The Big Fiddle (21 page)

Angel smiled. ‘Where is this leading?’

‘Oh, just idle chit-chat, an old doctor’s subtle way of finding out how you survived that wee punch-up. Your erstwhile opponent has a broken jaw and several nasty contusions to his face. I hope that you gave out more than you got.’

‘I really don’t know about that, Mac. But rest assured, I’m OK.’

‘Good. Good,’ Mac said. ‘You’ll have learned from that, that I have Mr Reville on the slab in front of me.’

‘I knew that he was in your accomplished hands,’ Angel said with a grin.

‘You can cut out the sarcasm, or I shallna tell you what you want to know.’

‘All right. I’m listening. Go on.’

‘I’m thinking you will be pleased. I took X-rays of his chest, thorax, hip and thigh parts and discovered a perfect hexagonal shadow in his stomach. When I opened him up I found a large clear stone. When I washed it under the tap, it glistened and reflected the most beautiful colours.’

Angel smiled. ‘Do you know, Mac? That news is better than any of your bottles of medicine.’