Bottleneck

by Ed James

  "It's ancient history," said McCrea. "Interesting how you get the cold cases whereas we get the live ones through here."

  "It's hardly a cold case," said Cullen.

  "You're lucky you've still got a job after what you said to the gaffer earlier," said McCrea.

  "Right," said Cullen. "After the way he speaks to people?"

  "It's the insubordination," said McCrea. "If you saw that, you might not still be a DC." He grinned. "And bringing up the Hughes case in that interview, big mistake. Thought you'd read through the case?"

  Cullen nodded. "I had. In light of the recent evidence we obtained in Edinburgh, I thought it was pertinent, don't you?"

  "Pertinent?" said McCrea. "Look who's swallowed a dictionary." He folded his arms. "Listen, these aren't the same case and you're barking up the wrong tree."

  Cullen's phone rang. He checked the display - Cargill. "Got to take this." He held the phone up to McCrea, who merely shook his head and looked away.

  Cullen went to the corridor to answer it.

  "Glad you finally answered," said Cargill. "I've been looking for you all day."

  "Sorry, I've been busy."

  "I need you to head to Tulliallan," said Cargill.

  Cullen shut his eyes. Tulliallan wasn't a good sign - the training college was now used as Police Scotland's headquarters until permanent offices were built. "What for?"

  "A certain ex-superior officer of yours has decided to report your behaviour to our mutual DCS."

  CHAPTER 84

  Cullen stood in the corridor in Tulliallan feeling like shite. The cold was definitely in the post.

  He got his mobile out and called Sharon. "I doubt I'll get to this gig tonight."

  "Did you not get my text?"

  "I'm drowning in unread texts today." Cullen hadn't checked his phone all afternoon. "What did it say?"

  "I gave the tickets to Chantal. I don't feel like going."

  "Okay," said Cullen. "I think I've caught your cold."

  "You have been pushing yourself a bit hard," said Sharon.

  "Yeah, I know. And to what end?" He ducked into the stairwell as he saw Bain, McCrea and one of their superiors marching down the corridor. "How are you doing?"

  "Shite," said Sharon. "You?"

  "Had an eventful day. Told a DI to go fuck himself and now I'm going to get battered for it."

  "Methven?"

  "He's been fine for once," said Cullen. "Well, fine for him."

  "Not Bain?"

  "Aye."

  "Jesus, Scott."

  "I know," said Cullen. "I'm at Tulliallan just now. Turnbull and Cargill are meeting me here. I'm going in front of Soutar."

  Sharon laughed. "Getting hauled in front of Turnbull's boss is certainly a way to make your name in the new regime."

  "Bain is having a laugh," said Cullen. "I didn't do anything out of order. There were no witnesses and if he conjures one up then they're lying."

  "Remind me why I go out with you again?" said Sharon.

  "My natural poise and balance."

  She snorted down the phone.

  Turnbull came barrelling down the corridor, wearing full uniform, his face like thunder. Cargill and Methven followed.

  "Better go," said Cullen. "We're going in. I'll call you later."

  "Constable," said Turnbull, acknowledging Cullen. He pushed past him into the room, Cargill following.

  Methven stopped.

  "What's going on, sir?" said Cullen. "Is this about what I allegedly said to DI Bain?"

  "I've no sodding idea," said Methven. "Alison and Jim have been on the phone to their opposite numbers in Glasgow all afternoon and neither spoke in the sodding car. It might be wider than that." He checked his watch. "We're late, so we'd better get in."

  Entering the room, Cullen consoled himself with the idea that Turnbull was finally getting his round table.

  DCS Carolyn Soutar sat at the end of the table and took a roll call.

  Turnbull and Cargill were on one side, across from Bain, McCrea and Turnbull's opposite number, Detective Superintendent Keith Graham.

  There were a couple of faces Cullen didn't recognise, presumably part of Soutar's central team.

  As he sat in the chair next to Cargill, Cullen realised he knew very little about Soutar, but on first impressions she clearly had presence. Unfortunately, she had a voice like Margaret Thatcher.

