Eye for an Eye

sir.’
    ‘Prognosis?’
    ‘A year at the outside.’
    ‘Pain?’
    ‘She’s on medication for that, sir.’
    ‘Hmm.’ A pause. ‘I’m sorry to hear you say that, Andy. Next time you see her, if she’s well enough, perhaps you could let her know Rhona and I are asking after her and praying for her every night.’
    It was on the tip of Gilchrist’s tongue to say there might never be a next time, but instead he said, ‘Thank you, sir. Gail will be pleased to hear that.’
    ‘Tragic,’ McVicar said. ‘Absolutely tragic.’
    ‘It is indeed, sir.’ Gilchrist heard McVicar take a deep breath then let it out in a gust of resignation. For Gail? he wondered. Or for himself? He felt his grip tighten on the phone. McVicar might be a sensitive man where family matters were concerned but when push came to shove, nothing stood in his way.
    ‘Right, Andy. This to-do with Patterson. What the hell’s it all about?’
    ‘He believes I’m not the man for the investig—’
    ‘Yes yes I know all that, but why the devil does he want you out? Sometimes I wonder if the man’s not a liability. I would never have let you go at a time like this.’
    ‘Define let go, sir.’
    ‘Pushed off the Stabber case. By all means bring in the Scottish Crime Squad, or anyone else who could help bring this maniac to justice. But Lord above us, now’s not the time to rack up the score in some personal vendetta.’
    ‘I agree, sir.’
    ‘We need every man we can lay our hands on. And more.’
    Gilchrist listened to McVicar air his grievances. He knew McVicar on a personal level, knew him to be fair. He was a tough codger but a good man to have on your side. His wife, Rhona, had hit it off with Gail after they joined the same gardening club. But following the divorce they had barely kept in touch.
    ‘... which brings me to my next point.’
    Gilchrist stared down at his garden. He would start by levelling and relaying the slabs.
    ‘This Alexandra Garvie. What’s your interest there?’
    Gilchrist let the loaded question filter through his mind. Just how much did McVicar know? Did he know of his suspicions of her? Did he know of Patterson’s plans to have him charged with sexual assault? Smart? Or dumb? He chose dumb. ‘My interest, sir?’
    ‘Yes. Interest. Why are you always nosing around her home?’
    Always? So, McVicar knew. ‘I’ve spoken to her twice—’
    ‘Yes yes I know. But why?’
    ‘A hunch,’ he said. ‘Nothing more at this stage.’
    ‘A hunch?’ McVicar made the word sound like the world’s filthiest disease. ‘Nothing more than just a hunch?’
    ‘No, sir.’
    ‘No hard evidence?’
    ‘No, sir.’
    ‘Hmm.’
    Gilchrist caught an image of McVicar frowning, looking up to the sky in that thoughtful pose of his when his mind was churning over some facts.
    ‘You think she’s got something to do with the killings?’ McVicar asked.
    ‘I’m still fishing, sir.’
    ‘Any nibbles?’
    For a split second, Gilchrist wondered if McVicar knew about his searching Garvie’s ventilation grille. Then just as quickly decided he did not. ‘Not yet,’ he replied.
    ‘But you’re not through with her. Are you?’
    ‘No, sir.’
    ‘Patterson disagrees.’
    ‘He would, sir. If I said white, he’d say black.’
    ‘He’s instructed all personnel to stay away from Garvie’s residence. You are aware of that order, I presume.’
    ‘I am, sir.’
    ‘So why do you continue to defy the man?’
    ‘I thought being suspended from service provided me the rights of any other citizen in the United Kingdom. One of them being the freedom to talk to whoever I choose. Sir.’
    McVicar chuckled. ‘Quite.’
    ‘Do you mind if I ask you a question, sir?’
    ‘Not at all. Shoot.’
    ‘Have you asked yourself why?’
    ‘Why?’
    ‘Why does DCI Patterson want no one to talk to Garvie?’
    ‘The Scottish Crime Squad’s already taken her statement. The chief inspector’s well within his rights to direct the investigation as he sees fit.’
    ‘And if he’s wrong?’
    ‘Then he’ll have a great deal to answer for.’
    ‘One other question, sir?’
    ‘I’m listening.’
    ‘Why did you ask me to call?’
    ‘When I first got wind of this, I had intended to coerce your compliance with a demand for your resignation.’
    ‘Why didn’t you?’
    ‘I feared you might be stubborn enough to tender it.’
    Gilchrist turned away from the window. Repairs to the rockery were on hold. ‘Thank you, sir.’
    ‘Before you