over for ten years, but it still loomed large in everything, casting its shadow into every corner of life. I had forgotten, even when Jock Ferguson had asked the old retired copper about Harrison, that Fraser had been in the Home Guard.

I was considering my next move when someone walked into my office; just like McNab, without knocking. I considered getting a sign.

‘Hello, Jock,’ I said. ‘I was just thinking about you.’

He came in and sat down opposite me. As he did so, I saw that he had noticed the address written on my blotter and glanced at it absently before tossing his trilby on top of it.

‘Here’s your photograph back.’ He handed me an envelope. I had let him and McNab keep the picture of Joe Strachan or Henry Williamson or whoever the hell he was, but on the understanding that they copied it and gave me back the original. I had been relieved that they had not pushed too much to find out exactly how I’d come by it.

‘You get anything on the guy in the picture?’ I asked.

‘Nope. He remains a mystery man. But I have some good news – and I have to point out that I haven’t shared it with Superintendent McNab yet – I think I’ve tracked down someone who might be able to cast a little light on the matter.’

‘Oh … who?’

‘Stewart Provan.’

‘Wait a minute … I recognize that name …’ I scrabbled about in my drawer and found the sheet of paper the twins had sent me with the names that had been found on the note behind furniture. There it was, the fourth name on the list. ‘How did you find him?’

‘Pure chance. He’s living under the name Stewart Reid now. Changed his name by deed poll. But with ex-prisoners, we get notified of change of names and residence. I got the name from old Jimmy Duncan, who you met the other day. Told him I wanted to track down anyone who was suspected of being an associate of Joe Strachan. He came up with Stewart Provan, which led to Stewart Reid.’

‘Any form since the Thirties?’

‘None. Like Billy Dunbar, he’s gone straight.’

I nodded, not wanting to add that I could guarantee that Dunbar would never break the law again.

‘And you have an address for him?’ I asked.

Ferguson nodded indulgently and handed me a slip of paper with Provan’s details on them.

‘I appreciate this, Jock.’

Ferguson shrugged. ‘Just don’t let McNab know I’ve tipped you off. Having said that, what is it that’s going on between you and McNab? It’s almost like you’re on the payroll. You’re not, are you? I mean, he’s not paying you snout money?’

‘Don’t be stupid, Jock. Let’s just say the Superintendent has come to a greater appreciation of my finer qualities. Now, what do you reckon to this Home Guard connection? Do you really think that this Chief Superintendent Harrison tipped off whoever it was that came after me?’

‘I don’t know, Lennox, but you know that coincidences are pretty difficult things to believe in. But I can’t believe a senior officer in the City of Glasgow Police would knowingly be involved with this kind of nonsense.’

I raised an eyebrow so much that Archie would have been proud of me.

‘We’re not all on the take or corrupt,’ said Jock defensively.

‘Not all, I’m sure. Anyway, thanks for the address, Jock.’ I stood up. I wanted Ferguson to clear out. I had no idea how long the terrified Paul Downey would stay at the address Leonora Bryson had given me.

‘You’re welcome.’ I could tell from his tone that he was a little put out.

‘Sorry, Jock … it’s just I’ve got something to deal with. And it’s urgent.’

I saw him down the stairs and out onto the main street. I made my way around the corner to where I had parked the Atlantic and headed out to Bridgeton. I drove past the address three or four times, circling the block on either side, just to make sure there was no sign of the mob Bryson had set on Downey’s trail. I needed to get Downey safe and secure before I dealt with Fraser.

I had a more immediate problem.