Bottleneck

by Ed James

  CHAPTER 97

  Cullen lagged behind as Bain crossed the bus station at speed, McCrea and Cargill following at an increasing distance.

  His phone buzzed in his pocket. He got it out and checked the screen as he walked - a missed call from Sharon. He called her back. Voicemail. He pocketed it and hurried over.

  Bain's car sat in a lane by the bus station, two parking tickets on the screen. A local uniformed officer stood by the vehicle, trying to act as professionally as he could with a manic DI shouting the odds in his face.

  "For fuck's sake," said Bain. "I cannot fuckin' believe it got ticketed before it got called in." He ripped the ticket off the windscreen. "What's the point in having a fuckin' call put out for it?" He stuck the ticket in his notebook. "Someone's boss is getting paid a visit."

  "We need to get people all over that bus station," said Cargill.

  "The boy could be anywhere." Bain pointed at the ever-present camera. "That fuckin' CCTV better be working."

  "Don't look at me," said Cullen. "I need to get back to Edinburgh to find Roberts."

  "But you're so good at looking at CCTV footage, Sundance."

  "This isn't our jurisdiction," said Cargill.

  "This isn't mine, either," said Bain. "I'm Glasgow South, not this fuckin' backwater."

  "You stay just up the road," said Cullen. "Bathgate."

  "It's hardly up the road, Cullen," said Bain. "Besides, I sold that house and bought a wee flat in Glasgow." He rubbed his face. "Right, I want you to look into the CCTV footage, Constable."

  "I told you I need to follow up a lead in Edinburgh," said Cullen.

  "Like what?" said Bain.

  "Beth Williamson used to go out with Roberts," said Cullen.

  "Like fuck she did," said Bain.

  Cullen nodded at McCrea. "Damian, tell him."

  McCrea snorted. "He's right. Jenny Stone told us just before you burst into the interview room."

  "Right," said Bain. "Okay, then, Damian, you're finding me that CCTV footage."

  McCrea sent daggers at Cullen before he set off after Bain.

  Cullen and Cargill walked slowly back to her car.

  "Good work, Scott."

  "Thanks," said Cullen. "I told you I knew how to play him. He can give it out but he can't take it. As you say, he's just a bully."

  "Well, he's the last of a dying breed," said Cargill. "All the swearing, the bullying, the aggro, he's had his time. He's not getting out of this with his job."

  Cullen had a certain amount of sympathy for the situation Bain was in, but he couldn't wait to see the back of him.

  CHAPTER 98

  Two hours later, Cullen and Methven sat in the interview room with Beth Williamson. Her lawyer, Campbell McLintock, wore a lime green shirt and tie with a navy pinstripe suit.

  He was well known to Cullen, notorious for using the most obscure technicalities to win cases from the margins of defeat. He usually defended high-earning clients - Cullen wondered just how much Williamson's husband was on.

  "You don't need to be here, Campbell," said Methven. "Ms Williamson is not a suspect. She is merely being asked to assist with our investigations."

  "I'll be the judge of that, Inspector. Since certain changes in the criminal justice system in this country, I think it is in both of our interests that I'm present, don't you?"

  "Nothing to do with the fact you're charging Ms Williamson by the hour?" said Methven.

  "I beg your pardon?"

  "Interview started at six twenty-three pm on Thursday the fourth of April, two thousand and thirteen," said Methven, grinning at McLintock. "Present in the room are Beth Williamson, her solicitor Campbell McLintock, Detective Constable Scott Cullen and myself, Detective Inspector Colin Methven." He licked his lips. "Ms Williamson, can you please detail your relationship with a Mr Michael Roberts of Glasgow?"

  "We knew each other from music," said Beth. "We used to both play gigs in Bannerman's and we had practice rooms in Niddry Street." She took a sip of water. "We did a few gigs together in Glasgow."

  "And that's it, is it?" said Cullen. "That's the extent of your relationship?"

  "I'm sorry?"

  "Can you confirm you and Mr Roberts were just friends?" said Cullen.

  Beth frowned. "That's what I just told you."

  "We've heard differently," said Cullen.

