Even dogs in the wild Read Online Free PDF Page B

demeanour of a prize bull. No
    handshakes, just down to business.
    ‘For the record,’ Compston said, ‘we know this is shite,
    yes?’
    He seemed to require an answer, so Fox gave something that
    could have been construed as a nod of agreement.
    ‘But in the spirit of cooperation, here we all are.’ Compston
    stretched out an arm, taking in the room. The desks were
    sparsely furnished – just laptops and mobile phones, plugged
    into chargers. Almost no paperwork and nothing pinned to the
    walls. Compston took a step forward, filling Fox’s field of
    vision, so he knew who was in charge. ‘Now I know what your

    boss is thinking: he’s thinking you’re going to run straight back
    to him every five minutes with the latest gossip. But that
    wouldn’t be very wise, Detective Inspector Fox. Because if
    anything leaks, I know for a fact as hard as my last shit that it
    won’t have come from my team. Is that clear?’
    ‘I think I’ve some lactulose in my drawer, if that would
    help.’
    One of the detectives gave a snort of laughter, and even
    Compston eventually broke into a brief smile.
    ‘You know I used to be Professional Standards,’ Fox
    ploughed on. ‘That means I’ve got a fan club here with
    precisely no members. Probably explains why Maxtone chose
    me – keeps me out of his hair. Besides which, I don’t expect he
    thinks this is going to be a laugh a minute. You might need me
    and you might not. I’m happy to sit on my arse playing Angry
    Birds for the duration – salary still goes into my bank.’
    Compston studied the man in front of him, then turned his
    head towards his team.
    ‘Initial assessment?’
    ‘Standard Complaints wanker,’ a man in a light blue shirt
    said, seeming to act as the voice of the group.
    Compston raised an eyebrow. ‘Alec isn’t usually so effusive.
    On the other hand, he seldom gets people wrong. Standard
    Complaints wanker it is. So let’s all sit down and get
    uncomfortable.’
    They did, and introductions were finally made. The blue
    shirt was Alec Bell. He was probably in his early fifties, a good
    five or six years older than Compston. A taller, younger,
    undernourished-looking officer went by the name of Jake
    Emerson. The only woman present was called Beth Hastie. She
    reminded Fox a little of the First Minister – similar age, haircut

    and facial shape. Finally there was Peter Hughes, probably the
    youngest of the team, dressed for the street in a padded denim
    jacket and black jeans.
    ‘I thought there were six of you,’ Fox commented.
    ‘Bob Selway’s otherwise engaged,’ Compston explained.
    Fox waited for more.
    ‘That makes five,’ he said.
    The group shared a look. Compston sniffed and shifted a
    little in his chair.
    ‘Five it is,’ he stated.
    Fox noted that no ranks had been mentioned. It was clear
    Compston was in charge, with Bell as his trusted lieutenant.
    The others seemed like foot soldiers. If he had to guess, he’d
    say they hadn’t known each other for any great length of time.
    ‘Whatever it is you’re up to, there’s a surveillance element,’
    Fox said. ‘You’ll appreciate that surveillance used to be a big
    part of my job, so that might be the one skill I have that’d be
    useful to you.’
    ‘Okay, smart-arse, how did you work that out?’
    Fox’s eyes met Compston’s and stayed there. ‘Selway is
    “otherwise engaged”. Meantime Hughes is dressed so he
    doesn’t stand out in certain situations. He looks fairly
    comfortable, too, which means he’s done it before.’ Fox
    paused. ‘How am I doing?’
    ‘Maxtone really didn’t tell you?’
    Fox shook his head, and Compston took a deep breath.
    ‘You’ll have heard of Joseph Stark?’
    ‘Let’s pretend I haven’t.’
    ‘Your boss hadn’t heard of him either. Unbelievable.’
    Compston made show of shaking his head. ‘Joe Stark is a

    Glasgow gangster of long and ugly standing. He’s sixty-three
    years old and not quite ready to pass the baton to his