Lethal Intent Read Online Free Page B

face, then from his hand on to the side of his shirt. He grabbed the receiver and pushed the play-back button.
    'Bob,' said a female voice. 'I need to speak to you, urgently. Call me please, as soon as you get this. I'll be at the flat; the time doesn't matter.' It was Aileen de Marco, and she sounded as angry as he felt. He crossed to the dressing-table, aware that he was being watched, picked up his wallet, and retrieved from it the card that she had given him, with her home number written on the back. He knew that it would be long past midnight in Edinburgh, but he took her at her word and dialled it.
    The Scottish Justice Minister answered on the third ring. 'Yes?' She sounded wide awake.
    'It's me. I just got your message. Where's the fire?'
    'It would be in Tommy Murtagh's jockeys if I had anything to do with it. I'm going to resign, Bob, first thing in the morning; but I wanted to tell you before I did it. I'm sorry to break in on you, but I just had to talk to you, especially since you're at the heart of it'
    'Hey,' he exclaimed, taken aback, 'hold your horses, Aileen. What's this about? What's Murtagh done?'
    'He's appointed himself God. Those five terrorists that you and your people arrested two weeks ago: our esteemed First Minister has decided, himself, without reference to Cabinet colleagues, that they will not be tried in Scotland. Instead they'll be handed over to the Americans, right away.'
    'What? All of them?'
    'All five.'
    'But three of them were minor people.'
    'It doesn't matter. The Americans want to interrogate every terrorist they can get their hands on, just in case they know the slightest thing that might be important or could lead them to the top guys in the network that they haven't caught yet'
    'Murtagh hasn't done this off his own bat, though.'
    'Of course not! He's had his orders from Downing Street.'
    Skinner laughed. 'Even though they're illegal.'
    'It's not funny.'
    'I know. It's pathetic. I take it you've told wee Tommy how you feel.'
    'Loud and clear, but it made no difference.'
    'What about the Lord Advocate? They're in Crown custody: it's his shout'
    'What do you think?'
    'Enough said. But listen to me now. Who will gain if you quit over this? The Scottish Executive? I don't think so. The five people you're talking about? They won't even know about it. This is international arrogance, and while the fact that Murtagh's gone along with it should cost him his job, there's no reason why it should cost you yours.'
    'He's half threatened to fire me for disagreeing with him and demanding a Cabinet discussion. I'm just going to beat him to it, that's all.'
    'Call his bluff. He won't dare: you're too popular. He might like you to quit, but he can't sack you.'
    Aileen paused for a few seconds. 'But, Bob,' she said, 'if I stay in post, it'll look like I support him.'
    'No, it won't, not after I've done a bit of judicious leaking to the press. I can play these boys at their own game, don't worry. Now please listen to me: say nothing to Murtagh tomorrow. Stay in your job. There's nothing you can do that'll alter what's going to happen. None of these people are UK nationals, so they'll go. There may be a small row about it, but it'll soon blow over. Even if it does damage the First Minister in the long run, it won't cost him his head now. What you must not do is allow the wee shit to manoeuvre you out of the Executive. You're his biggest potential threat, and everyone knows that, but only if you're in office, so do us all a favour and bloody stay there.'
    'Okay,' she acknowledged, grudgingly. 'I'll think about it.'
    'No, just do it.'
    'If that's what you really believe is best, I will.'
    'I do, honest.'
    'Right.' She sighed. 'You know, you don't sound surprised by any of this.'
    Skinner chuckled. 'Sorry, Aileen, there's little or nothing you politicians can do to surprise me.'
    'You can't be pleased by it, though.'
    'No, I'm bloody livid, as the Lord Advocate is about to find out.'
    'You're not going to