Come the Fear by Chris Nickson Read Free Book Online

came to nought. They knew no more than they had in the beginning, and there were other, pressing matters, petty things that took time and attention.
    Still, it gnawed at him, the way every killing he hadn’t been able to solve stuck inside. Her murderer was still in Leeds. Maybe he thought he was free, maybe guilt woke him in the middle of every night and left him glancing over his shoulder everywhere he walked. He wanted the chance to find him and look for the secrets in his eyes.
    The Constable had been on the other side of the river. Thieves had struck the grand house of a merchant on Meadow Lane, taking silver plate and coins, a pretty return for a few minutes’ work.
    They’d come in the night, worked quickly and silently not to wake the household. In all likelihood someone inside had helped them; he’d send the deputy over later to talk to the servants. A word, a hesitation, a look: that would be all it took.
    The day had a pleasant spring warmth, the early April sun comfortable rather than overpowering. As he passed a bush a small flock of sparrows wheeled away in a brief rustling of leaves and beating of wings. He dawdled across the bridge back into Leeds, leaning on the parapet for a while, gazing down at the light shimmering on water and letting his thoughts drift away. The voice roused him.
    â€˜Mr Nottingham.’
    He turned to look at the thief taker. He’d heard nothing of the man since he’d come and introduced himself, and was surprised to find him still here.
    â€˜Mr Walton,’ he acknowledged. ‘Did you ever find the people you needed?’
    â€˜No.’ Walton frowned. ‘If they were ever here at all they’d long gone by the time I arrived. I couldn’t find a sniff of them.’
    â€˜I’d have expected you to be back in London, then.’
    â€˜I’ve been thinking I might stay here a while.’
    â€˜Oh?’ The Constable was astonished. ‘You like Leeds?’
    The man shrugged. ‘I’ve lived in worse places. And there’s no thief taker here,’ he added.
    â€˜Maybe we haven’t had need of one,’ Nottingham suggested wryly. ‘We catch the people who break the law and deal with them.’
    â€˜Maybe,’ Walton agreed with a small dip of his head. ‘But there’s money to be had reuniting people with property taken from them.’
    â€˜As long as it’s all legally done,’ the Constable said, leaving his meaning clear.
    The thief taker gave a short, cold smile. ‘Ask after me in London. I’m an honest man. “A good name is better than precious ointment.” That’s what it says in the Bible, and that’s how I live, Constable.’
    â€˜I don’t doubt your honesty,’ Nottingham told him. The man’s gaze was dark and intense. ‘Just don’t hinder us in our work.’
    â€˜Of course.’
    â€˜You think you can make a living?’
    â€˜I do,’ Walton replied with conviction. ‘I’ve been listening to people talk. Seems there’s plenty of need for my services here. Things vanish, things are stolen, things that might not be reported that people will pay to have returned.’
    â€˜That sounds very close to the edge of the law, Mr Walton,’ the Constable said slowly.
    The thief taker shook his head and glanced down at the water. ‘Quite legal, Constable. It’s a good trade in London.’
    â€˜We’re not London.’
    â€˜You’re like any other provincial city,’ he said with contempt. ‘You look to London and wish.’
    Nottingham turned and looked at him. ‘Do we?’
    Walton smiled, showing the dark gaps in his teeth. ‘You do. And people here have their secrets, too.’
    â€˜I’d be very careful if I were you, Mr Walton. You don’t know us here.’
    â€˜Not yet, perhaps,’ he conceded. ‘But I’ve been watching and learning. I have an