  "Thank you for gathering here." Soutar looked around the room and made eye contact with every officer present, before licking her lips. "We should not have to put up with this sort of thing so early in the new force. I expected a lot more." Her eyes settled on Cullen. "DC Cullen, I have heard your name a fair amount today. Why?"

  "He's a smart little bastard is why," said Bain.

  "Enough," said Soutar. "It would appear we have managed to get ourselves into a bit of a situation here. I don't know or care how we've got to this but I want to clearly state that, from this point on, both investigations are now formally under Glasgow South direction.

  Turnbull started spluttering an objection but Soutar held up her hand to silence him.

  "Any further incidents of this nature and I shall bring in some of my old colleagues in the Met. I don't have to remind you how bad that will look for the new Scottish police service as a whole, do I?"

  "I don't think it would be prudent to merge the cases," said Turnbull.

  "Please elaborate," said Soutar.

  "While I'm happy to acknowledge there are certain connections," said Turnbull, "are we positive they are, genuinely, one and the same?"

  "They're not," said Bain. "Our boy was killed for drugs. No idea why theirs was."

  "What problem are we trying to solve here?" said Cargill. "It seems like DI Bain and his team are running a different case to us and we have co-operated fully."

  "Go on," said Soutar.

  Cargill cleared her throat. "They've been using one of our best resources, DC Cullen, to run errands in Glasgow when we could have otherwise used him in Edinburgh. Carolyn, you should be aware of DI Bain's reputation for man-management."

  "Now wait a minute," said Bain. "What are you saying, sweetheart?"

  "We've worked together." Cargill left it at that.

  "Don't I know it," said Bain.

  "Carolyn," said Cargill, "DI Bain had to go cap in hand to Strathclyde looking for a new role due to his particular management style."

  Bain stabbed his finger in the air in Cargill's direction. "You watch what you're saying."

  "We don't want to go into the other reason why you're no longer in Edinburgh, do we?" Cargill had a smirk on her face.

  Bain looked away. "I was cleared of any wrongdoing."

  "Assaulting a senior officer would have been a serious mistake," said Cargill.

  "But I didn't actually assault one, did I?" said Bain.

  "Well, you certainly came very close," said Cargill.

  "Are you trying to make a point here, Alison?" said Soutar.

  "DC Cullen's actions were entirely in keeping with a rational reaction to DI Bain's somewhat unorthodox investigation methods," said Cargill.

  "Well, if a junior officer told him to 'go fuck himself', I wouldn't suggest the blame lay with DI Bain," said Soutar.

  "That word is a particular favourite with a certain officer," said Cargill.

  Soutar pursed her lips. "Alison, this is a modern world. While I myself do not use such industrial language, DI Bain is perfectly within his rights to express himself in such a manner."

  "I see." Cargill stared at the table.

  "Regardless, it's not the words DC Cullen used," said Soutar, "but the attitude behind them. I will not tolerate insubordination."

  "I wholeheartedly agree," said Turnbull. "That said, I have strong reservations about the veracity of the allegation."

  "I've just had a phone call from the Chief Constable's office," said Soutar. "Some London lawyers have been making noises regarding one of your officers bringing in Michael Roberts, the
reby putting at risk a concert at Hampden tonight."

  "DC Cullen acted in good faith," said Cargill. "He had a lead. This is a murder case, after all."

  "There is a time and place for everything," said Soutar.

  "And we needed to move," said Cargill. "We had a lead and we acted on it."

  Soutar looked at Cullen. "It's interesting how we have the same officer involved in an act of gross insubordination and with a formal complaint to the Chief's office."

  "An alleged act of insubordination," said Turnbull.

  Soutar narrowed her eyes. "What are you trying to say here?"

  "I don't think the investigation should be placed under DI Bain," said Turnbull.

  "He is not fit for purpose," said Cargill.

  "You better be careful what you're saying, princess," said Bain, "your new boss is listening in."

  "In case you aren't aware," said Cargill, "I'm now a DCI and I'm not subordinate to you."

  Turnbull banged his fist on the table. "I fundamentally disagree with this proposal, Carolyn."

  Graham raised his eyebrows. "Afraid of seeing it done properly?"

