Page 130 of Reinventing Cato
Just before six, Aaron Decker walked into the room with another man. Vigge slipped his hand into his pocket and activated the record function on his phone. The footballer was a tall, good-looking black guy with striking eyes and a wary expression on his face. He didn’t make a good job of disguising that he recognised Cato, though he blanked his face quickly.
The other guy spoke first. “Peter Simons. I’m Aaron’s agent. What can we do for you?”
“I need a private word with Aaron,” Cato said.
“Anything you want to say to Aaron, you say with me next to him.”
“Peter?” Aaron said quietly.
“Shut up,” Simons snapped.
“It’s okay. I’ll speak to them,” Aaron said. “You can wait outside.”
“I stay or you don’t talk to them at all.” His agent crossed his arms.
“We could go to a police station, if you’d rather,” Cato said.
“What’s this about?” Simons asked. “Are you the guy who rang me, wanting to talk to Aaron and threatening me with the police?”
“This could have been avoided.” Cato looked at Aaron. “Remember threatening to break my legs?”
The agent gasped and Aaron gulped.
“Are you arresting him?” Simons asked. “Don’t say a word, Aaron. I’ll call the lawyer.” He reached for his phone.
“No legs have been broken,” Cato said quickly. “No one’s going to be arrested. Aaron’s done nothing wrong. I just need help.”
“Peter, it’s okay,” Aaron said. “Go and get a coffee or something.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea. You—”
“I said get a coffee,” Aaron barked, finally finding his voice.
The agent’s cheek twitched but he left the room.
“What’s going on?” Aaron asked.
“Where were you on the thirteenth of September?” Vigge asked.
“Are you really a policeman?”
“Yes.”
A muscle twitched in Aaron’s cheek. “Why do you want to know?”
“Just answer the question.”
Aaron stared at Cato. “You told the police you were with me?”
“I was with you,” Cato said quietly. “And I didn’t tell the police. I didn’t give them your name, anyway.”
Aaron snorted. “So what’s this about? Coming here with a cop?”
“Just tell the truth about where you were,” Cato said.
Aaron pressed his lips together.
“Please,” Cato said.
