Page 24 of One Eye Open (The BlackWater)

“Maybe I do.” Maddie said and the girl laughed even louder then.

“We know he’s into some real dodgy shit, if you can help us, give us information then maybe we can help you in return.” Connor stated.

“What do you think would happen if I talk? You think you can help me? You’re delusional love.” The girl snapped.

“Look, here’s my card, just think about it okay. Marcus deserves to go away for a long time and you can help make that happen.” Maddie said holding the card out for the girl to take but she simply stared at it like it was some strange artifact she’d never even seen before.

“Just take the card. Maybe you don’t call, but maybe just maybe, after Marcus beats you for not bringing enough cash, or for answering back or something, then maybe then you might change your mind.”

The girl scowled but snatched the card from her.

“You lot are all the same.” She muttered. “You say you can help but you do nothing.”

“Who’s us lot?” Maddie asked.

“Cops.”

“I’m not a cop and if you let me I can actually help.” Maddie said before letting her go and the girl scarpered.

“Think she’ll do it? Think she’ll talk?” Connor asked as they watched her running down the street away from them.

“Not today but I think she will, once she thinks it over.” Maddie replied. It had been a risk taking this case. Max had said it, Cole had hinted it when she’d mentioned it. It wasn’t a glamourous case, there wasn’t lots of money to be had from a high playing client. This was literally stopping the worst of humanity from getting away with whatever they wanted because society didn’t want to notice it, didn’t want to see these people, acknowledge their existence. She just hoped the girl did talk because without her they had nothing.

“We calling it a night then?” Connor asked and she smirked.

“Got somewhere better to be?” She asked.

“Nowhere more important than work.” He replied and she snorted.

“That’s a lie if ever I heard one.” She said.

“Alright, it’s my girlfriends birthday, I was hoping to knock off earlier and surprise her.”

“Why didn’t you say? I could have asked someone else to tag along instead.” Maddie said as they walked back to the car.

“I didn’t want to let you down.” He replied.

“Let me down? I’m your boss Connor, in future if you have stuff like that going on and it’s not urgent then let me know. I’m not an arsehole.” She stated and he grinned.

“You’re not what I imagined you’d be.” He said and she frowned. He’d only been in the team two months, he was one of the later hires after they’d started proving they were successful.

“What did you imagine I’d be like?” She asked.

“I don’t know exactly, maybe a bit more of a bitch.” He said and she laughed.

“Do I give that impression?”

“Not exactly but then…” He trailed off, as if realising the words he was about to say.

“But what?” She asked.

“Well, they call you bulletproof for starters.” He said and she gave a chuckle at his misunderstanding. The nickname had annoyed her at first, especially because she wasn’t bulletproof, the damn bullet had literally ripped into her leg but after a while she’d learnt to ignore it and now it almost made her laugh. Almost.

“You know that’s a joke right? That’s because I got shot.” She stated.

“Yeah but you can be pretty intimidating.” He added and she bit her lip not to full out laugh.

“I’m not a bitch Connor. And I’m not the kind of boss you can’t approach, who you can’t ask for things.” She said and he nodded.

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