Bottleneck

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Book: Read Bottleneck for Free Online
Authors: Ed James
officers?"
    "Is it that obvious?" said Cullen, showing his warrant card.
    "I've got a knack," said the man, reaching out a hand. "Paul Temple."
    Cullen introduced them.
    Temple frowned at Buxton. "Do I know you?"
    Buxton nodded. "Used to rent a room here."
    "That'll be it," said Temple.
    "Have you owned this place long?" said Cullen.
    "A few years," said Temple. "Can I ask what this is about?"
    "The body found near the practice rooms," said Cullen.
    "I've already spoken to DI Methven," said Temple. "That's your boss, I take it?"
    "It is," said Cullen. "We don't have identification of the body yet but we have a potential lead. A James Strang, AKA Jimi Danger."
    Temple turned back to his laptop. "In The Invisibles , right?"
    "We believe so," said Buxton. "What can you tell us about him?"
    "I've got names, addresses and phone numbers for the whole band," said Temple. "I trust you've got a warrant?"
    "Could easily get one," said Cullen. "Alternatively, I could make it difficult for you to cash in on the find."
    "How do you mean?" said Temple.
    "Don't tell me it's not crossed your mind to run ghost tours down there," said Cullen.
    Temple sniffed. "It might have done, aye."
    "Well, I could keep that place closed off for a very long time," said Cullen, "or I could have a word with the city council to keep it shut permanently."
    "Right." Temple slouched back, before clicking the mouse. A large laser printer behind him whirred to life and he swung round to collect a sheet of paper. "Here you go."
    Cullen checked the sheet before pocketing it. "Why do you keep these?"
    "We want to know who's renting from us in case we need to reclaim cash," said Temple. "You wouldn't believe how often people don't pay, deposit or no, even with a room full of vintage guitars, valve amps, PAs and drum kits."
    "Did you know Mr Strang?" said Buxton.
    Temple shook his head slowly. "Can't say I did. Get a lot of bands through here every year."
    Cullen thanked him then led outside into the cold air. "What do you reckon?"
    "Dodgy as fuck," said Buxton. "Still, as long as you got the list of names out of him we're doing okay."
    Cullen took the list out again and scanned it. "Looks like this Alex Hughes who reported it was in the band."
    "What do you want to do?"
    "I'll start calling through the list."
    "Sure thing."
    "I better head home to see how Sharon is."
    "Give her my regards." Buxton unlocked the car. "See you back at the ranch, Sundance."
    Cullen scowled at him. "Less of that."

CHAPTER 12

    As Cullen hurried up the hill, he dialled the names on the list.
    Beth Williamson's phone seemed to be disconnected.
    The number for Alex Hughes was the one Buxton had already tried and still wasn't answered.
    He tried David Johnson. The call went to voicemail. As he left his number, he wondered when it would feel natural to say he was calling on behalf of Police Scotland. He hoped Johnson returned the call as he didn't fancy trying to trace the band members, especially when it wasn't definite the body was Strang.
    He turned into World's End Close and climbed the stairs to the flat. Sharon was sprawled on the settee, the cat lying trustfully at her feet while he turned a mass of used hankies into a nest. Her eyes flickered open and she groaned.
    "How are you doing?" he said.
    "Been sick all day," said Sharon.
    "Sick?"
    "Ill, unwell."
    "Right," said Cullen. "I better not catch it."
    "Always thinking about yourself," said Sharon.
    "Who'll look after you if I'm ill?" said Cullen.
    "It's the other way around, Scott."
    "Okay, Grumpy-drawers," said Cullen. "Do you need anything?"
    "Angela came round with the baby," said Sharon. "She got me some soup, so I'm fine."
    "I bumped into her at the station," said Cullen.
    "She said."
    "Oh."
    "You need to talk about your attitude to kids," said Sharon.
    Cullen's phone rang. "Saved by the bell," he said, holding it up before answering, not recognising the number.
    "Is that Detective Sergeant Scott Cullen?" The voice was English.
    "It

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