‘Are you okay, Mr Feeks? Can I get you some thing?’

The man shook his head and barely managed to say, ‘What’s this about?’

‘We think Remy might be a witness, Mr Feeks. That’s all it is. He isn’t in any trouble but we’d like to speak to him. He isn’t in the phone book or on the electoral register. You are so that’s why we came to you.’

The man started to speak but she could see he hadn’t the strength for it. ‘I think Remy might be worried about talking to us. He doesn’t have to be. It might help if you can tell him that. I’ll leave you my number but I’d like his address too if that’s okay. Has Remy been okay recently? Maybe worried or acting differently?’

He shook his head, the cough continuing.

‘I’m also interested in what Remy does at night.’ She saw the man’s eyes widen in surprise. ‘Do you know if he has hobbies that take him out late?’ She could hear how bizarre it sounded but she couldn’t take it back. ‘Mr Feeks, do you know if Remy ever goes exploring?’

‘Exploring? He barely squeezed the word out. ‘Who the fuck do you think he is? David Livingstone? Remy works in a supermarket, for God’s sake. Exploring?

‘Calm down, Mr Feeks. Please. There’s nothing to get upset about.’

‘What are you talking about, hen?’

‘We think Remy may have seen something and might be able to help us. He’s not involved. And if he’s interested in visiting old buildings, that would fit with what we’re looking for.’

Feeks looked old and confused. ‘He’s into history. Of old Glasgow and stuff like that. The boy’s proud of his heritage but I don’t understand what else you’re talking about. You’ll need to speak to him. He’s got his own place. 619 London Road. He doesn’t have a phone. Not a proper one anyway. He just uses his mobile. Listen, I don’t know what he does at night but I know it won’t be anything crooked or anything weird. He’s not like that.’

Narey nodded at Toshney, their cue to leave. Both stood and Feeks also got to his feet.

‘That’s it? You scare me half to death and now you’re going?’

‘I’m sorry, Mr Feeks, but that’s all I can tell you for now. As you say, I’ll need to speak to your son. But you don’t have to worry.’

He stood frowning but finally gave in with a shrug. ‘Okay, but whatever it is, go easy on the boy, will you? He’s a good lad.’

‘We’ll take it very easy. Mr Feeks, when we arrived, you said you’d told our people we’d be wasting our time coming to your door. Who did you think we were? Are you getting hassled?’

‘Ach. It’s nothing. Nothing I can’t handle anyway.’

Narey heard more behind the dismissive words. ‘It doesn’t quite sound like nothing. You looked worried when you saw us. Who did you think we were?’

‘Och it’s just some crowd who want to move me out. But I’m going nowhere and I’ve told them that. Told them there was no point coming round trying to change my mind. I’m a stubborn old sod.’

‘Who are they?’

‘Developers, I suppose you’d call them. Got all these big plans. Going to make the East End the new West End or some bollocks like that. It’s a lot of nonsense.’

Narey asked the question just in case. ‘They’re not called Saturn Property, are they?’

‘Eh? No. Never heard of them. This lot are called Orient Development. Bunch of chancers, if you ask me.’

‘How many of you are left here, Mr Feeks?’

‘Two houses. The McCanns left last week so that leaves the Meiklejohns at 4c and me. Tam Meiklejohn says he’s chucking it and taking the family away. So it will just be me.’

‘It’s not going to be much fun for you if that happens.’

‘I’ll not be the first. A pal of mine knew a guy called Jamal. He was the last resident of the Red Road flats. He was an asylum seeker, poor bugger. They were knocking the flats down but he was going to get deported if he left his house so he refused to go. For four months. He was the only person in his entire block and they were demolishing the other towers round about him. The guy was terrified. Living alone on the fourteenth floor all that time. Well if he could do it then so can I. I’m only on the second floor. Should be a doddle.’

‘But they knocked the Red Road flats down.’

‘Eventually. I’m going nowhere though. This was the first house my wife and I had together, bless her soul. My laddie was brought up here. I still think it’s his home even if he doesn’t. There’s too many memories for me to leave it. I’m staying.’

‘Stick to your guns, Mr Feeks. But watch yourself, okay? And if the hassling goes over the top then you call us.’

He gave a throaty laugh. ‘Hen, I used to be a welder. Made cups of tea with a blowtorch and worked with guys who knocked rivets in with their foreheads. I’m not going to get bothered by some guys in pinstripe suits. You just do me a favour and look after that boy of mine. Okay?’

‘I will, Mr Feeks. Promise.’

Giannandrea answered immediately.

‘Rico, I’ve got something I want you to look into. A company called Orient Development. They’re working on a project in the East End around Adelaide Street. Jacko might know about them.’ ‘Sure. What am I looking for?’ ‘Find out if they’re full of Eastern promise.’

Chapter 40

Her phone rang when she and Toshney were driving back to the station. It was Winter.

‘Hi. Listen, I know you’re busy but could you find some time this afternoon?’

She glanced at Toshney but he had his eyes dutifully glued to the road. He’d been warned more than once for listening to her conversations and maybe he’d finally learned a lesson.

‘Busy’s an understatement. Some time for what?’

‘Well not the same thing as last night, if that’s what you were thinking. Although if you can find time for that too then I’m more than willing.’

She kept her voice level and didn’t indulge in the flirting by her tone. ‘Well that would be good and we should schedule that as soon as possible but it won’t be this afternoon. What was it you wanted time for though?’

‘Your dad. Could you get over to the care home for about three o’clock?’

‘My dad?’ She forgot Toshney instantly. ‘What’s wrong?’

‘Nothing. Sorry, didn’t mean to alarm you. Nothing’s wrong, honestly, but it’s still important. Can you make it?’

‘Why can’t you tell me what it is? I’m not in the mood for guessing.’

‘I’m not asking you to guess. There’s nothing wrong and I think you’ll want to see this. Please.’

‘Okay, okay. I’ll be there.’

When she pulled into the car park of the nursing home, having deposited Toshney at the station, she saw that Winter’s car was already there. She looked to the front door and instead of the usual depressing sight of it staring back at her, he was standing there waving and with a smile on his face.

She had no idea what was going on and that wasn’t the way she liked it. Surprises didn’t impress her as a rule and even less so when it involved her dad. She preferred to know what was coming despite or perhaps because of his condition meaning that wasn’t often possible.

‘Right, what’s going on? You know what I’m in the middle of. This better be good.’

He slid an arm round her waist, kissed her and pulled her close.

‘I think it will be. Just come and see. But be quiet, okay? It will be better if your dad doesn’t know you’re here just yet.’

They walked down the corridor together, his arm round her and easing some of her misgivings. As they neared the door to her dad’s room, he slowed and made her do the same. The door was open and she could hear voices coming from inside, one of them unmistakably her dad’s.