Free The Big Mitt (A Detective Harm Queen Novel Book 1) by Erik Rivenes Page A

from what I’ve heard.”
    “What have you heard, sir?”
    “Congenial, companionable. You’ve made many friends in Minneapolis who have kind words about you.” Ames’s teeth bared into a thin smile.
    “I’ve friends, like everyone, and enemies like everyone,” Queen said. “More enemies than most.”
    “But your friends swear by your trustworthiness and agreeable nature.” He paused for a moment, and glanced at the door. “Mr. Cahill and I had that kind of relationship in the war. We had and have a mutual trust. I want that with you as well.”
    Queen wondered what the hell kind of relationship a colonel has with a private. “I just don’t like men going around shooting young girls.” He felt his anger rising as he spoke. “How do I explain to her parents when they ask what happened? How is it possible to hide this?”
    “We’re not hiding what happened. We’re just not talking about it. Have her parents come forward yet?”
    “I haven’t found them.”
    “Do you really think, Detective Queen, that you will? I’d wager they already believe her dead.”
    “If she were my daughter I’d want to know what happened.”
    Colonel Ames shook his head and opened the door. “Let it be. We have enough to worry about without a murder that instigates torch-carrying mobs. I need to go now. See to it that Mr. Cahill is given proper preparation when he’s officially salaried this week. And please…” He stared intently into Queen’s eyes. “No more of this. We shall see that Mr. Dander is punished. I’ll personally make sure he’s crushing rock in Stillwater Prison by the end of the month. It just won’t be for murder.”
    “Is there nothing more I can say? I think if I explained to Mayor Ames what I believed happened, he might see the light.”
    Queen caught a momentary flash of malice in the colonel’s eyes. Then Ames gave Queen a loose pat on the shoulder, like a master to his obedient lap dog. “I speak on his behalf, Detective. Let us start our professional relationship off on a good foot. From now on, he will not need to know anything from you, or any of the other detectives, about any police matters. I know your history together is long, but I will be his filter and only pass on the most necessary information. And please keep this conversation private from Cahill. I don’t want any distractions from his training.”
    Queen could barely contain his fury. Not only was he being told not to investigate the girl’s murder, but there was now a gatekeeper between him and the new mayor. And he was being handed the leash to the colonel’s pet. He willed himself to give the most perfunctory of nods in response, and found himself pushing past the colonel and out into the corridor. In a half-dozen long strides he was out the door and into the cold night air. The winter sting froze his lungs as he inhaled deeply. He walked quickly, not wanting the Cahill kid or anyone else following him.
    It was late, at least 10:30, and the stars glittered seductively in the low ebony sky. Queen saw members of a bicycle club on the corner, preparing for an evening ride. Bicycle clubs were all the rage in Minneapolis these days, even on the most bone chilling of winter nights. A group called the Flour City Cyclists rode at midnight from their clubhouse at 18th and Park to Fort Snelling and back, often with groups of revelers sending them off on their slippery adventures.
    This was a pack of high-school aged youths, and the five of them stood next to their bikes, joking together and trying to hold cigarettes in their mittened hands. Electric streetlights glowed comfortingly, and as Queen buttoned up his ulster he began to relax, especially the farther he walked from the source of his anger. He’d made up his mind to interrogate Dander as soon as Colonel Ames had told him not to, and figured all the activity tonight might distract attention from him, should he decide to make a little trip down to the jail. A final swig from