Page 15 of Diamond in the Rough

“Music to my ears.”

Amber got out of the car first, then opened the door for Maddox. “Let’s go get this bitch.”

“Mr Henley!”

Amber’s eyes sprung open, and she looked over the top of the car to the block of flats opposite. Maddox flexed his face to remove his growl, then climbed out of the car.

“What?”

“Police Sergeant Norris.”

“And what can I do for you, Norris?”

“We need you to come down the station.”

“No, thanks, I was there yesterday.”

“We need to ask you some more questions.”

Maddox shook his head. “You had me for seventy-two hours. This is harassment.”

A car crept down the street, the one that had been following Tom. The two staring men got out, attention locked on Maddox.

“Boss?” Amber whispered.

“It’s just harassment. There’s no way they’ve got anything on me.”

“You’re under arrest.” Norris said.

Maddox looked up at the flats and narrowed his eyes. Seven floors up, but he swore he could see the curtains flickering.

“What for?”

“Murder.”

Maddox rolled his eyes. “I didn’t kill Lewis.”

“The murder of Richie Black.”

“I don’t know any Richie Black.”

Norris unclipped the cuffs from his belt and tapped them in his palm. “Come quietly.”

His voice wavered, and Maddox finally turned to him. Sweat beaded on Norris’s forehead, and his eyes were wide with panic. Maddox sighed, then held up his hands to be cuffed. All the officers sagged with relief and led him away from Amber.

Maddox looked pointedly towards the flat, and he knew Amber understood. If Antonia was inside, she was going to wish she wasn’t.

****

“I didn’t think I’d be back so soon,” James said.

Maddox drummed his fingers on the table. “That makes two of us.”

James dropped down in the seat beside Maddox and leaned closer. “What’s their angle?”

“No idea.”

“So I’m going in blind?”

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