  McLintock looked nervous as he jumped in. "My client has told you the relationship between herself and Michael Roberts was purely that of friends. Please kindly drop the matter."

  Cullen kept his eyes on her. "That's your final answer, is it, Beth?"

  She nodded but evaded his gaze.

  Cullen opened his notebook. "A good friend of yours told us otherwise."

  "Who?"

  "Jenny Stone."

  Beth's forehead creased. "Jenny?"

  Cullen nodded. "As you well know, she's the bass player in Expect Delays. Similar to Mr Roberts, I believe you knew her from the Edinburgh music scene. Would I be wrong?"

  "I know her." Beth gritted her teeth. "I just can't believe she'd let me down like that."

  "Is telling the truth letting someone down?" said Cullen.

  McLintock's face reddened. "What my client is trying to say is Ms Stone and she fell out."

  "It's not." Beth slid her wedding ring up and down her finger, staring into space. "Mike and I went out with each other for sixteen months." A tear slid down her cheek. "We broke up when he made it."

  "Charming," said Cullen.

  Beth rubbed her eyes. "It was for the best, I suppose. I'm not the most trusting and him being away on tour or in a studio for months on end wouldn't be good for me." She patted her belly. "Besides, I most likely wouldn't have this one on the way."

  "It might have been useful for your career, though," said Cullen.

  "I'm sorry?"

  "Well, we understand Mr Roberts was responsible for your band's offer of a record contract falling through," said Cullen.

  Beth's face went white. "How did you hear that?"

  "We have a number of statements to that effect now," said Cullen. "Is it true?"

  "I don't know," said Beth. "Jimi thought it was true but I don't know. Why would Mike do that?"

  "There's a phrase you may have heard," said Methven. "'Where there's a hit there's a writ'. We believe Mr Strang was under the impression that Mr Roberts had stolen the hit single Where Has He Gone? from a work by your band, The Invisibles, namely Goneaway."

  "Shite," said Beth.

  "Is it true?" said Methven.

  "Inspector, my client wishes to make no further statement on the matter."

  Methven grinned. "This is not going to look good for your client. As it stands, Ms Williamson lied to us on the record. I'm sure we have enough here to prosecute her."

  McLintock looked away. "Very well."

  "So," said Methven, "was there anything in Mr Strang's theory?"

  "Jimi certainly thought it was the same song," said Beth. "I mean, you've got to admit there's a big similarity between them."

  "Mr Strang wasn't in a particularly healthy frame of mind at the time, though, was he?" said Methven.

  "That's one way of putting it," said Beth.

  "Mr Roberts was arrested earlier today but escaped custody," said Methven. "Have you had any contact with him?"

  Beth scowled at him. "No. He's one of the last people I'd want to see, believe me."

  "That's a definite?" said Cullen.

  "We just had sex with each other for sixteen months," said Beth. "It wasn't like he was the love of my life or anything. And he ended it, not me. I wasn't pleased. If I saw him, I'd tell him where to go."

  "I think my client has helped you enough with your inquiries, Inspector," said McLintock. "She has not had any contact with the accused for a number of months. I wouldn't want to draw your attention to the fact she is with child and your line of questioning may be deemed excessive by members of the fourth estate?"

  Methven glowered at McLin
tock. "Interview terminated at six thirty-seven pm."

  CHAPTER 99

  Cullen and Methven found Cargill in the Incident Room, fingers battering a laptop's keyboard. She looked up then shut the screen and sat back, arms folded. "Well?"

  "Williamson pretty much confirmed our theory," said Methven.

  Cargill pushed the laptop away. "Pretty much isn't good enough, Colin. I'd expect pretty much from our colleagues in Glasgow South. Not us."

  "Very well." Methven closed his eyes again. "I think she knows something. Do we have the manpower to put a tail on her?"

  "Graham has half of Scotland at his disposal," said Cargill, "so yes."

  "Can we make it some of our better officers?" said Methven. "I think we're onto something here."

  "Who?" said Cargill.

  "I'd like DC Murray and DC Jain," said Methven.

  "They're both coming on shift just now, I think," said Cargill, "so I'm happy to approve that."

