Free The Twisted Knot by J.M. Peace Page A

would it be like to have him at the station? Just the thought made her chest tighten. She told herself he wouldn’t be looking over her shoulder, checking up on her. He wasn’t like that. Also, she would be senior to him. If anything happened at home, he would still have to stay in his place at work. It would be good to have him here , she told herself. He would be on her side.
    But she couldn’t imagine him walking through the back door with the uniform on.

19
    Aiden didn’t mind night work. Especially in winter when nothing moved in the night air and daytime was the perfect temperature for sleeping. The humidity of a summer night seemed to wind some people right up. Not that he minded a bit of action. Going toe-to-toe with a drunk in the pub or wrestling a wife-beater usually gave him immense satisfaction. But he hadn’t joined the police to punch on with punters. He was on his way to bigger and better things. There was no doubt in his mind that he was destined to climb up through the ranks. He was a leader, someone who could make decisions and see them through. He knew how to use his authority and wouldn’t back down.
    Not like Tom – he was a follower. Sure, he could handle himself in a tense situation. But he was too concerned about what other people thought, seemed to have trouble making unpopular decisions and following them through. But that’s why the two of them got on. He let Aiden call the shots.
    It had been Tom’s turn to drive and, being a Saturday night, he’d taken the paddy wagon. As they drove down the main street, they saw a rowdy group forming at the front of the Royal. The wagon may come in handy tonight. Five men were on the footpath making a rough circle. There were yells and jostling among them. Something was brewing.
    â€˜Let’s see what’s going on,’ Tom said, mounting the kerb and pulling up with two wheels on the footpath. They jumped out and approached the men. The group split apart so they were all facing the police.
    â€˜Evening, gentlemen,’ Tom said. ‘What’s going on tonight?’
    Aiden scanned the faces, looking for any of the usual suspects.
    â€˜Nothing to worry about here.’
    Aiden didn’t recognise the man who spoke, didn’t think he was a local. He looked to be in his early forties, but also looked as if life had been unkind to him.
    The man took a step towards Tom and continued. ‘We’re just sorting out how to do your job for you.’ The words came on a wave of liquor fumes.
    Aiden stepped between them. Tom’s ‘softly, softly’ approach wasn’t going to cut it here. ‘Have I met you?’ he asked curtly.
    â€˜No. You haven’t been here long, have you?’
    â€˜Long enough. What’s your name?’
    â€˜Eric Lutczyk.’ He said it as if Aiden should know who he was.
    â€˜And what job is it that you think you’re going to do for us?’
    â€˜Getting rid of that kiddy fiddler. You blokes aren’t doing anything.’ He shifted his weight as if he was getting ready to shape up.
    â€˜Might seem that way to you. But these things don’t happen overnight.’ Aiden had heard some of the story, about the mob at the station and the raft of rumours. He had no idea how the investigation was going.
    â€˜Jail’s too fucken good for him anyway,’ Eric said.
    One of the other men put his hand on Eric’s shoulder. ‘C’mon, mate, let’s go,’ he said.
    But Eric wasn’t ready to back down. ‘Someone’s got to do something permanent. It’s time to wipe him off the face of the earth.’
    â€˜Are you making threats?’ Aiden said.
    â€˜So what if I am? You lot aren’t going to do anything about it.’
    â€˜A smarter man wouldn’t brag about crimes to a copper.’
    â€˜I’m not scared of you. I’ll say what I like. There’s a crim in town who needs to be taken