Cowboys and Indians Read Free Page B

Scott?’
    ‘The baby?’
    ‘Of course it’s the baby.’
    ‘It’s been over a year.’
    ‘Scott, she’d be six months old now.’ She shut her eyes. ‘It takes years to get over something like that.’
    ‘Most people try again. Most people want it in the first place.’
    ‘What the hell’s that supposed to mean?’
    ‘Nothing. I want you to be okay.’
    ‘I still feel—’ She glared at him. ‘I don’t know…’
    ‘You’re disgusted by me, right?’
    ‘It’s not you, Scott. It’s just … sex.’
    He swallowed. ‘I don’t want to force myself on you.’
    ‘It’s not like that.’
    ‘What is it, then?’
    ‘I just don’t know. There’s just so much crap in my head. Stuff I can’t pick out from all the noise.’ She nibbled at a fingernail and took another sip of wine. ‘Can’t believe I let myself get into that situation in the first place.’
    ‘Situation? Having a kid with me’s a situation?’
    ‘Isn’t it?’
    ‘Come on, we’ve both got good jobs. It’s not like we’d be bringing her up on benefits or whatever.’
    ‘I can’t believe I let myself get pregnant.’
    ‘That takes two, you know. It’s my fault as much as yours.’
    She pinched her nose. ‘Look, I need to work out how I feel, okay?’
    ‘Sorry, I just thought, you know…’ He shrugged.
    ‘It’s okay.’ She stroked his cheek. ‘Let’s try again in the morning. We’re both off work.’
    He grabbed her in his arms, kissing her on the top of her head. ‘Take all the time you need, okay?’

    *   *   *

    Cullen blinked at the light, sun streaming through the bedroom window. Warm skin caressed his back, fresh perfume. The firm stub of a nipple dug into his shoulder blade. ‘You’re awake, then?’
    Sharon pecked him on the neck. ‘Do you need more sleep?’
    ‘It’s okay.’ Cullen spotted the alarm clock. 07:53. Way too early. He rolled over and put an arm around her.
    Hair tied up. Some makeup. Lipstick glistened in the light. She leaned forward, eyes closing, and kissed him. Wet lips on his.
    He pulled her close, his cock already erect, brushing her thigh through his shorts. Bursting for a piss. He sucked her nipple. Then lay back. ‘I need to go to the toilet.’
    She leaned back on the pillow, hand on her forehead. ‘I just cleaned the sink yesterday.’
    ‘Very good.’ Cullen hopped through, his abdomen tingling. He sat on the seat, still warm. Urine splashed on the porcelain. He let out a breath. That’s better.
    His phone blasted out from the hall, clattering drums and jangling guitar. Crystal by New Order. He wandered through and checked the display.
    Methven calling…
    Stared at the bedroom door for a second before answering it. ‘Sir.’
    ‘Cullen, I need you to attend a crime scene at Dean Bridge.’
    ‘Supposed to be my day off.’
    ‘Mine too. Had to cancel my sodding triathlon.’
    Cullen let out a sigh. ‘What’s happened?’
    ‘There’s a body.’
    ‘I’ll be about an hour.’
    ‘Now, Sergeant.’
    ‘I’ll be as quick as I can. What’s—’  
    The line clicked dead.
    ‘—happened?’ Cullen sighed as he ended the call. He dumped the phone back on the ledge in the hall and stomped through to the bedroom, perching on the edge of the bed. ‘I’ve got to go to work.’
    Sharon pulled the duvet up to her neck. ‘Right.’
    ‘I’m sorry. You know what it’s like.’
    ‘Don’t I just.’

Sunday
    18th May 2014

Four

    Cullen pulled up at the side of the road, leaving just enough room for the Bell’s Brae traffic to scrape past Sharon’s orange Focus. Still hadn’t replaced the battered Golf he’d totalled last year. He got out and traipsed down the cobbles, damp from the morning’s rain. He turned right and trudged past wild trees, cars and a mill building. The water of Leith thundered on the left, heavy after a week-long deluge. Typical for an Edinburgh May.
    A SOCO van filled the gap at the end. On the left, a few uniforms took statements on benches around