Bottleneck Read Online Free PDF Page A

said Buxton. "I'm still not convinced there aren't more in the four hundred odd we've put to one side."
    "We'll see if this gives us anything," said Cullen. He frowned - he could hear a baby screaming. He looked but couldn't see anything. "I bloody hate people bringing their kids in."
    Buxton laughed. "You're a ray of sunshine today."
    Cullen almost smiled. "You used to be in a band, right?"
    Buxton nodded. "I did, yeah. Six years ago now. Had one of them rooms on Niddry Street, too. They were like gold dust but somehow we spawned it. We were there four times a week at the start but then things fell apart and we gave it all up. In the end, it was just a storage space for our amps and drum kit."
    "I heard that Expect Delays single on the radio this morning," said Cullen.
    "Oh aye," said Buxton. "I supported them once, back in the day. Bunch of wankers."
    "They were wankers before they were famous?" said Cullen.
    Buxton snorted. "Complete pricks. We played with them just before they released their first single. The way they were talking, it was like the Beatles releasing Abbey Road or something."
    They reached the front of the queue and ordered.
    "No roll this morning?" said Barbara, Cullen's favourite canteen worker.
    "Trying to be a bit healthier," said Cullen.
    "What's wrong with my food?"
    "Nothing," said Cullen, "just trying to avoid bacon and mayonnaise."
    Barbara shook her head. "That'll not do."
    Cullen thought she didn't seem herself. "You okay?"
    "It's these cuts. I'm worried I'm going to lose my job. There was a bit in the paper this morning about getting rid of non-police resources. That means me."
    Cullen smiled, trying to raise her spirits. "You're hardly going to be replaced, are you?" He thumbed at Buxton. "Can't see Simon here making such good coffee."
    Buxton snorted. "I worked as a barista, you cheeky fucker."
    Barbara pointed at him. "I've warned you lot before about your language."
    "Sorry," said Buxton, head bowed.
    Barbara scowled. "At least the worst of your lot has gone. Mouth like a toilet, that one."
    "I'm sure you'll be fine," said Cullen.
    "I heard someone say they're thinking of shutting this place down," said Barbara. "They've got to save millions in Edinburgh."
    "You'll be okay," said Cullen.
    "It's my girls I worry about," said Barbara, as she handed them their coffees.
    They scanned the room, looking for a table.
    "Now I see why there's always a massive queue," said Buxton, "she just will not shut up."
    "Just because she told you off for your potty mouth," said Cullen, as they sat down. "You okay about all the restructuring stuff?"
    Buxton avoided Cullen's gaze. "Yeah, I'm fine."
    "You sure?"
    "Not really, no. I think I've got the record for the longest Acting DC tenure in Lothian & Borders' history. At least you know you're in SCD."
    Police Scotland would be separated into East, West and North, but CID resource would be split into local response teams and the new Specialised Crime Division. Most likely, Cullen would fall into the Edinburgh Major Investigation Team.
    Cullen sat back and blew on his coffee. "I don't know what grade I'll be."
    "You know you'll be there, though," said Buxton. "That's something I don't have."
    "Do you want me to speak to Cargill or Turnbull?" said Cullen.
    "I don't know," said Buxton. His eyes darted up just as a strong hand grabbed Cullen's shoulder.
    "Sergeant."
    Cullen spun around. He smiled when he saw who it was. DS Bill Lamb. Cullen worked with him on a couple of cases out in East Lothian.
    "How you doing?" said Cullen, getting up to shake hands.
    "I'm well," said Lamb. "Very well."
    Cullen reached over to stroke Lamb's top lip. "What's happened to the moustache?"
    Lamb flinched. "I'd grown out of it."
    "It wasn't at the other half's insistence?" said Cullen.
    "Might have a bit to do with it."
    Cullen gestured at Buxton. "Have you guys met?"
    "Not had the pleasure," said Lamb, offering his hand. "Bill Lamb."
    "No, we have," said Buxton. "The Mandy Gibson case