Tooth for a Tooth (Di Gilchrist 3)

what else to tell you. All the big guns are out. Rumour has it McVicar is going to make a personal appeal to you on the evening news.’
    Assistant Chief Constable Archie McVicar. For McVicar to take this unprecedented step, Tosh must have been able to pull some mighty big strings. ‘What’s Tosh telling everyone?’
    ‘That you hit him.’
    ‘I didn’t lay a finger on—’
    ‘He’s got cuts on his face to prove it.’
    From fighting his way through hedges, he thought. But Tosh would gut him to the hilt, do as much damage to Gilchrist’s reputation as he could. Assaulting an officer of the law was a serious offence. And with the charges piling up, Gilchrist had no doubt which of the two of them, Tosh or himself, the jurors would believe. Jesus, he really was in—
    ‘Besides,’ Nance went on, ‘he’s threatening to pull me into it.’
    ‘How can he do that?’
    ‘Someone saw us.’
    Gilchrist raked his hands through his hair. ‘I’m sorry, Nance.’
    ‘Don’t be, Andy. Just turn yourself in.’
    The call ended.
    Gilchrist felt the strength in his legs leave him. He sat on the bed, the phone still pressed to his ear. Christ, without Stan or Nance kicking the ball for him, he really was on his own. He thought of phoning Greaves, but knew Greaves would not risk his career for such a maverick detective, and he came to see that he really had only the one choice.
    The phone was picked up on the third ring. ‘McVicar speaking.’
    ‘This is DCI Andrew Gilchrist, sir. I need to—’
    ‘Good Lord, Andy. Where on earth are you?’
    He could not tell McVicar that he knew about his imminent appeal on the news. That would point the finger to others. Instead, he said, ‘I intend to turn myself in, sir.’
    ‘That’s a wise move, Andy. Tell me where you are, and I’ll have someone pick you up. I’ll do what I can for you, but I’m going to have to play this by the book. You understand?’
    ‘I do, sir.’
    ‘I have to ask you, Andy.’
    ‘Sir?’
    ‘Is there any truth to these allegations?’
    ‘None whatsoever, sir.’ Not strictly correct. He still had the lighter.
    McVicar seemed to give thought to Gilchrist’s words. ‘I have to tell you that you’ve got yourself into one hell of a mess in this one, Andy. You do understand that, I’m sure. So I’m going to insist on Dugard representing you. He’s one of the best—’
    ‘Sir, I’m not turning myself in right away.’
    ‘You’re not? Good Lord,’ McVicar’s voice boomed. ‘The media have already got hold of this. God knows how they get on to things so quickly.’
    ‘Tosh, sir?’
    ‘Pardon?’
    ‘Tosh told them.’
    ‘Can you prove it?’
    ‘Probably not.’
    Silence, while McVicar digested his words. ‘That’s too bad. There’s something about that man that worries me. But regrettably we can’t go bending the rules where our own staff are concerned. We can’t be seen to be above the law. Do you understand what I’m saying, Andy?’
    ‘I do indeed, sir, but I do intend to turn myself in this evening.’
    ‘When and where?’
    ‘The
where
is the office in North Street. The
when
I’m not so sure about.’
    ‘You’ll need to do better than that, I’m afraid.’
    ‘I can’t, sir. All I can tell you is that I
will
turn myself in.’
    ‘I can give you until six o’clock, Andy. After that, you’re on your own.’
    Six o’clock meant that McVicar was intent on putting out an appeal on the evening news if Gilchrist was a no-show. Six was too early. ‘I’m going to have to ask you to trust me, sir.’
    ‘What do you think I’m doing, Andy? A warrant has been issued for your arrest. After six, I’m afraid I can’t help. Think about it, Andy. Will you do that?’
    With that, McVicar hung up.
    Gilchrist replaced the phone. McVicar’s tone warned him that this case had climbed to the topmost branches, probably to the Superintendent. Could he blame them? Tosh would have presented a compelling case – Jack’s tooth, his DNA, a secret witness to confirm he and Kelly argued
a lot
, Jack’s fight outside the Keys with Branscombe. Even Jack’s letter to Kelly could be used against him. How would it look to the public if one of Fife’s finest was found guilty of removing evidence that could convict his brother for murdering his girlfriend over thirty years ago? It would be seen as a cover-up. How could the public ever trust the Force again? Heads would roll. McVicar’s, Greaves’, maybe even Superintendent