  "Good," said Methven. "Tell them they'll have to submit an overtime form."

  "I'm sure they'll appreciate it," said Cargill. "I'll make sure it goes through."

  "What about me?" said Cullen. "I think I'm just about dried up and I don't want to go chasing CCTV footage in Motherwell."

  Cargill grimaced. "While you won't have to go to Motherwell, you will have to look at CCTV."

  Cullen felt his shoulders slump. "Really?"

  "Roberts got the bus to Edinburgh," said Cargill.

  "A bus?" said Cullen.

  Cargill nodded. "It would appear he hopped on a coach in Motherwell at half past eleven this morning. The destination was Edinburgh, but we don't know whether he made it all the way. There were no stops between Motherwell and the west of Edinburgh. The CCTV camera on the coach was faulty."

  "I thought I was past this sort of thing," said Cullen.

  "You're a Detective Constable," said Cargill. "Don't get above yourself just because you've been an ADS."

  "No ma'am." Cullen was pissed off. "Sorry."

  "Look, don't be like that," said Cargill. "You've done some excellent work on this case so far. Not all of it has been by the book, admittedly, but it's not gone unnoticed."

  "Thanks." Cullen was unable to decide if he was merely being buttered up.

  CHAPTER 100

  Two hours later, Cullen walked up the Royal Mile on his way to the flat, chatting to Methven on the phone. It was warmer than it had been over the previous couple of weeks, but it was still cold.

  He was missing his car already. Instead of it sitting in an Accident Repair Centre in Bellshill waiting to be written off, he could have driven home in warmth.

  "When are you due back here?" said Methven.

  "It's just gone ten," said Cullen. "I'm heading home."

  "What happened to your hunger to catch this guy?"

  "Actual hunger happened," said Cullen. "Besides, I'll be in a better frame of mind once I've had some sleep."

  "I'm close to ordering you to come in."

  "Sorry, sir, the reception is breaking up," said Cullen.

  "Don't you dare."

  "In all seriousness," said Cullen, "I've been on ten days straight now and I really need to get to bed. I'll be in at six tomorrow." He started up the stairwell. "I've been through all the CCTV footage at the various stops. Naismith wouldn't let me take it away unless it was confirmed evidence."

  "Anything?"

  "There are a couple of guys who could pass for Roberts getting off in Edinburgh," said Cullen. "One at the stop just by the zoo and the other at the bus station, but that's it. Naismith was going to email the screen grabs across to us."

  "I'll pass that to the street team," said Methven. "They're going through the CCTV at the bus company just now so hopefully something can confirm it."

  "Thought the camera was broken?"

  "The external one still worked."

  "I see," said Cullen. "Hopefully, the press release or street teams will have something for me tomorrow. Actually, they might have solved the case by then and I can have the day off."

  He unlocked the flat door and went inside. The cat jogged through from the living room and started his bleating.

  "You are trying my patience, Constable."

  Cullen went into the living room. Sharon was slumped against the breakfast bar.

  "I've got to go." Cullen hung up. He raced over, feeling for a pulse.

  His hand got batted away.

  "Are you okay?" said Cullen.

  Sharon slowly opened her eyes. "Where have you been, you prick?" she said, slurring her words.

  "I've been working," said Cullen.

  "I called," said Sharon. "No answer."

  "My phone's been off." Cullen's nostrils twitched. "Have you been drinking?"

  "A bit."

  Cullen spotted two empty bottles of wine in the sink. "You're pissed."

  "Why didn't you answer your phone?"

  "It was on mute," said Cullen. "When I saw the missed call, I phoned back. I've tried a few times."

  "I had my phone off," said Sharon.

  "For fuck's sake," said Cullen. "You're pregnant. You can't do this."

  Sharon started crying. "You don't want the baby."

  "I ... do."

  Sharon stared at him. "Well, I don't know if I'm ready for this."

  "You need coffee." Cullen went over to the sink and started filling the kettle. "What are you playing at?"

  Sharon rubbed at her eyes. "Lamb got the job."

  "Oh," said Cullen. "That's what you were calling about?"

  Sharon looked up at him, swaying on the stool. "I needed to speak to you."

