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all?’
    â€˜Afraid so, Kev, it’s good for the soul,’ responded Grim. ‘Anyway, it’ll look good on your CV.’
    â€˜Good if I want to be a transvestite, you mean!’
    â€˜No, I actually meant experience on a multi-million quid case. Mind you, it will improve your knowledge of women’s fashion, too. Might stop you buying that rubbish you normally wear.’
    â€˜Ha bloody ha.’
    â€˜Ok, let’s cut the crap,’ said McRae without bothering to turn to face Kevin in the rear seat. ‘You get on with the stock, Kev, while Grim and I are interviewing Kanelos and his merry men. I know it won’t be fun but it’s going to be very important to get a proper handle on the stock – that’s where the real money is. Take plenty of photos, particularly if you want to raise queries later. Oh, and by the way, I’ve booked you another slot from nine until one tomorrow, because this is going to take serious time. There is a hell of a lot of stuff there.’
    The silence from the rear was truly deafening.
Do him good,
thought McRae.
He’s had it too easy so far.
    â€˜Did you hear what I said?’ asked McRae.
    â€˜Absolutely,’ replied Kevin, seeking, without success, to inject a modicum of enthusiasm into his voice.
    Out of the corner of his eye, McRae could see Grim smothering a grin.
Just wait until Kevin sees the “Hell” sign
mused McRae.
Maybe he’ll resign on the spot?
    As they parked on the grass verge across the narrow access road, Grim noticed that Steve Balfour’s Saab was pulled up on the hard standing. ‘I see that Steve is still here. He’s putting in a decent shift,’ he remarked.
    No sooner had he spoken than the man himself appeared in view, carrying a pair of black plastic bin liners. He then proceeded to place these in the back of his estate car, before approaching them.
    Once the pleasantries had been observed, Balfour pushed his podgy fingers through his lank hair, adjusted his glasses, which inadvertently left a grey sooty smudge on his nose, before speaking quietly.
    â€˜For once in a lifetime, you superstars are correct. The fire was undoubtedly assisted, but there are a couple of interesting angles that…’, he paused, ‘I can’t go into it now because I really need to get off. As you can see, I was just packing up when you rolled up. If you are in the office tomorrow, Drew, I could pop round about eleven?’
    â€˜Sure, no problem, Steve, but is there absolutely nothing else you can tell us now?’
    Balfour looked quickly towards the warehouse before he replied, ‘Rather not, still have some lab work to do. Let’s leave it until tomorrow, if that’s okay with you?’
    â€˜That’s fine, I’ll see you at eleven then,’ replied McRae.
    * * *
    While Balfour finished loading his Saab with various pieces of exotic equipment and sealed evidence bags, Grim wandered over to the Hellenic offices to notify Kanelos of their arrival. McRae gave his sulky young assistant a quick-fire preliminary tour of the site from the perimeter. As they picked their way cautiously along the side wall, the phone went off in McRae’s pocket. It was Karen.
    â€˜Just letting you know that Wagner of Adelsteins has been on. He’s on-site already with Kanelos somewhere. He just asked me to let you know.’
    Curious,
thought McRae. ‘Okay, thanks Karen.’
    Why hadn’t Wagner just introduced himself in the usual way?
The answer was soon apparent as Grim came marching towards them saying, ‘Bloody Kanelos says he can’t be disturbed at the moment. He’s up in the directors’ office with some assessor apparently. Asks us to deal with Gallo until he’s free. Bit of a bloody cheek after we fixed a firm appointment, don’t you think?’
    â€˜Yeah, he’s with Wagner, Karen just told me. Mind you, the appointment isn’t actually