Saints of the shadow bible. Page 299.

The scrap yard was on the outskirts of Broxburn (located 19 km west of Edinburgh on the A8 road and situated approximately 8 km from Edinburgh Airport)), so he took the road out towards Edinburgh Airport.

Listening to the radio, he was informed that the economic crisis was getting no easier and other European countries were approaching 'basket case'(hopeless and useless condition) territory. Cyprus, Portugal… no one seemed to know where it would end.

an angry phone-in was debating how an independent Scotland could remain part of NATO if it ditched the nukes (a nuclear device or weapon).  After a couple of minutes Rebus could feel his blood pressure rising. He reached for a CD and slid (slide, to move easily) it home.  Spooky Tooth's (English rock band from the late 60s) second album.

The yard was behind a chain-link fence (a fence made of strong wire net), some of it hidden behind a further makeshift barrier (temporary and low quality, but used because of sudden need) of a corrugated sheeting (thin metal used to cover something) and all topped by three separate strands (a part that combines with something) of razor wire (a wire with pieces of sharp metal across it, often positioned on top of walls).Signs warned of CCTV and guard dogs. Sure enough, A German shepherd got to its feet and bared its fangs as Rebus drove through the open gates and into the compound (an area surrounded by fences or walls that contains a group of buildings). The dog was tethered (keeping within certain radius) by a length of greasy inch-thick rope and a studded (a nail with a rounded top) leather collar.

The office it protected looked to have been constructed from leftovers of timber and beaten (formed by hammering) metal.

The man who emerged knew Rebus for a policeman straightaway (immediately), just as Rebus could tell the man had served time at some point in the past. The rolled-up sleeves of his shirt displayed arms festooned (to decorate a room or other place) with faded home-made tattoos, the kind prisoners inflicted on each other for want of any other hobbies. Shaky writing and wonky (not straight or level) thistles (a wild plant with sharp points on the leaves) seemed to predominate.

     'What's the dog called?'

The owner squinted (to partly close your eyes in order to see more clearly) at Rebus. He was squat (short and wide), almost hunchbacked ( a person who has a back with large round lump, raised area), and his bald dome of a head had an oily sheen (a bright, smooth surface) to it.

     'Boris,' he eventually answered, at which the dog's ears pricked up (puts its ears up straight because of it is listening carefully) .

     'Reckon (to think or believe) that rope's strong enough?'

DS Rebus. I didn't catch your name.'

     'Eddie Duke. I told Reece you wanted to talk to him, and guess what? He decided to knock off (to cease work) early.'