  Cullen walked over and rubbed her gently on the arm. "I was in Motherwell. Bain's car got stolen. Mine was written off."

  "I'm more important," said Sharon.

  "I know you are." Cullen ran his hand through his hair. "Jesus Christ. I can't believe this."

  "I'm sorry." Sharon doubled over, heaving with sobs. "Nobody wants me. Turnbull turned me down. You weren't there. I needed you, Scott."

  "I'm sorry." Cullen put his arms around her and hugged tight.

  "I needed a drink," said Sharon. "I can't believe Turnbull. That's the second time he's turned me down for a promotion."

  The kettle clicked off. Cullen went over to make coffee, spooning instant into the mug and topping it up with hot water and lots of milk. "Drink this." He handed it to her.

  "I'll be up all night."

  "It'll maybe sober you up a bit," said Cullen.

  She took the mug and stared into it, steam wafting into her face. "I thought I'd get the job when Crystal Methven got his."

  "You'll get there eventually," said Cullen. "You're good. Turnbull's worked with Lamb for years, that's all."

  "Lamb is an arsehole," said Sharon. "Turnbull asked if I wanted to go on the rape task force in Bathgate."

  "Bathgate."

  "Yeah," said Sharon. "I was looking at houses there."

  "Look, you need to sober up," said Cullen. "I'm not living in Bathgate."

  "I need the toilet."

  Sharon trundled off into the hall, bouncing off the door surround.

  Cullen held his head in his hands. What a fucking mess.

  Friday

  5th April 2013

  CHAPTER 101

  Cullen woke up with a start. Something pinned his legs down. He sat up.

  Yellow eyes stared back at him.

  "Fluffy." He lay down.

  His heart was racing. He'd been up till after midnight with Sharon until the booze overtook the coffee and sent her to sleep. He'd watched TV for another hour, trying to take his mind off it and failing.

  "What's he done?" said Sharon.

  "Woken me up."

  The alarm started up, playing the radio, Expect Delays' new single.

  "Good timing," said Sharon.

  He realised the song was part of the news, the newsreader asking for anyone who might have seen Mike Roberts to come forward. Cullen hadn't know
n they were going public with it, but then he'd been out of the loop while going through the CCTV footage.

  Reaching over, he switched the radio off and his light on. He looked at the mound of duvet next to him. "How are you feeling?"

  "Worse hangover I've ever had," said Sharon, her voice muffled.

  "It was pretty stupid," said Cullen.

  "Don't need to tell me."

  "And I thought I had the monopoly on stupidity in this relationship."

  Sharon came up for air. "I wish you did."

  He looked over at her, eyes scrunched up as she faced into his light. "Did you mean what you said last night?"

  "What?"

  "You said you didn't want the baby," said Cullen. "You're not ready for it."

  She opened her eyes and pushed herself up onto her elbow. "I was pissed. I didn't mean it."

  "I'm worried about you," said Cullen. "It's not just about the baby, either, it's you. You can really fuck your body up doing something like that."

  "I'm sorry," said Sharon. "I don't know what to say."

  "Just tell me you'll not do it again."

  Sharon nodded. "I won't. I was at a low ebb. I couldn't get hold of you. Mum was out at the cinema and I can't speak to Dad about this sort of thing. Chantal was on a case, staking someone out."

  "Okay," said Cullen. "I'm sorry I had my phone off."

  "I forgive you."

  "Maybe in time I'll forgive you." Cullen laughed. "That's a joke, by the way."

  "Everything is with you," said Sharon.

  Cullen pulled himself up, sneezing four times in quick succession.

  "Are you okay?" said Sharon.

  "I'll be fine. I have to go in."

  "I'm as worried about you as you are about me," said Sharon.

  Cullen smiled. "What a pair we are. What are you going to do?"

  "Well, I'm not going into work. I think I'll savour my last hangover for the next seven months. I've got to go the doctor later anyway."

  Cullen feared it was for an abortion. "What for?"

  "My check-up," said Sharon. "Just to confirm I am actually pregnant."

  Cullen nodded, relieved the decision was still in their hands. "Do you want me to come?"