  "Hardly." Turnbull looked at Bain. "Brian, I think you're saying these are separate cases."

  "I'm saying ours is a drug-related crime," said Bain. "The evidence I've seen from Sun-, sorry Cullen, has been sketchy at best. I'm not even sure you've got a case, big man."

  "You've broken protocol," said Cullen. "You spoke to a suspect in Edinburgh without seeking our approval first."

  Turnbull cut across him. "Carolyn," he said, his voice pleading, "I'm not sure what we could possibly gain from having these disparate cases under a single MIT."

  "I'm sure you of all people can appreciate there are synergies we can leverage," said Soutar, smiling. "Lothian & Borders, God rest its soul, had some high profile cases over the last few years where investigations weren't particularly well focused."

  "With all due respect," said Turnbull, "DI Bain was responsible for at least one of those cases."

  "He was under your command at the time," said Soutar.

  Turnbull glowered at her, disappointment etched all over his face.

  "While it may be under Glasgow MIT supervision, can I suggest the Edinburgh investigation is managed at arm's reach?" said Methven. "We're forty miles apart and I worry we'll lose agility if we have to seek approval from Detective Super Graham or DI Bain every time we want to speak to a suspect."

  Soutar tapped her pen against her pad for a few seconds. "Very well. I want twice-daily conference calls as long as both are fully active investigations."

  "Very well," said Turnbull.

  Soutar stared at both Turnbull and Graham. "Gentlemen," she said, her voice deep and authoritative, "I expect this to work seamlessly and without further intervention on my part. I will hold both Detective Superintendents accountable if this is not a success."

  Silence lingered in the room.

  "You both know the consequences of another incident."

  CHAPTER 85

  Turnbull led them in search of a meeting room, Cullen and Methven lagging behind.

  "I thought that went better than expected," said Cullen, as he climbed the stairs.

  "How can you say that?" said Methven. "We've lost control of the case."

  "I thought I was going to lose my job."

  "This isn't over yet."

  Turnbull found a room, occupied by two uniformed Inspectors. He marched in. "I need to ask you to vacate this room."

  "Excuse me?"

  "I'm pulling rank." Turnbull pointed to the stripes on his sleeve. "Detective Superintendent James Turnbull."

  They left the room looking irritated.

  "That'll no doubt come back to bite me." Turnbull sat at the head of the table.

  "How did we lose our case?" said Cargill.

  "Bain and Carolyn go back a long way," said Turnbull. "They were both DCs at the same time."

  "Glasgow, right?" said Cullen.

  Turnbull nodded. "Strathclyde as was."

  "Where does the accent come from?" said Cullen.

  "Ten years in the Met," said Turnbull.

  "So, we've lost out because of Bain's old pal's act?" said Cargill.

  "I'm afraid so." Turnbull looked at Methven. "Good work, Colin. You did well there. Some potential leverage."

  "Can we use it to our advantage?" said Cargill.

  "I think so," said Turnbull. "Arm's reach never works. This gives us a certain amount of latitude."

  "Cullen, you'll have to be our eyes and ears on the ground in Glasgow," said Methven.

  Cullen looked up at the ceiling. "I knew that was coming."

  "How's our case going?" said Turnbull.

  "It's on a slight hiatus, sir," said Cargill. "DCs Jain and Buxton are looking into the few remaining options we have. We probably need to think about Crimewatch."

  Turnbull nodded. "That will be good publicity for Police Scotland. We can put Graham and Bain in their boxes if we manage it appropriately."

  "The only suspect we've got so far was under surveillance by Angus CID," said Cargill.

  "Good Christ," said Turnbull, eyes wide. "I'm not still paying for that, am I?"

  "Relax," said Cullen. "He returned to Edinburgh last night."

  "So the surveillance is definitely cancelled?" said Turnbull.

  "Yes," said Methven. "Stopped this afternoon when DC Cullen brought him in for interview."

  "I'm not sure he's a suspect now," said Cullen. "I'd like another go at Roberts."

