Wasn’t an easy place to find. Hidden away on a side street, the kind of little dump she expected. Calum had told her it was a small place, but that his brother manages to make an okay living from it. There are a number of cars parked along the street in front of the entrance, enough room left to drive cars in and out of the building. She can see someone inside, standing looking at a car that’s up on a ramp. He looks too young to be William. It would help if she knew what William looked like. She’s approaching the mechanic. He’s stopped staring at the car for long enough to glance her way.
‘Can I help you, love?’ he’s asking.
‘I’m looking for William MacLean,’ she’s saying. No detail. Not to anyone else. Emma knows she’ll have to be careful, even with her boyfriend’s brother.
‘Nah, he’s busy, can I help?’
‘No, it has to be William. Is he here?’
With a sigh the mechanic’s disappeared to the rear of the garage. Into the office at the back. There’s a window that looks down at the garage, and she can see the back of someone’s head inside. Must be him. What an introduction this is going to be! Calum always speaks warmly of his brother, which is something. The mechanic’s coming back.
‘You can go through,’ he’s saying, nodding towards the office.
Up a couple of wooden steps and into William’s company. He’s sitting at a small desk, a computer in front of him. It’s a cramped, narrow little place. He’s nodding hello, looking up at her enquiringly. He looks a little nervous. Worried that she’s a customer with a complaint. Worse than that: a lawyer for a customer with a complaint. You can see the similarity with Calum. It’s in the mouth and chin, especially. William’s perhaps a little more handsome. Not noticeably older. Lacks the sharp expression that Calum always has.
‘You’re looking for me?’ William’s saying, trying to sound friendly. He’s checking that his hand’s clean before he offers it to shake. Some people can be sniffy about a little speck of engine oil.
‘You’re William MacLean?’
‘I am.’
‘Calum’s brother?’
That got a reaction. A flash of the sharp look. The polite smile falling away. It’s a look that demands that she is careful what she says next. He might not like what his brother does, but Calum’s still his brother.
‘I am,’ he’s saying gruffly. His hand had gone out a little, but it’s being withdrawn.
‘My name’s Emma. I’m Calum’s girlfriend.’
Okay, that got a reaction too. William’s sitting back in his chair, looking at her. He looks suspicious. This is clearly news to him.
‘I just wanted to clear something up with you,’ Emma’s saying. Be quick. Don’t let the conversation become about the relationship. ‘You remember a week ago. In the middle of the night.’
‘Uh,’ he’s saying. She’s stopped, waiting for a response. He doesn’t know where this is going. Not somewhere good, he can guess. These aren’t the things a brother’s girlfriend should be saying. ‘Go on,’ he’s saying.
‘You called Calum, right?’
He’s pausing. ‘Er, yeah, I called him,’ he’s nodding, a little uncertain. Piecing it together. Calum’s used him as an alibi. The girl’s got suspicious, maybe thinks Calum’s playing away. ‘That’s right, I did.’
He doesn’t look certain at all. Could be because he was drunk on the night. Could be because he’s lying. Seems more likely the latter. She doesn’t trust him.
‘You’re sure you definitely called him? Do you remember why you called him?’
Now there’s a hard look on his face. One that isn’t going to go away in a hurry. She’s asking awkward questions, and none too politely. ‘I said I called him, didn’t I? What exactly is your problem with this anyway, Emma?’ Saying her name like an insult.
‘I didn’t say I had a problem, I just want to know.’ She’s getting defensive. Getting a little aggressive. It’s not helping. ‘I’m just not sure you’re being honest with me.’
Mistake.
‘You’re calling me a liar?’ He’s raising his voice now. ‘You’re saying I didn’t call him. You’re calling Calum a liar too, is that it? Saying my wee brother’s lying to you. You sure you’re his girlfriend?’
This is going badly wrong. She needs to bail out. ‘Listen, I just want to know.’
‘Yeah, well, why in the hell are you asking me? Ask Calum. If you don’t trust his answer, you shouldn’t be going out with him. If you even are. Jesus, you turn up here giving me grief when I’ve never fucking heard of you. Some girlfriend, when he’s never even told me about you.’ Shouting now. Getting up and holding open the door to the office for her to leave.
He’s watching her walk out of the garage. Just the kind of girl Calum would go for. Smart and trouble. Getting his phone from his pocket. Screen’s filthy. One day he’ll get round to cleaning it. Ringing Calum. Nothing. Going through to voicemail. Telling his brother that he just had a visit from a woman claiming to be his girlfriend. Asking questions about some night a week ago. Telling Calum that of course he backed him up, but if she is his girlfriend, then he might want to be careful. Seems cute, but terrifying. Not the sort of girlfriend Calum should have. Hanging up. What’s he supposed to do? William always tries to help his brother, but he knows it’s not right. He wants Calum safe. Maybe a tough little nut of a girlfriend would be just the thing to force Calum to change his life. Or maybe not. Maybe it’s not possible now. William knows how the industry works. Once you’re in, it’s mighty hard to get out.
Emma has another visit to make. Not likely to go much better than the last one, but she might get more info. This one can’t bullshit his way out of it. Up the stairs to his flat and knocking on the door. It takes twenty seconds or so for him to answer. He looks rough, hung-over maybe. George is glaring back at her. Doesn’t look shocked, just disappointed. He’s running a hand through his curly hair. He’s wishing she had enough sense to take the message. Worst thing she could do is ask questions.
‘Can I come in?’ she’s asking.
‘I suppose you’d better.’ He’s stepping aside to let her past. See, this is why he doesn’t do relationships. The only woman he’d ever get serious with would be one with as many secrets as he has. Might be possible for him. No such woman in the whole city for Calum. He’s closing the door behind her and following her into the living room.
‘I know why you took Anna out for lunch,’ she’s saying, standing in the middle of the floor.
‘Yeah. You took her out so that you could drop hints about Calum. Because you don’t have the balls to tell me to my face. Well, I’m right here. Why don’t you tell me now?’
What’s the answer to that? Shit, it’s like people gang up to make life more difficult than it needs to be. ‘What are you doing?’ he’s asking. Seriously, and with a little bit of anger in his voice. He can’t help it. ‘You’re not this stupid. The hell are you doing, coming round here asking things like that? You know. You just said you know.’
‘I know all right,’ she’s nodding, and there are tears in her eyes. That’s shut George up. ‘I know that he went off in the middle of the night a week ago. I know that he says he went to pick up his brother, but he didn’t. I know two guys got killed that night. Now his brother’s lying for him, and you’re trying to push me away from him.’
She’s crying properly now, and George is standing there watching her. Two guys died that night. Scott and McClure. She can’t know. Not really.
‘You’re just putting two and two together,’ he’s saying in a whisper.
‘Tell me I’m wrong,’ she’s demanding.
He’s pausing. Just a little too long. ‘Of course you’re wrong. You’re being hysterical,’ he’s saying. Doesn’t sound like he means it. Not one bit.
She’s nodding. ‘At least now I know.’ She’s making for the door, shooting a last dirty look at George.
‘You are wrong,’ he’s saying loudly. ‘Totally wrong.’
‘Oh, don’t worry,’ she’s saying as she’s pulling open the door. ‘I won’t tell him that you’re a grass. You’ll be perfectly safe.’
George is moving to the door. He’s going to go after her. No, he’s not. He’s stopping. Why make it worse? She’s slamming the door behind her. It’s not as though she’s wrong. She’s dangerously right.