Ian Rankin - A Question of Blood

A Question of Blood

AN INSPECTOR REBUS NOVEL

IAN RANKIN

An Orion paperback

First published in Great Britain in 2003 by Orion
This paperback edition published in 2004 by Orion Books Ltd,
Orion House, 5 Upper St Martin's Lane, London WC2H 9EA

Seventh impression 2004

Copyright(c) 2003 John Rebus Limited

The right of Ian Rankin to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner.

All the characters in this book are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN 0 75285 896 3

Typeset by Deltatype Ltd, Birkenhead, Merseyside
Printed and bound in Great Britain by Clays Ltd, St Ives plc

In Memoriam
St Leonard's C.I.D.

Ita res accendent lumina rebus.

Anonymous

There is no prospect of an end.

James Hutton, scientist, 1785

Contents

Tuesday

Theres no mystery, Detective Sergeant Siobhan Clarke said. Herdman lost his marbles, thats all.

She was sitting by a hospital bed in Edinburghs recently opened Royal Infirmary. The complex was to the south of the city, in an area called Little France. It had been built at considerable expense on a green-field site, but already there were complaints about a lack of useable space inside and car-parking space outside. Siobhan had found a bay eventually, only to discover that she would be charged for the privilege.

This much she had told Detective Inspector John Rebus on her arrival at his bedside. Rebuss hands were bandaged to the wrists. When shed poured him some tepid water, hed cupped the plastic beaker to his mouth, drinking carefully as she watched.

See? hed chided her afterwards. Didnt spill a drop.

But then hed spoilt the act by letting the beaker slip as he tried to manoeuvre it back on to the bedside cabinet. The rim of its base hit the floor, Siobhan snatching it first bounce.

Good catch, Rebus had conceded.

No harm done. It was empty anyway.

Since then, shed been making what both of them knew was small-talk, skirting questions she was desperate to ask and instead filling him in on the slaughter in South Queensferry.

Three dead, one wounded. A quiet coastal town just north of the city. A private school, taking boys and girls from age five to eighteen. Roll of six hundred, now minus two.

The third body belonged to the gunman, whod turned his weapon on himself. No mystery, as Siobhan had said.

Except for the why.

He was like you, she was saying. Ex-army, I mean. They reckon thats why he did it: grudge against society.

Rebus noticed that her hands were now being kept firmly in the pockets of her jacket. He guessed they were clenched and that she didnt know she was doing it.

The papers say he ran a business, he said.

He had a power-boat, used to take out water-skiers.

But he had a grudge?

She shrugged. Rebus knew she was wishing there was a place for her at the scene, anything to take her mind off the other inquiry internal, this time, and with her at its core.

She was staring at the wall above his head, as if there was something there she was interested in other than the paintwork and an oxygen outlet.

You havent asked me how Im feeling, he said.

She looked at him. How are you feeling?

Im going stir-crazy, thank you for asking.

Youve only been in one night.

Feels like more.

What do the doctors say?

Nobodys been to see me yet, not today. Whatever they tell me, Im out of here this afternoon.

And then what?

How do you mean?

You cant go back to work. Finally, she studied his hands. Howre you going to drive or type a report? What about taking phone calls?

Ill manage. He looked around him, his turn now to avoid eye contact. Surrounded by men much his age and sporting the same greyish pallor. The Scots diet had taken its toll on this lot, no doubt about it. One guy was coughing for want of a cigarette. Another looked like he had breathing problems. The overweight, swollen-livered mass of local manhood. Rebus held up one hand so he could rub a forearm over his left cheek, feeling the unshaven rasp. The bristles, he knew, would be the same silvered colour as the walls of his ward.

Ill manage, he repeated into the silence, lowering the arm again and wishing he hadnt raised it in the first place. His fingers sparked with pain as the blood pounded through them. Have they spoken to you? he asked.

About what?

Come on, Siobhan

She looked at him, unblinking. Her hands emerged from their hiding place as she leaned forwards on the chair.

Ive another session this afternoon.

Who with?

The boss. Meaning Detective Chief Superintendent Gill Templer. Rebus nodded, satisfied that as yet it wasnt going any higher.

What will you say to her? he asked.

Theres nothing to tell. I didnt have anything to do with Fairstones death. She paused, another unasked question hanging between them: Did you? She seemed to be waiting for Rebus to say something, but he stayed silent. Shell want to know about you, Siobhan added. How you ended up in here.

I scalded myself, Rebus said. Its stupid, but thats what happened.

I know thats what you say happened

No, Siobhan, its what happened . Ask the doctors if you dont believe me. He looked around again. Always supposing you can find one.

Probably still combing the grounds for a parking space.

The joke was weak enough, but Rebus smiled anyway. She was letting him know she wouldnt be pressing him any further. His smile was one of gratitude.

Whos in charge at South Queensferry? he asked her, signalling a change of subject.

I think DI Hogans out there.

Bobbys a good guy. If it can be wrapped up fast, hell do it.

Media circus by all accounts. Grant Hoods been drafted in to handle liaison.

Leaving us short-changed at St. Leonards? Rebus was thoughtful.

All the more reason for me to get back there.

Especially if Im suspended"

You wont be. You said it yourself, Siobhan you didnt have anything to do with Fairstone. Way I see it, it was an accident. Now that something biggers come along, maybe itll die a natural death, so to speak.

An accident. She was repeating his words.

He nodded slowly. So dont worry about it. Unless, of course, you really did top the bastard.

John There was a warning in her tone. Rebus smiled again and managed a wink.

Only joking, he said. I know damned fine who Gills going to want to see in the frame for Fairstone.

He died in a fire, John.

And that means I killed him? Rebus held up both hands, turning them this way and that. Scalds, Siobhan. Thats all, just scalds.

She rose from the chair. If you say so, John. Then she stood in front of him, while he lowered his hands, biting back the sudden rush of agony. A nurse was approaching, saying something about changing his dressings.

Im just going, Siobhan informed her. Then, to Rebus: Id hate to think youd do something so stupid and imagine it was on my behalf.

He started shaking his head slowly, and she turned and walked away.

Keep the faith, Siobhan! he called after her.

That your daughter? the nurse asked, making conversation.