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the opposite direction into a plush first-floor room overlooking George Square, the view of the gardens marred by the abomination of the library and lecture theatres. She sat at her desk and put her glasses on, before taking a drink from a cup. "Can I get you a tea or coffee?"
    "No, I'm fine, thanks." Cullen got out his notebook. "I take it Caroline hasn't turned up for work?"
    Armstrong grimaced. "No, I'm afraid not."
    "Has she called in sick?" said Cullen.
    Armstrong shook her head. "No, she hasn't."
    "Has this sort of thing happened before?"
    "Absolutely not." Armstrong took another drink. "There were times when young Jack - that's her son - when he wouldn't be well, but she would always have called in by the time I got here. And I'm always in early, I can assure you."
    Cullen didn't doubt it. "How would you describe your relationship with Caroline?"
    "Professional."
    "I see." Cullen imagined Armstrong didn't have many close friends. "So you weren't friends as well as colleagues?"
    Armstrong folded her arms. "I don't fraternise with my staff. Caroline was on good terms with my girls. Of course, there were the girls we had before Kelly and Lesley. Amy and Debi. All three of them used to go out for a glass of wine of a Friday night. I just let them get on with it."
    Cullen smiled. "Amy Cousens called this in and we plan to see Debi Curtis next."
    "Very well."
    "Do the current girls go out with her for a drink, do you know?"
    Armstrong gave a slight shrug. "I don't think so. Not with young Jack on the scene these days. Caroline always rushed home at five on the dot to see him."
    "Would any of the academic staff know anything about Caroline?"
    Armstrong shook her head. "We operate a strict though informal demarcation between the administration staff and the academic staff in this office. It helps to keep it working efficiently and effectively."
    "I see. So none of them would be particularly acquainted with Ms Adamson?"
    "Aside from asking her to photocopy lecture notes or re-arrange seminars," said Armstrong, "there would be very little direct interaction. All of the work comes through myself."
    "I know you and Ms Adamson had a strictly professional relationship," said Cullen, "but how had she seemed over the last few weeks?"
    Armstrong furrowed her brow and paused for a moment. "I would say that, on reflection, Caroline had seemed a tad distant, but then she was often like that. Having a young son has been quite a strain on her, what with her being on her own."
    "Did Caroline talk about her ex-husband often?" said Cullen.
    "Seldom." Armstrong's expression seemed to warn him not to plough too far down that furrow.
    Cullen ignored the perceived warning. "And when she did?"
    Armstrong's nostrils flared slightly. "Never in good terms. She took a couple of weeks leave to get her affairs in order when the divorce was going through." Her expression got sourer. "Terrible business."
    "And did anything untoward happen at the time?"
    "Not that I knew of."
    Cullen smiled. "Okay, one last question then. Did she mention anything about having a new man in her life?"
    "Nothing at all, I'm afraid."
    Cullen had exhausted all avenues of questioning. "Thanks for your help, Mrs Armstrong." He got to his feet and handed her a card. "If you hear from Caroline, please get in touch."

seven

    Miller was waiting for Cullen in the corridor. They didn't speak until they were outside.
    "I'm totally starving, man," said Miller. "You'd been for your rolls when I got back. Can I go get a sandwich now?"
    "There's a decent place round the corner." Cullen led him past Appleton Tower and on to Potterrow. "Did you manage to get anything?"
    "Only thing those pair were worried about was her weight," said Miller. "She'd been getting quite thin. Typical birds."
    "Did they know why?"
    Miller shrugged. "New man on the scene. Wanted to look her best."
    Cullen could well imagine. "Anything else?"  
    "They were both pretty fit." Miller laughed. "Glad you weren't in