Page 7 of Samuel's Heart

“When are you back here? We need to go out for drinks.”

“Let me get over the painkillers’ help and then you have a date.”

He laughs and I join in, trying to leave whatever is worrying me out of the call for now.

“Is there anything I can do for you?”

A policeman is always a policeman.

“Yeah, I need a favour. Can you do some checks on a guy? I’ll send you the name by text and his phone number. I need full checks.”

“Anything I need to worry about?”

“Nah, it’s all good. Just making sure he is who he claims to be.”

“I’ll make sure to leave no stone unturned.”

“Thanks, Henry. I owe you one.”

“Keep safe, and get well soon.”

“Will do. And Henry, thanks again.”

As soon as I end the call, I text him the details, then start the car, ready to drive home.

The second call won’t be as easy as this one, and I need to relax a bit before calling the only person who can help me. He’s going to push all my buttons and make me regret the call, but even so, he’ll help me, because he owes me.

As soon as I’m comfortable on my sofa, I search for his number.

“What can I do for you?” he says as soon as the call engages.

Aidan is a fucking machine. No words or movement happen if it’s not calculated a thousand times before he acts.

“I need to find someone,” I say, but then think better of it when his answer is as sharp as always.

“I thought you were the police.” No change in his tone. Yep, a machine.

“Haha. Very funny.”

“So, who’s this someone you’re looking for?”

“Actually, I’m not sure how many people I need to find,” I say, my cheeks hit with embarrassment at having to ask him. Also, for being unable to ask for what I want, and for losing face with someone I’m not sure I like. He’s too cold, too calculating. Nota person I would feel comfortable giving my back to. But yet, everyone else seems to respect and like him—likemay be too big a word though, so maybe they appreciate what he does.

“Do you even know what you’re looking for?” He chuckles, but it doesn’t sound like he found what I said funny. He gives me the chills.

“My bad. I’m looking for people who have received organs from one person.”

“You know that family members can exchange letters with these people.” He says that, but he sounds like he knows the person I’m petitioning for is not part of the donor family.

“I’m aware.”

“Can I trust you know this person well enough to bet your career on them?”

Fuck, he always knows where to punch to make it hurt.

“I’m having checks done on him.”

“I could have done that for you as well.” The way he says it makes it clear he’ll do them anyway. With whatever power he has backing him up, he can reach deeper than I’ll ever be able to. I’m grateful in some ways, and furious in others. I don’t like that he’s allowed to play above the law, but it’d be hypocritical to say anything, as I’m doing the same thing right now.

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