Page 23 of Four of Hearts

‘Hello, Harry.’

The voice cut into Harry’s thoughts like a scythe. He lifted his eyes slowly, taking in a man in smart shoes, expensive denims, tan leather jacket, and with mean eyes set in a pale face.

‘Found it, then.’

‘Shall we walk?’

Harry shook his head.

‘Just done that, haven’t we, Smudge? Having me a sit down. You’re welcome to join me.’

‘Welcome?’

‘Slip of the tongue.’

The man sat down beside Harry. Smudge moved away from him, and around to Harry’s other side. Good judge of character, he thought.

‘You wanted to talk,’ he said. ‘Here I am. So, talk.’

‘I’m here to offer you a truce, Harry,’ the man said.

Harry was staring across the green, letting his eyes chase sheep up the hills he could see poking up above the roofs of houses.

‘And your way of proving that is to run my detective sergeant off the road, and nearly blow me and two other officers to smithereens, is it?’

‘That was merely to get your attention. I’m not sure a letter would have sufficed.’

‘So, this truce, then,’ said Harry. ‘What do you mean, exactly? It’s not like we’re at war, is it? I’m not personally involved in any investigations which may or may not be ongoing into whatever it is you’re involved with. Truce seems a very grand term, if you think about it.’

‘I am of the opinion that I will have to up my game somewhat to persuade you of a few things, and how I wish for you to be involved in them. Until that time, I am here to tell you that I promise no harm will come to you or yours. You have my word.You can get married, have your honeymoon, and I will leave you alone. Out of respect. And to get things in order.’

‘And there we are, aren’t we?’ Harry said, for the first time twisting round to face his cousin. ‘Probably don’t think I heard the threat in those last few words, but I did. Couldn’t really miss it. Get things in order? Almost like you think I should prepare myself for something.’

The man smiled.

‘You should,’ he said. ‘You will have some decisions to make, Harry. And soon. But until then?’ He stood up. ‘I will leave you to you and yours. You have a wedding to plan, a honeymoon to go on as well, I hope? You will not hear from me until after, but when you do? Let’s just say that an exploding SUV has nothing on what is waiting for you.’

‘More threats?’ said Harry, then looking his cousin up and down, and he then gestured at him with a nonchalant wave of his hand. ‘You know, you’re actually rather good at this, the whole hardened gangster thing? Suits you. If you keep this up, there’s a chance you might get exactly what you deserve.’

‘And what’s that?’

Harry stood up, got in so quick and so close that his cousin stumbled backwards, only to find that Harry simply followed him, stepped on one of his feet, then grabbed his jacket at the neck.

‘Me,’ Harry said, ‘and I’ll leave the rest to your imagination.’

Harry let go, stepped away, and the man fell away from him, only just managing to stop himself ending up on his backside.

‘Have a good wedding, Harry,’ he said, as he turned to leave. ‘And I hope you’ve understood enough about what I’ve said? Or do I need to make myself more clear?’

‘Oh, I think I understand,’ Harry hissed through clenched teeth.

The man smiled.

‘Do you, though?’ he said. Then he scratched his chin and added, ‘We’ll have to see, won’t we?’

‘No, I won’t,’ said Harry.

The man smiled, then winked, and Harry had to squash the urge to punch that same eye out the back of his skull. Then he walked away, and was gone.