Free Stark Contrasts (An Adam Stark novel Book 1) by Peter Carroll Page B

dangerously close to requiring oxygen or treatment for a hernia.

17. Night-time
     
    It's not always easy to relocate them, however, with a bit of effort, I usually succeed. This time it was the hospital helped me track him down. Although, to be fair on them, they were unaware of the aid they'd given me. Nonetheless, they had helped.
    I never fail to be amazed at how extreme the lesson needs to be in order to get the message across. The earlier run-in and admonishment should have been enough of a warning to result in a permanent change of behaviour but, evidently, it wasn't. It's probably because he believed it was so unusual it could never happen again - after all, he'd gone unchallenged for so long prior to the train and the glue. It's also because that's the way people like him are, the way they were raised. They take no shit, they're an individual, with a right to express themselves in any way they see fit. Well, guess what, asshole? You're wrong! You're part of a society that needs you to follow some basic norms. These are things which help us all get along more smoothly, iron out the creases, prevent tensions overspilling.
    He's wandering along with one ear in and one ear out.
    Dissonance personified.
    I'm wandering along after him. Both ears tuned in.
    Righteousness personified.
    The place is ready to receive, even if he's not ready to give.
    The dark surrounds me in it's welcome embrace. My senses are tuned in to every nuance, every whisper. Things that would unnerve others are absorbed and channelled.
    I am very powerful now. Very, very powerful.
    He would not have heard me without any aural distraction – in one ear or two. I think he'll listen from now on though.
    The injection does its work admirably and, after a while, my lesson has been administered satisfactorily.

18. Listen Up People
     
    Along with the rest of my team, I was called to a briefing. A good number of beat cops were there, along with a few detectives. The usual eclectic collection of voices exchanging pleasantries, war stories, insults and jokes. Nobody seemed to know the purpose behind the gathering. I wandered over to Garry and discovered he was none-the-wiser either. We weren't kept in limbo for too long.
    The prick that is Detective Chief Inspector Morris Hargreaves swanned in with his usual air of superiority and contempt, gesturing for us to take our seats. Once the hubbub subsided, he stepped to the front of the room.
    “Ok, listen up, people. We have a vigilante or vigilantes running around this city and we need to start doing something to put a stop to their activities.”
    This was both intriguing and a total ball-ache. I could definitely kiss goodbye to the leave pencilled in for next week. This would be an all-hands-to-the-pump, overtime-fest.
    Vigilantes are bad news for cops. If they choose the right cause, it can make us look like we're not doing our job properly. The man in the street often sides with them; positively roots for them even. Copycats come along and confuse the investigation. The switchboard overloads with hoax and crank calls and the press whip everyone up into a frenzy. Folks start carrying weapons to protect themselves and accidents happen as a result. Gung-ho civilians, intent on helping the cops, start wading into situations they'd be far better staying clear of. Nope, when all things are considered, as far as ordinary coppers are concerned, vigilantes suck - big time.
    Now, detectives, that's a different matter - they love them.
    Vigilantes tend to create complex puzzles which require piecing together carefully; most of them like to goad the cops regarding their inadequacies, so catching them is all the more satisfying; and with all the press coverage they normally get, the detective who solves the puzzle receives public recognition of their achievement, maybe even a promotion.
    DCI Hargreaves relishes holding court like this. A big, juicy case to be solved is right up his alley. He looked particularly