Page 66 of Copper Script
Aaron set himself to it.“So.You were watched that night, and shaken down.Who was this man?”
“He called himself Mr.Twigg.About my height, twice as wide, looked like a right bruiser.Broken nose, and something horrible had happened to his right ear.”
“A prostitute tried to chew it off when he assaulted her,” Aaron said.“Eddie Twigg, a close colleague of Darby Sabini.Blast: I was hoping someone was taking their name in vain.And are you going to see Darby?”
“I’m supposed to do that tomorrow.He’s expecting to hear all about you.I said to Twigg there was nothing to tell, that you were a miserable sod with no friends who had to pay people to eat with you , and I went for the free meal.He just laughed and said good story, tell it to Darby.”
Aaron made himself eat the last mouthful of veal, though it was more fuel than pleasure now.“Tomorrow.What will you say?”
Joel’s eyes narrowed.He shot a glance round then said, very low, “Well, I thought I’d mention that you gave me details of an ongoing case and then sucked my cock.That should sort everything out nicely for us both.What the hell do you think I’m going to tell him?”
Aaron wasn’t sure how this level of aggressive sarcasm could make him feel so warm inside.“All right, but you’ll have to give him something.Darby Sabini is an alarming man.You didn’t ask for any of this and you’re entitled to protect yourself.”
“I was rather hoping you’d protect me, actually.And I haven’t finished, by the way, because after Twigg left, as if today wasn’t shitty enough, I got this.”
He pulled out a letter.Aaron took it, murmuring thanks as Angelo came to take the plates away.It was in his cousin Paul’s hand.
Mr.Wildsmith
You are a liar, a scoundrel, and a slanderer.Your lies have damaged my reputation and caused me material harm and I intend to seek financial redress in the courts unless you make a full public apology and acknowledgment of your dishonesty in mutually agreed terms.
You are reliant on Aaron Fowler lying in court to protect you.Be assured that he will not be able to.His dealings with you are entirely unbefitting a police officer, he has no right to meddle with my private affairs in an official capacity.And your relationship with him is not one that he will wish to admit in court.If he is foolish enough to try I will not concern myself with his reputation when I destroy yours.
Yours sincerely
Paul Napier-Fox
“Christ,” Aaron said.
“Indeed.I’ve a few questions.”
“I’m sure you do.”Aaron wasn’t sure what to say.The sheer barrage on so many fronts was overwhelming.“I’m sorry.I had no idea they would go at you like this.”
Joel sat back.“I’d like to know what’s going on, please, since it’s very much my business now.You can start with who ‘they’ are, because don’t ask me to believe it’s pure chance I’ve had your cousin and the Sabinis come down on me at the same time.”
“I’ll tell you if you like, but not here.”
“Where?”
“My flat?I doubt it makes a difference now.”
“That somehow makes me feel extremely unhappy,” Joel said through his teeth.“Could you possibly do or say something reassuring?”
Aaron wished he could think of what that might be.“Pudding?”
“What?”
“They do delicious puddings here.Would something sweet help?”
“My life is falling apart and you’re recommending pudding.”
“Feeding you has always helped so far,” Aaron pointed out, and there was a tiny relaxation in Joel’s face that emboldened him to add, “They do a thing called dolce Torino—sponge biscuits, chocolate and hazelnuts.It’s delicious.And sweet tea is good for shock, so—”
“—therefore pudding must be?”Joel finished.“I’d call you an idiot except that I didn’t have any lunch because of all the fuckery and actually I am in no hurry to find out how my life is going to be upended for the, what, fourth time, so yes, why not, let’s have pudding.You’re paying.”
Angelo arrived in response to Aaron’s raised hand.Aaron asked for a dolce Torino for his friend and another glass of wine for them both, and got a raised eyebrow from Joel.“Are we making a night of it?”
Yes, Aaron could have said, in a different life.I’m going to watch you eat chocolate and make those noises of pleasure that go straight to my groin, and we’re both going to have that second glass and go back to my flat, and then—
