Tooth & Nail

It couldn't be the same Arnold, could it? Flight's bald sex-offender snitch? What were the chances? Going for a drink? They seemed unlikely supping companions, always supposing it was the same Arnold.

`All right,' Rebus said, closing the notebook. `Do you have a recent photo of Kenny? A good one, one .that's nice and sharp.'

`I can get one. I've got some back at the house.'

`Okay, I'll get someone to drive you home. Give them the picture and they'll bring it back to me. Let's circulate Kenny's description, that's the first thing to do. Meanwhile I'll do some snooping, see what I can come up with.'

She smiled. `It's not really your patch, is it?'

`No, it's not my patch at all. But sometimes if you look at something, or some place, for too long, you stop seeing what's there. Sometimes it takes a fresh pair of eyes to see what's staring you in the face.' He was thinking of Flight, of the reason Flight had brought him down here. He was thinking, too, of whether he, Rebus, could muster enough clout to organise a search for Kenny Watkiss. Maybe not without Flight to back him up. No, what was he thinking of? This was a missing person, for Christ's sake. It had to be investigated. Yes, but there were ways and ways of investigating, and he could count on no preferential treatment, no favours, when it came to the crunch. `I don't suppose,' he asked now, `you know whether or not his bikes are still in the garage?'

`I took a look. They're both still there. That was when I started to get worried.'

`Was there anything else in the garage?' But she wasn't listening to him.

`He hardly ever goes anywhere without a bike. He hates buses and stuff He said he was going to name his big bike after . . . after me.'

The tears came again. This time he let her cry, though it hurt him more than he could say. Better out than in, wasn't that how the cliche went? She was blowing her nose when the door opened. Flight looked into the small room. His eyes said it all: you might have taken her somewhere better than this.

`Yes, George? What can I do for you?'

`After you left the lab,' the pause showed displeasure at not having been informed or left a message, `they gave me a bit more gen on the letter itself.

`I'll be with you in a minute.'

Flight nodded but directed his attention to Samantha. `Are you okay, love?'

She sniffed. `Fine, thanks.'

`Well,' he said archly, `if you do want to register a complaint against Inspector Rebus, see the desk sergeant!’

'Ach, get away, George,' said Rebus.

Sammy was trying to giggle and blow her nose at the same time, and making a bit of a mess of both. Rebus winked towards Flight who, having done as much as he could (and for which Rebus was grateful), was now retreating.

`You're not all bad, are you?' said Samantha when Flight had gone.

`What do you mean?'

`Policemen. You're not all as bad as they say.'

`You're a copper's daughter, Sammy. Remember that. And you're a straight copper's daughter. Be sure to stick up for your old dad. Okay?'

She smiled again. `You're not old, Dad.'

He smiled, too, but did not reply. In truth, he was basking in the compliment, whether it was mere flattery ? HYPERLINK “http://or.no/”??or no?. What mattered was that Sammy, his daughter Sammy, had said it.

`Right,' he said at last, `let's get you into a car. And don't worry, pet, we'll track down your missing beau.'

`You called me pet again.'

'Did I? Don't tell your mother.'

`I won't. And, Dad?'

`What?' He half-turned towards her just in time to receive her peck on the cheek.

`Thanks,' she said. `Whatever happens, thanks.'

Flight was in the small office of the Murder Room. After the close confines of the interview cupboard, this space had suddenly taken on a new, much larger dimension. Rebus sat himself down and swung one leg over the other.

`So what's this about the Wolfman letter?' he said.

`So,' replied Flight, `what's this about Kenny Watkiss disappearing?'

`You tell me yours and I'll tell you mine.'

Flight picked up a folder, opened it, took out three or four closely typed sheets of paper, and began to read.

`Typeface used is Helvetica. Unusual for personal correspondence, though used by newspapers and, magazines.' Flight looked up meaningfully.

`A reporter?' Rebu said doubtfully.

`Well, think about it,' said Flight. 'Every crime reporter in England knows about Lisa Frazer by now. They could probably find out where she lives, too.'

Rebus considered this. `Okay,' he said at last, `go on.'