All That’s Dead. Stuart MacBride

have a genuine constitutional scholar involved: bring a bit of authenticity to the way society operated in the film. Just because it’s alternative-history, doesn’t mean it has to be fake nonsense.’ His expression soured. ‘What a pain in the arse that man was.’

      ‘Yeah, I’m hearing that a lot.’

      ‘Could start a fight in a bowl of soup. And not lumpy soup either: consommé. I bet you could boil socks and he’d—’

      Logan’s phone burst into ‘If I Only Had a Brain’ again, and he slumped. Pulled the damn thing out. ‘Sorry, I’d better …’ He answered it. ‘Rennie, if you’ve called up to nag, don’t. We’ll be in when we’ve—’

       ‘Boss, there’s a package turned up at the BBC. You need to get over there, ASAP!’

      Yes, because that didn’t sound like he was being set up for something horrible, did it?

      ‘What kind of package?’

       ‘Didn’t say, but I know King’s on his way now. Lights and music, so it must be a biggie!’

      A package delivered to BBC Scotland. Well, if King was hotfooting it over there, then it had to be connected to the Professor Wilson Case. And if it was connected, then Logan had to get there sharpish too. Because the scapegoat’s scapegoat had no intention of letting the original-issue scapegoat screw things up and land him in it.

      ‘OK, OK. I’m on my way.’ He hung up and slipped the phone back in his pocket.

      Zander’s shoulders curled forward, the cat clambering up onto them. ‘I’m guessing Gilbert and Sullivan had it right about a policeman’s lot?’

      ‘Got to go. Can you …?’ Pointing through the door and down a bit, where the Visual FX department probably was.

      ‘Don’t worry, I’ll look after the little lad for you. Make sure he stays out of trouble.’

      ‘Yeah, good luck with that.’ Logan made for the door. ‘And don’t let him have any more caffeine!’ After all, things were bad enough as it was.