Phosphate Rocks Chapter 3: Ebony Elephant

Inside the interview room of Torphichen Street Police Station, Rose is the first to break the silence. 

‘Can you identify the items found beside the body, the things on the desk?’ She extracts a photograph from the manila folder and hands it to John. ‘Here’s a close-up.’ 

He takes off his glasses and brings the print to the end of his nose. 

‘We cleaned the objects up,’ she says. ‘Do you want to see them?’ 

‘Aye.’ 

She picks up the phone and punches a number. ‘Bring in the SAI evidence.’ 

Please, he thinks to himself. 

‘To Interview Room Two,’ she says. ‘Right away.’ 

Thanks, he adds silently as she puts down the phone. After all, it doesn’t cost anything. 

At a knock on the door, he is first on his feet, opening the door for a young constable who carries a metal tray. 

Rose nods at the table, and the constable rests the tray carefully on the near edge. 

John moves the stack of photographs to one side so she can slide it into the centre. 

‘Thank you,’ she smiles.  

‘You’re welcome,’ he says.  

Rose waves the constable away. 

John sits again. He stares at each of the objects for exactly ninety seconds, one after the other, then closes his eyes.