There was a woolly-suit in there, seated on a chair, his cap on his lap and a paperback book resting on the cap. Rebus had seen him half an hour before. The constable was sitting outside a room with its door closed tight. Quiet voices came from the other side. The woolly-suit was called Redpath and he worked out of St Leonard 's. He'd been in the force a bit under a year. Graduate recruit. They called him `The Professor'. He was tall and spotty and had a shy look about him. He closed the book as Rebus approached, but kept a finger in his page.

`Science fiction,' he explained. `Always thought I'd grow out of it.’

`There are a lot of things we don't grow out of, son. What's it about?’

`The usual: threats to the stability of the time continuum, parallel universes.’

Redpath looked up. `What do you think, of parallel universes, sir?’

Rebus nodded towards the door. `Who's in there?’

`Hit and run.’

`Bad?.’

The Professor shrugged. `Where did it happen?’

`Top of Minto Street.’

`Did you get the car?’

Redpath shook his head. `Waiting to see if she can tell us anything. What about you, sir?’

`Similar story, son. Parallel universe, you could call it.’

Siobhan Clarke appeared, nursing a fresh cup of coffee. She nodded a greeting towards Redpath, who stood up: a courtesy which gained him a sly smile.

` Telford doesn't want Danny talking,' she said to Rebus.

`Obviously.’

`And meantime he'll want to even the score.’

`Definitely.’

She caught Rebus's eyes. `I thought he was a bit out of order back there.’

Meaning Claverhouse, but not wanting to name names in front of a uniform.

Rebus nodded. `Thanks.’

Meaning: you did right not to say as much at the time. Claverhouse and Clarke were partners now. It wouldn't do for her to upset him.

A door slid open and a doctor appeared. She was young, and looked exhausted. Behind her in the room, Rebus could see a bed, a figure on the bed, staff milling around the various machines. Then the door slid closed.