Page 1 of Taming Her

Chapter 1

Griffin Dix swung the patrol car off the main road. “Can you believe those guys?” he chuckled.

His partner Rex was still laughing. “That was the weirdest breakdown call out we’ve ever been to.”

“I mean.” Griff, still smiling, shook his head at the memory. “You’d think they’d get changed out of their show outfits to travel.”

“The ringmaster said they were on a tight schedule. Can’t say I liked the clown though.”

“You got a thing about clowns?” Griff glanced at Rex. “A big tough guy like you.”

Rex feigned a shudder. “Creepy.”

“I know what you mean. Luckily he didn’t cause a crash standing on the side of the road like that. The trapeze artists looked freezing in those little leotard things.”

“Cute though.” Another bout of mirth burst from Rex. “I liked the yellow feathers on their butts.”

Griff joined in the laughter. The Magnificent Marvel breakdown had been a bit of light relief in their night shift. The circus performers though tired were high-spirited after a good show. One even offered to show Griff and Rex their knife-throwing skills, which Griff hastily declined.

“Well, they’re on their way to Hereford now,” Rex said, “horses included.”

“Did you ever go as a kid? To the circus?” Griff asked.

“Yeah, years ago. It was good.”

“Me and my sister loved it.” Griff stopped at a set of lights, his memory going back to childhood. “I seem to remember her threatening to run away and join the circus.”

“And what act was Bethany planning on delighting the crowd with?”

“Plate spinning, she said. I love my sister but she goes through crockery. It’s a family joke.”

Rex chuckled as Griff pulled away. “And what would you do?”

Griff thought for a moment. “Fire eater.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I don’t mind playing with fire, keeps life interesting.”

“Gets you burned.” Rex laughed but he was interrupted with the radio beeping.

“Disturbance reported. City center.”

Rex flicked his coms on. “Six fifty-one. Heading there now. We’ll take it.”

“Landlord of The Blood Hound called it in.”

“We know where that is, will give an update when on scene. Over.”

Griff brought the blue light and siren to life. “Won’t take us long to get there.” He hit the accelerator, the powerful car pressing them back in their seats with the acceleration.

Within minutes they’d pulled up outside The Blood Hound. A tall brick-built pub with high windows. At one time it had been a locals’ drinking pub, now it was a trendy hangout with the occasional live band.

“Doesn’t look too wild,” Rex said, slamming his door then rolling his shoulders.

“You never know, there could be tightrope walkers in there.” Griff grinned and slipped the patrol keys into his pocket. He tapped his belt, a habit to check he had his cuffs and baton.

Pushing thoughts of the last job from his mind, he concentrated on the task at hand. Being a police officer in Bristol meant every shift was different. He loved that, thrived off it. He couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

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