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‘And what is that, exactly?’
Davie nodded at Leo.
‘Firstly, a guarantee of immunity from prosecution from any complicity in the death of Beata Dabrowski,’ said the lawyer.
‘It’s not as simple as that. If there’s evidence to link your client to the murder conspiracy, then there’s no immunity deal in Scotland that will cover that,’ said Maxwell.
‘There’s no evidence that my client had any involvement, because hehadno involvement. He was demonstrably, and provably, in Spain at the time she went missing. He did not know that the murder was going to happen, and he played no part in the planning or commission of the abduction and subsequent murder, and only learned of the details afterwards when he was made aware of the compromising material. His late father passed the material on when he became aware of the terminal nature of his cancer diagnosis. He wanted his offspring to be able to leverage the evidence in the furtherance of their organisation’s objectives, should it become necessary in the future.’
‘That’s a fancy way of saying that Tam Hardie handed over a loaded gun to his boys before he died.’
‘Fair point, well made, DS Maxwell. The fact remains that my client has incontrovertible proof that a hugely influential individual solicited a murder that was subsequently carried out. He can take you to the body to prove he is genuine, and when the deal is signed, sealed and delivered to my satisfaction, he will supply this evidence.’
‘Okay. We need to report back on this and seek advice, but in principle this should be acceptable. When will you be ready for phase one?’ said Maxwell.
‘As soon as you are. This shite-hole has lost its appeal.’ Davie shrugged.
‘Yes, we’re ready, but remember our other caveat. No DS Max Craigie, and no one associated with him. He is toxic for my client, and we have grave concerns as to his independence.’ Leo Hamilton looked pointedly at the two officers.
‘I can assure you that we’re taking point on this, and we’re reporting directly to Detective Chief Superintendent Wakefield who in turn is reporting to the Deputy Chief Constable. We can do this in two days, if that suits your schedules?’ said Maxwell.
‘That’s acceptable.’
‘Any hints as to what we will need to bring?’
‘Aye, you’ll need a wee boat, and you’ll need a diver,’ said Davie.
‘A diver? She’s in water?’
‘Why else would I say you’d need a boat?’
‘Can’t you narrow it down a bit more? It’s Scotland after all. Known for its coastline and a myriad of lochs. How many divers? How many boats? It sounds like it could be a big logistical exercise,’ DC Laithwaite pressed.
Davie looked at Leo and raised his eyebrows, questioningly. The lawyer nodded.
‘Well, the specifics of getting her out of there are up to you lot, but she’s in the White Loch close to Newton Mearns, but it’s a decent-sized loch, and you’ll never find her without an exact location. I know that location, and I’ll point it out when I’m there.’
‘You could just describe it to us,’ said Maxwell.
‘I could, but I can’t describe it properly. I need to see it with my own eyes, plus I don’t trust anyone. I want to be there when it happens, so no bugger can plant incriminating evidence, or any shit like that.’
‘Davie, Davie. I’m hurt you’d think such a thing,’ said Maxwell, a mock hurt tone in his voice.
‘’Course you are. This must be done my way, or I’ll say nothing more, and Leo here can leak to the press how you’re ignoring my desire to assist the good people of the polis and bring closure to poor Beata’s family in Poland. How would that sound, eh?’
‘Fine, we’re ready to go, make sure you are.’
‘There’s one more thing,’ said Leo. ‘No big circus, no helicopters, no coachloads of armed cops, not until Mr Hardie has left, in any case. We don’t need his photo in the national press, do we?’
‘Don’t worry, it’ll be low key. Last thing we need is a big splash until we know what we’re dealing with. We have a cover story ready to go, and you’ll be taken out of the jail on the pretext of a hospital appointment, so you’ll need to come up with something believable to your co-inmates. Maybe start pulling a pained expression and say that your piles are playing you up,’ smirked Maxwell.
‘Aye, right,’ said Davie without a flicker of emotion.
‘When will you give us the full picture?’ said Maxwell.
‘Only when the Crown Office sign the deal off. We’ll agree to an initial exploratory interview after the site has been identified, you’ll need a secure and discreet location for this. My client will give details of how the body was deposited, and who was present. He will not disclose who ordered the killing until we have the agreement in hand.’ Leo scratched at his legal pad, before looking up at each officer in turn.
‘Anything more specific?’