  Turnbull hit the desk. "No. That's what's got us into this situation in the first place, Constable. The record label is putting severe pressure on us not to interfere. Apparently, supporting U2 will boost their sales figures and ability to turn a profit. We do not want to leave ourselves open to lawsuits. I want no further contact with Roberts without a formal sign-off from both myself and Detective Super Graham."

  "Right," said Cullen.

  "Am I making myself clear?" said Turnbull. "While I do have a lot of time for you, Constable, you have a tendency to get carried away with yourself."

  Cullen clenched his fists under the table. "If anything comes up, sir, I will formally raise it with you through the appropriate channels."

  "Good," said Turnbull. "I'm glad we're coming to an understanding here. We might make a senior officer out of you yet."

  Cargill cleared her throat. "We will need you to resume your secondment to Glasgow South."

  "So that's it," said Cullen, disappointment starting to bite. "I'm back in Glasgow?"

  "That's right," said Cargill. "You'd better head through now. I expect a call from you first thing tomorrow updating me on progress."

  "How is me being stuck through there going to help anything?" said Cullen.

  "We need someone there who is more than aware of DI Bain's modus operandi," said Turnbull. "I need to be apprised of any funny business."

  Cullen shook his head at the orders. "Fine."

  "Is there something you wish to raise?" said Turnbull.

  Cullen leaned back in the chair. He didn't want his balls chewed again, but he was feeling sick to the stomach of the games being played. "Earlier, you were talking about using the distance to our advantage. Two people are dead here. We shouldn't be thinking about politics and positioning, we should be finding out who killed them."

  The reactions on their faces made him immediately regret it.

  "It's not as simple as that," said Turnbull, his voice raised. "Please learn to look at the bigger picture if you want to become a leader, Constable."

  "I think I am looking at it, sir," said Cullen. "Much as I hate DI Bain, we surely need to just get on with it."

  "We must manage this," said Turnbull. "This is outwith our control and we have to wrestle it back." He had lost his tightly guarded temper. "DI Bain has an axe to grind and he's certainly sharpening it. There's no way to get him out of the picture. You saw how they were in there, any further complaints will just get their backs
up."

  "I agree," said Methven.

  Turnbull pointed at Cullen. "You're known as someone who gets results but I will not have you up to your games, okay?"

  Cullen bowed his head. "Sorry, sir."

  "You must become more of a team player if you wish to advance," said Turnbull. "I asked DI Methven to brief you on that when your Acting DS tenure ended."

  "I wasn't briefed," said Cullen.

  Methven glared at him.

  Turnbull frowned at Methven then Cargill. "We're done here." He got to his feet and led Cargill out of the room, leaving Cullen alone with Methven.

  "I'd advise you to watch your mouth when speaking to Superintendent Turnbull," said Methven. "This isn't DI Bain you're dealing with, Constable."

  "Noted," said Cullen, fire burning in his gut.

  "I want you to inform me of your activities on an hourly basis," said Methven.

  "What about DS Rarity?"

  "Come directly to me," said Methven.

  "If I'm to head to Glasgow, someone has to take Buxton back to Edinburgh."

  "Why is he here?"

  "To speak to Roberts," said Cullen. "He knew him."

  "And did he speak to him?"

  "No," said Cullen. "Bain wouldn't let him."

  "For the love of goodness," said Methven. "Right. I'll take him back. Any more of your sodding cowboy heroics, you clear it with me first, okay?"

  CHAPTER 86

  Cullen trudged through the Govan station security and made his way to the Incident Room.

  McCrea looked over, grinning. "We had a bet on. The gaffer reckoned it would be you who'd come. Never one to shy away from a high profile investigation."

  "I'm here to help," said Cullen. "I think it's best if I look for connections to the Edinburgh case, don't you?"

  "Won't get an argument from me," said McCrea. "Just keep yourself out of my hair." He pulled on his jacket and got to his feet. "You're welcome to my desk, by the way. I'm off to see U2."

  He hurried out of the station and left Cullen in the bustle of the Incident Room. He sat down at his desk and stared at the laminated wood.

  U2.

  Of all the tedious, overblown, stadium...

  Cullen hated U2. Despite his punk roots, Cullen's dad loved nothing better than blasting out Sunday Bloody Sunday on a Sunday morning.