Windchill by Ed James Read Free Book Online

probably my hangover talking."
    Buxton laughed as they got in the car. "What do you reckon's going on here?"
    "I've absolutely no idea, but I don't like that guy."
    "Worse than Young?"
    "Maybe. I can't stand rugger buggers."
    "So, back to Methven then?"
    "Guess so. Much as I'd like to go off on one of my wanders, I don't see where else we can go."
    Buxton tapped the steering wheel. "What about going to the Living Room to check the story out?" A shrug. "It's on the way."
    "Aye, fuck it." Cullen grinned as he tugged the seatbelt on. "You're starting to sound like me."
    "Shit."

Chapter 11

    Cullen stood staring at the Living Room, a chunk of George Street townhouse given over to style bar boozing. Don't think about last night. A modern extension jutted out from the old stone, the row of windows reminding him of an American diner. "I hate this place."
    Buxton frowned. "Quite like it."
    "Not my sort of bar."
    "What about Tigerlily?"
    "That's definitely the last time Chantal Jain books the Christmas do. Cops shouldn't be drinking somewhere like that."
    "Wonder if they've cleaned the sink yet."
    "Drop it."
    Smirking, Buxton flashed his warrant card at the bouncers on the door before entering the bar, shaking his head as they crossed the floor. "Can't believe they've got bouncers on already."
    "They'll need them tonight." Cullen looked around the room, the place staffed by a gang of waiters dressed in black uniforms paired with long white aprons. He made for the bar. One of the staff raised an eyebrow and cupped his ear. Cullen flashed his warrant card. "Can we speak to the manager?"
    "I'll just get him." He wandered to the back, tapping a burly man on the shoulder and speaking in his ear.
    Buxton looked Cullen up and down. "Not getting any flashbacks, are you?"
    "Trying to avoid thinking, full stop."
    The bar manager came over, dressed in black. His eyebrows were pockmarked by piercings but he'd left the rings out. "Paul Gellatly. Can I help?"
    "We need to speak to you about some people who were drinking in here last night."
    "What sort of people?"
    "It's relating to a murder inquiry, sir."
    "Of course. I see." Gellatly took a deep breath before smiling. "Just follow me." He led them through the bar into the extension, finding a free table in the window. "Please, have a seat."
    Cullen sat on a long bench and got out his notebook. "We're looking to identify a group of men who were in here last night."
    Gellatly sat opposite them on an armchair, fingers rubbing his palms. "Got anything that'll help narrow that down?"
    Cullen grinned. "They were from Juniper Green rugby club."
    "Oh. Them." Gellatly rolled his eyes. "Aye, they were in. Had a table booking."
    "Do you know who seated them?"
    "I do, aye. Me. We were short-staffed last night so I had to earn my corn on the floor."
    "Can you describe them?"
    "They were pretty rowdy." Gellatly tapped the table. "Sat right here, in fact."
    "How many people are we talking?"
    "I think there were seven of them, maybe eight? I can check the till roll if that would help?"
    "It would." Cullen made a note, the ink in his pen starting to dry up. "What time did they get here?"
    "Booking was for five, I think. We kicked them out at eleven."
    "You mean you set the bouncers on them?"
    "No, it was closing time." Gellatly laughed. "Looked like they were heading to a club or a lappy. There were a few times I almost set the bouncers on them but they were big lads, you know? To be fair, they weren't causing much mischief. They were just being loud and obnoxious. I wish they'd keep that for the rugby club. They can be worse than squaddies."
    Cullen reached into his pocket to retrieve a photo of McCoull, handing it to Gellatly. "Did you see this man?"
    Gellatly took one look at it and nodded. "Aye. I recognise the boy all right."
    Cullen retrieved the photo. "So he was with them?"
    "Definitely."
    "Did you see him leave?"
    Gellatly frowned. "Not sure."
    "Was it with the others?"
    "Can't remember. They left after