“With respect, sir, I don’t agree. They can be a mine of information, these community bobbies

The DI interrupted Brian, “All very informative,” he said, “but where do drugs come into this?” “I was getting to that, sir. We think that, until he was banged up, Mad Mike acted as a runner for some guy supplying drugs to the Seaton area. “We’ve known for years there’s been dope changing hands down there. Not on an organised basis. Just the odd punter doing a trade or two on the street. The minute uniform pick up on them, they move on.

“But this pusher isn’t one of our regulars. He’s only just crossed the radar, in fact. Might be an incomer to the city. Confines his activities to Class B stuff. And to Seaton. But he seems to have the place sewn up.”

“The kid… Meston, did you say his name was? What’s he got to do with all this?”

“We believe young Willie has been acting as a surrogate for his dad. Keeping the billet warm, so to speak, till Mad Mike does his time.”

“And the child is how old, did you say?”

“Ten, sir.”

“Any other minors involved?”

“Only one that we know of: Ryan Brebner, also age 10, also from Seaton.”

“OK. And I take it when you say ‘we’, you’re referring to your source.” Brian nodded. “This source – it’s reliable, is it?”

Credence

He felt the colour rise in his neck. “Absolutely.” “A snout?” He fiddled with the knot of his tie. “No.” “Who, then?” Brian fidgeted in his seat.

“If…” His superior officer leaned across the desk. “And it’s a whopping if –I’m to give any credence to this fairytale, Sergeant, I’ll need full disclosure of your source.”

Brian was so short of breath he reckoned he might be having a panic attack. “It’s someone I’m…c-close to,” he stuttered.

“Close? Like your wife, you mean?”

“No sir,” he uttered a grim laugh.

“Who, then?”

Brian sat in silence. After a few moments, he spoke. “Can you give me your assurance, sir, that it will go no further than these four walls?”

The inspector nodded. “For now, at least. Though neither of us can be sure where this will take us.” “Understood.”

“Well?”

“It’s a Mrs Laird, sir.”

The DI frowned. “That policeman’s widow?”

Brian blanched. “‘Fraid so, sir.” Chisolm raised his eyes to the ceiling. He’d heard rumblings about the woman taking up the reins of the husband’s business. She looked such a timid wee thing, too. “You have corroboration, I take it?”

“From two different sources. Plus I’ve asked the community bobby from Seaton police office to keep an ear to the ground.”

Chisolm sniffed. “Wouldn’t put any money on that.” “With respect, sir, I don’t agree. They can be a mine of information, these community bobbies.”

“If they remember to pass the information on.” “Point taken.”

“What about the dealer? Do we have a description?” “According to my snout…”

Chisolm’s lip curled. If he had a pound for every skewed piece of intel. “Late teens. Well built.” “Hair colour?”

“Lad always wears a hat: one of those beanie jobs.”

Groaned

Chisolm groaned. “Covers half of Aberdeen.” “Just about. My snout says he’s not a kent face. Fairly new on the scene, but savvy enough, sir, to stay well clear of the big boys.”

“Where does he hand over the goods, this guy?” “The Castlegate. At least it’s been the Castlegate up until recently, but he seems to have gone to ground.” “Any idea where?” Brian shook his head. “Well,” the inspector stood up to signal the end of the meeting, “can’t say I’m knocked out with what you’ve brought me, Burnett.” Brian averted his eyes.

“Nonetheless, Sergeant, we’re duty-bound to follow up every line of inquiry. No matter how tenuous.” “Agreed.”

“But make no mistake,” the DI glowered, “we’re dealing with a girl’s death here. All hell will rain down on your shoulders if you’ve got this wrong.”

“Sir.”

“However, in the absence of any other leads, I’ll have a word with Drugs Division and have the Seaton connection checked out.”

“Sir,” his sergeant stood up, “thanks for your time.” He stood, awkward, waiting to be dismissed. Brian was uneasy. He wished he hadn’t listened to Maggie. Hadn’t rung the DI. Hadn’t put himself in the firing line like this.

Too many heads had rolled since the debacle of that drugs trial. Plus it was never a good idea to get yourself noticed too soon.

“You’ll let me know, Burnett, if you get any more intel that may be of use to us in our inquiries from your…” for a moment, the inspector hesitated. “Acquaintance.”

“Yes sir.” Brian wondered if there was significance in Allan Chisolm’s choice of words. He headed for the door.

“Oh, and Burnett, before you go?”

“Sir?”

“This source of yours, how did she come by the information?” Clever bastard, Brian thought. “She didn’t say.”

Circumspect

“Willie?” The boy turned from the entrance to Esplanade Court. “Can I have a word?”

“Ah’m in a hurry,” Willie slipped through the opening. Move it! As the heavy door swung shut, Maggie stuck out a foot and squeezed through the narrowing gap. She caught Willie jabbing at the lift buttons.

He jabbed one, then another, and another still. Swivelled on his heel. Made for the door to the stairwell. “Willie,” Maggie hurried after him, “we need to talk.”

“Aboot?” the boy headed up the stairs. Remember – be circumspect. “You know what.” Willie reached the first landing. “Naw,” he didn’t turn. “Ah dinna.”

“It’s about what you’ve been up to…” Keep it vague. The figure paused, mid-step. “In the high rises.” “Dinna ken what yer talkin’ aboot.”

Willie recommenced his upward trajectory. What the hell! “I know you’re dealing drugs,” Maggie’s breath began to labour as she reached the second floor.

“That right?”

“Yes.”

“Who telt ye that?” There was no let-up in Willie’s step. “Willie,” Maggie insisted, “I saw you with my own eyes.” Willie slowed. “Spyin’, wis ye?”

“If you like.”

He turned his head. “Thocht ye wis on oor side, like?”

“I am.” The third floor came and went. “Where are you heading, Willie?”

“Nane o’ yer business.”

Draw him out. “It’s to meet your supplier, isn’t that right?”

“Naw,” Willie snorted. “Ah’m awa tae pick up Kyle.” “Ryan’s wee brother?”

“Aye. Ah’ve tae collect him fae the child-minder.” “Why isn’t Ryan picking him up?”

“He’s messages tae dae.”

More tomorrow.